Yesterday was the culmination of several weeks of planning for our Clear Springs Christmas party. We began early in the morning in setting up the rooms for the Journey to Bethlehem and the fancy Christmas decorating in the cultural hall. Decorating actually went pretty smoothly. It is amazing how it all comes together when you have tents and sheets. The Primary of the other ward had decorated the Primary room to look like a cave, and they graciously allowed us to use it. That was a perfect place for our nativity to end.
The Journey part of the evening was wonderful. I couldn't have been happier to see the Branch take it over. They made it very special. The rooms were great and the actors did a wonderful job. For me, the most special part of the night was watching the people in the nativity. The little girl who sang as Mary did a beautiful job in Portuguese and in English. She was precious. Then our Balthazar would come in. He had been traveling through our Bethlehem in search of the Savior. When he came into the nativity room, he would testify that he had found the Savior and that he had come to give his gifts. The spirit he brought into the room was amazing. One of the groups that came through had a sweet little four year old. She nearly broke away from her parents to be able to give a gift to the Christ child. It was so touching.
The carpenter testified of the goodness of Mary and Joseph and talked about how the families would come to be taxed but there was not room in his home for more family.
The Centurions were there to gather the information from those who had come to be taxed. 
Our Innkeeper was too busy to worry about the birth of the Savior. 
Our shepherd told of the star and the angels coming to herald the birth of the Savior. Our Sister missionaries served as guides to the travelers.
Our merchant was only interested in the money of the travelers and the riches of the Kings. King Herod pressured people to tell him where the Christ Child was. Only one child gave Him up!
I am so grateful to Malu for the beautiful job she did and the spirit she encouraged for the journey part. It was wonderful.
After being treated to the spiritual feast, the attendees were then given a physical feast. There were many wonderful dishes. I am amazed at how beautiful the presentation is. We probably had about 100 people at the party, young and old, members and those who do not belong to our Church, those who spoke Portuguese and those who did not. It was enjoyed by everyone who attended.
I don't have a picture of all those who worked so hard on the food and festive decorations but the family on the left was certainly a large part of it. I am grateful to them for their hard work and continued service to the Branch.
Our Young Women even got in on the act with Santa Claus.
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