The Chickens of Bethlehem

One of the greatest things about living in a small town has to be the small town church community.  While we enjoy and thrive in our "big city mega church" it is always so refreshing to be back in a "country church" with the sweetest people.  We were blessed this weekend to attend church with Poppy and Dee Dee.  On Sunday morning, we attended their Christmas Cantata.  Little Beckett was sick but Eli got all dressed up in his favorite red boots to go to church with his Poppy.  

Aunt GG and Eli ready for the Cantata

Aunt GG did such a great job on her solo.   She wouldn't let me share the video here but she sang Blessings and brought tears to a lot of eyes especially in the wake of the Newtown tragedy.  Since she wouldn't let me share her version, I am posting a video of the song from Youtube.  It's a very popular contemporary Christian song and never fails to make my eyes water.



When we got home,  Beckett was feeling much much better.  In fact, his Daddy had given him a special bath in Dee Dee's "cool tub" and he was ready to go again. 

The boys were asked to be in the annual children's Christmas play at the church.  This is definitely something we miss about the small town community church.  Not a huge production. Just a simple re-enactment of the nativity scene.  Beckett and Eli's big first role?  Chickens! 

The chickens with Joseph

You can tell from this video that they took their role very serious...




I thought we were in REAL trouble because I could not get these chickens to calm down.  But soon after it started they were "angels".  They did so good and were very wide eyed at all the activity.   The sweetest little chicken faces I have ever seen.

Joseph and Mary

The stable

Waiting on their turn

Beckett chick and Joseph

The scene from Bethlehem

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.   Luke 2:1-20

Love,
The Riley's