We decided to do something special for our first Christmas Eve in Belgium. To start off the evening, we went to a candlelight service over at Kleine Brogel. It was an evening of fellowship, singing, and yummy treats for all! After the service, we headed out for more holiday fun. 
The town of Bocholt was holding a traveling live nativity on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I'd never heard of anything like this, so I really wanted to check it out. It was very cool! 
The Romans led a procession through the streets of Bocholt...some were on foot, and others were on their trusty steeds. Despite what history tells us, they were a friendly bunch. 
The pilgrimage ended at the city gates. The Romans opened the gates and let the people into the city. The entire evening was narrated in Nederlands (Dutch). The story is the traditional one, so you can pretty much figure out what's going on. Surprisingly, all of the songs that the choir sang at the end of the night were in English. We appreciate that. 
This is Mary and Joseph, being told not too kindly that there was just no room at the Inn. The program was very impressive. You moved from one scene to the next in the centrum of town. There were little fires here and there, so you could stop for a little bit and warm up if you felt the need. The program was over a little before 10 pm, and then the Roman guards led the people into the church for the evening service. We took a peek inside, but didn't stay for the service. Churches are so beautiful here. The amount of hand carved details inside is amazing! Back home and into bed we went, dreaming of Santa coming to make his deliveries...
We had a fantastic Christmas morning. I'll spare you the pictures of everyone in their jammies. The kids were thrilled with their yearly haul, and are now playing games and enjoying their spoils. The scent of baking ham fills the air, and we are all anticipating our big Christmas meal. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a glorious New Year! If 2009 was half as great for you as it was for us, then you are very blessed indeed!
The pilgrimage ended at the city gates. The Romans opened the gates and let the people into the city. The entire evening was narrated in Nederlands (Dutch). The story is the traditional one, so you can pretty much figure out what's going on. Surprisingly, all of the songs that the choir sang at the end of the night were in English. We appreciate that. 
This is Mary and Joseph, being told not too kindly that there was just no room at the Inn. The program was very impressive. You moved from one scene to the next in the centrum of town. There were little fires here and there, so you could stop for a little bit and warm up if you felt the need. The program was over a little before 10 pm, and then the Roman guards led the people into the church for the evening service. We took a peek inside, but didn't stay for the service. Churches are so beautiful here. The amount of hand carved details inside is amazing! Back home and into bed we went, dreaming of Santa coming to make his deliveries...We had a fantastic Christmas morning. I'll spare you the pictures of everyone in their jammies. The kids were thrilled with their yearly haul, and are now playing games and enjoying their spoils. The scent of baking ham fills the air, and we are all anticipating our big Christmas meal. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a glorious New Year! If 2009 was half as great for you as it was for us, then you are very blessed indeed!
The Nativity re-enactment sounds really wonderful. I wish we had something like that in my town here in Holland.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! You'll have to come to our area next Christmas and check it out in person. I understand it's an annual event. :0)
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