Live nativity at First Baptist Church, Ypsilanti

Angela Verges/Contributor

It wasn’t Bethlehem, but luminarias along the sidewalk led to a manger scene at First Baptist Church in Ypsilanti. A crowd gathered to watch costumed actors who were part of the live nativity scene. Families listened as a narrator told about the true meaning of Christmas.

Mary and Joseph were in the manger along with baby Jesus and an angel. They were visited by shepherds and three kings. This is the story of Christmas that many families and churches retell at this time of year. At what age do kids learn that Christmas is more than toys and gift giving?

In a recent sermon, a pastor spoke about how people shorten the word Christmas and write it as X-mas. He said that people have taken “Christ” out of Christmas. I have also heard some people say that they don’t really celebrate Christmas because it has become too commercialized.

In the video presentation below from www.ksdk.com, kids tell their version of the story of Christmas.

What does Christmas mean to you?

Angela Verges is a writer and mother of two. She can be reached at awritersdream41@yahoo.com.