'It Came Upon a Midnight Clear'

There was quite a bit of excitement about the camels. But even with live animals stealing the show -- as they often do -- the message of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" came through as clear as the frosty night when First Baptist Church of Maryville gave their seasonal gift to the community.

"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" is a free Living Nativity show presented every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. until 8:30 last Saturday and Sunday at the Greenbelt Pavilion. A cast of actors and live animals -- included camels, sheep and burros -- portray the events leading up to Christmas Day when Jesus was born. This is the sixth year for the show, which involves, in some way, more than 75 members of First Baptist Church of Maryville.

Each 20 minute performance featured the Christmas story. Refreshments were served throughout the evening at the pavilion and each family received a gift as a remembrance of the special evening. The Living Nativity was free, with free parking, and time between performances for visitors to meet with the cast and visit with the animals.

Darrell Watkins attended the event for Blount Today and took these photos.