STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

A light snow fell as the Three Wise Men and their camels made their way through the crowd.

Wearing ornate robes instead of Bogner ski wear, they kept their eyes on the star in front of them until they came to a little manager set against the backdrop of Carbonate Mountain.

 And with that the story of Christ’s birth 2,000-plus years ago halfway around the world came alive in the Wood River Valley.

The Life Church in Hailey reenacted the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and of the birth of the baby that God sent to save the world on Sunday, just as they have done for several years excepting last year.

Shepherds tended live sheep as they heard of Christ’s birth. Mary rode into the scene aboard a donkey and the Angel Gabriel announced Christ’s birth in a shower of flashy special effects as angels sang all around him.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church will stage the nativity inside today during its Christmas Eve Services.

The Nativity Pageant will take place at 2 and 4 p.m. today—Friday, Dec. 24—at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Sun Valley Road.

Christmas Eve services without the Nativity will follow at 8 and 11 p.m.