It was cold, it was always cold when we did this. A damp, penetrating cold that was so different from home, and I had been standing here awhile. I stared out into the dark night at the few brave souls who had come to sit on hay bales and watch. A breeze blew my white robes around me, and I was glad I had my Carhart coat and extra leggings under my jeans. I was really wishing I had my coveralls too, but I didn’t. The coveralls were at home and I was at college.

I stood to the side and on a slight hill above a makeshift shed we had built on the library lawn at Oklahoma State University. I was in the angel band. Or, maybe the band of angels - however you want to say it. We stood looking out over the shed, central lawns of the university, and off toward the nighttime traffic as the rest of the nativity played out before us. The big speakers we had running with a background script had just told the onlookers how the angel band had appeared to the shepherds, scared the daylights out of them, and then sent them to the shed below. The shepherds lead lambs on halters we had borrowed from some 4-H kids. Luckily, the lambs didn’t balk too much and acted willing to go along. I am sure they were wondering why in the world they had to be out on this cold December night sheared of their wool as they were. Then came the wisemen, from the east of course, and on horseback. They were all smart enough to have their coveralls. They played the part with leather leggings, and big crowns over their cowboy hats. The three of them rode across the beautiful lawns and down the slight hill to the shed. (We would have to clean up after them later). The horses weren’t too proud of the donkey they found there, but the wisemen were capable enough to make it look normal. And then nativity was complete once we, the angels, moved in a bit closer.

Several months and years of Biblical history played out in about 30 minutes to about 10 people. Maybe not a traditional nativity, but we all celebrate this day with our own flavor, and that’s what matters. We did what came natural to us. We did this to celebrate and remember why Christmas is important. You see, at the center of that shack, surrounded by poorly dressed people and completely unrealistic livestock was the representation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born into the world as a human baby, and He had come to set his people free. We wanted to remember. We wanted to celebrate. We did. Amen.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)