JERSEY: “Silent night, holy night”
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By Carissa Sitki
Live nativity scenes are a phenomenon that I’ve gone my whole life without experiencing, that is, up until last weekend. Not only had I never attended an event like it, I didn’t even know this was a thing that existed.
As a first-time attendee to a live nativity scene, I must say it was a really beautiful experience. On Sunday, members of the Fieldon United Church of Christ and Fieldon Baptist dressed up and depicted the night of Christ’s birth. The groups sang Christmas carols and truly brought the spirit of the season to life outside of the Fieldon Masonic Lodge.
Up until that night, I was yet to feel any sort of holiday spirit. As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, I typically don’t participate in the Christmas-y celebration until I can hear sleigh bells. Once Christmas eve rolls around, I’ll toss on a reindeer sweater, sit by the tree with a cup of cocoa, and sing “Silent Night” ’till Santa comes down the chimney, but before that, I’m a bit of an Ebenezer Scrooge type.
However, I really felt that indescribable spirit of Christmas in Fieldon on Sunday. There was something so moving about seeing people dressed up like Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and Wise Men. They sang Christmas carols beside an enclosure that held donkeys, cows, and even a camel. They really set the scene and brought the story of Christ’s birth to life.
Aside from the entertainment, the event also had chili, hot dogs, and other refreshments. Now I’m not sure if that’s the type of cuisine they ate in Bethlehem at that time, but hey, it was the perfect meal for a cold fall night and I can never pass up on a good bowl of chili. It was delicious and the cherry on top of an already lovely evening.
Now that I’ve attended a live nativity, I would absolutely recommend going to one to see the magic for yourself. It seems as if they do them all over during the weeks leading up to Christmas, so grab your loved ones, or just yourself, and find one in your area. You’re sure to have a great time.
Live nativities are definitely something I hope to see more of in my life, since I nearly missed out on this wonderful tradition.
