An Evening in Bethlehem - Family Style

It's one of our favorite family traditions,

and happens once a year at Christmastime.

Family gathers

for a fun and somewhat crazy

evening "in Bethlehem".

Mid-Eastern Cuisine is served.

Potato Latkes

6 large potatoes

1 medium onion

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 cup flour

Grate potatoes (preferably by hand). Remove excess liquid. Mix in other ingredients. Fry small spoonfuls until golden brown. Drain and serve hot.

Mediterranean Pita Sandwiches

1 and 1/4 pounds ground turkey

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried mint

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Combine ingredients, mix well, shape into 1 and 1/4 inch meatballs. In a sprayed skillet, cook meatballs for 8-10 minutes or until cooked through. Place 3 meatballs into pita half and top with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and cucumber dressing.

And after dinner, a family Nativity pageant...

This year, we drew our parts from "a hat".

One Narrator and One Photographer.

Mary

With Joseph and Baby Jesus.

Shepherds

Keeping watch over their flocks.

(This little shepherd was very tired, and rode her sheep to Bethlehem.)

And angels

declaring Tidings of Great Joy. (Don't even ask about David...)

It is our family's way of experiencing

the magic

that is Christmas.