The LDS congregations out by the Seattle Temple have been doing this amazing over-the-top activity for the last few years called the Festival of the Nativities. It lasts four consecutive evenings. Last year I went and forgot a camera, and kicked myself afterwards because my verbal descriptions weren’t adequate in portraying said festival’s over-the-top-ness.
It’s essentially Seattle’s “Christmas on Temple Square,” intended for the general public to attend. I know many of you have been to “nativity festivals” in your wards and stakes, but trust me: DID IT INVOLVE A DISCO BALL IN THE CHAPEL? If not, then YOUR ACTIVITY WAS NOT THE SAME.
The disco ball was to provide a “falling snow” lighting effect over the ongoing live music, okay?
And the hallways! Even the hallways were gussied up! Who decorates a church hallway?
Who paints murals so the “Children’s Nativity Room” has a completely different look and feel from the main exhibits?
And let’s not forget the beautiful “Christ Room,” with an art gallery/diorama display with scenes from the Savior’s life. Here’s Wim & Katie in front of the “manger.”
And here they are peering down into the “tomb.” One of the festival hosts told me that this is the baptismal font on non-festival days.
There was also a “Movie Room” where guests could watch LDS-produced Christmas films, a children’s craft room, and a photo booth where families could dress up as Nativity characters and get a picture taken.
The plan was for all the kids to be in the picture, but Eleanor was off doing a scavenger hunt with a friend. Then Katie saw the Wise Men crowns and insisted on wearing one (“I the QUEEN!” ). So guess who had to be Mary?
Yeah, that’s something I hope to never do again.
And of course . . . the main nativity exhibit. Katie was especially interested in the “living” one with a real baby:
Eleanor and her friend posed in front of this giant version of the old pop-up that used to come with Primary manuals when I was a kid:
Meanwhile, William and I spent time finding and taking pictures of our personal favorites. Here’s what we picked out:
Casa Camisas 