The children quickly dressed and got in the car. Mom drove cautiously1 through the snow and the children wondered what she was going to show them. It was the same route they drove for their music lessons but then Mom turned down a different street.
I found this place by accident as I went to pick you up from your music lessons. said Mom. She sTOPped the car in front of a house. The children were puzzled as to why she sTOPped.
What do you want us to see? asked Emily.
See the nativity scene in the corner of the yard? said Mom. It's just like a real stable. Let's go look at it.
I'm staying inside. said Bradley.
I want to see it. said Emily.
I'll race you there! said Brian.
The children ran to the stable.
Brian knocked on the boards. Mom, it's real wood.
Yes, someone took a lot of time and care to build this. said Mom.
But it doesn't have Mary or Joseph statues. said Brian.
Do you feel like pretending? asked Mom.
Yes, yes! cried Emily and Brian.
Let's pretend we're back in the olden days when Jesus was born. said Mom. Emily, go get your doll and put it in the manger. You can be Mary. Brian, get the window scraper from the car. That will be your cane2 and you can be Joseph and I'll be the innkeeper. Who remembers how the story goes?
I do! yelled3 excited Brian. Dad read us that story before he left on his trip. Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem to get sentenced.
Mom laughed. No Brian, I think you mean for the census4. Do you know what that means?
I can't remember. said Brian.
That means that the government wanted to find out how many people lived in the country. said Mom. Go on with the story.
Mary and Joseph have to stay overnight5 but all the hotels are full. said Brian.
And Mary is going to have a baby, right Mom? said Emily.
That's right. Very good, you remember. said Mom. Okay, here is my hotel. Lights, cameras, action!
中文：
（续）孩子们非常快穿好衣服钻进车里。母亲在布满积雪的路上小心地开着，孩子们不了解她想让他们看什么。开车走的是他们去上音乐课的路，但母亲在另一个街道拐弯了。
我是在接送你们上音乐课时偶然发现这个地方的。母亲说，并在一座房屋前面停了下来。孩子们迷惑不解，不知她为何把车停在这儿。
你想让大家看什么呀？艾米丽问。
看到院子角落里那个基督诞生的场景了吗？母亲说。它看着就像一间真的的马厩。大家过去看看。
我就待在车里。布拉德利说。
我想看看。艾米丽说。
我也跟着去！布赖恩说。
孩子们跑向马厩。
布赖恩敲敲木板，母亲，真的是木头耶！
是的，有人花了很久和心血来建造它。母亲说。
但没圣母马利亚和约瑟的雕像。布赖恩说。
你们想饰演吗？母亲问。
想，想啊！艾米丽和布赖恩都叫道。
大家来饰演回到耶稣诞生的古时候。母亲说，艾米丽，把你的洋娃娃放在马槽里，你饰演马利亚。布赖恩，从车里拿来窗户刮板，用来作你的藤杖，你演约瑟。我就是店主。哪个记得故事的情节？
我记得！开心的布赖恩嚷道。父亲在出发前给大家说过那个故事。马利亚和约瑟去伯利恒（耶路撒冷南方六英里一市镇，耶稣诞生地）同意刑罚。
母亲笑了：噢，不对，布赖恩。我觉得你说的是人口普查。你了解这的意思是吗？
不记得了。布赖恩说。
就是说政府想了解一共有多少人住在这个国家。母亲说。继续讲下去。
马利亚和约瑟需要得过夜，但所有些旅店都住满了。布赖恩说。
马利亚就要生孩子了。对吧，母亲？艾米丽说。
对，很好。你记得非常了解。母亲说。呶，这儿就是我的旅店。灯光，摄像机，开拍！（待续）
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