The Nativity, Batt style

Liz, Dave and Emmitt playing Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus!

Two of our angels: Alison and Becca!

Our wise men- James, Grant, William, and Tanner!  This was the best picture we got of them!

The dashing shepherds- Blake, Wayne, Tyler and Mike!

The cutest sheep ever- Mason Batt.

Alison, Becca, Heather, Brazilian friend, and Anne.

Our fearless narrator- Grandpa Batt!

Our fearless storyteller- Grandma Batt read the story and then gave each family their own copy of it! 

It's fun having a big family where everyone is excited to dress up (even friends from Brazil) and act out the best story ever told!  Since the part of baby Jesus was being played by none other than our own sweet newborn, Emmitt, Dave and I were blessed to play Joseph and Mary.  I have such a love and respect for Mary.  She traveled about 100 miles right before her due date, gave birth in a stable, and raised the Son of God!  She was truly an elect woman!  Joseph was also an extraordinary man since he knew the baby Mary was carrying wasn't his and wasn't going to have her killed for it, was visited by an angel and was the "step" father to the Savior. What a weight of responsibility he must have felt! Needless to say we were excited to have our parts to play this year, especially since we'd played them for our ward party as well-but when "baby Jesus" was still inside of me!  We'd been so excited that we decided to sew costumes ourselves.  Thats what we're wearing in our picture.  Hope you enjoy reliving Christmas near Valentines day!!