SCENE 3: MARY AND JOSEPH TRAVEL TO A CROWDED BETHLEHEM

Dad: “At that time the King, Caesar Augustus, gave a command for everyone to be counted. It’s called a census, like what we’ve done this year in our country. But back then, in order to count everyone, they had to travel back to their hometowns to be counted. Mary was getting ready to have her very special baby. Even so, Mary and Joseph made the journey to the small town of Bethlehem.”

Dad: “The town of Bethlehem was bustling with visitors that had come to be counted in the census. The streets were crowded, the marketplaces were filled. There were so many people in Bethlehem, that Mary and Joseph could find no place to stay. Every innkeeper gave the same reply,”

Innkeeper: “I’m so sorry, there is no room here.”

Dad: “Until finally one innkeeper offered to let them stay in the only place he had available: his stable with the animals. But at least it would be warm and dry.”