It was a beautiful day in Middle Tennessee today, and was a perfect day to enjoy two outdoor Christmas events.
Our day started out with Miracle on Music Row — a Christmas dog parade in support of canine adoption. The parade was led by a marching band and Santa, and we were among at least 100 dog owners marching their pooches down Music Row. Buddy and Holly weren’t quite sure what to think at first, but they soon fell in line with their canine counterparts and enjoyed the hundreds of sights and smells of Edgehill and Music Row. It was a beautiful day for a walk, and a fun activity for the dogs as well! After the parade there was a ginormous line for pictures with Santa, and live music, but we had our eye on something else . . .
And at most good and free Nashville events there is usually a food truck, and indeed Riff’s was there! We got to try a couple of new-to-us items: the Choi burger (a burger with Korean spices, BBQ sauce, cilantro slaw, salsa verde, and a fried egg with a side of sweet potato fries) and Jerk Chicken Mac-n-Cheese, which combined two of my Riff’s favorites. We got it to go and brought it home, and LOVED every bite. Riff’s consistently gets better and better.
After sleeping off the Riff’s mac-n-cheese carb coma, we went to the 50th annual neighborhood nativity in our subdivision. This was the first year that we were actually able to make it, and we hope to never miss another year. According to other attendees, the event started with some children who put on a nativity play for their parents. The next year, they invited their friends. And then more neighbors came. And 50 years later, it is still a simple but stunning production. We huddle together outdoors. Scripture is read. We sing Christmas carols that accompany the story — even ones that actually include Jesus in them. And then as a neighborhood, we prayed together. Then everyone is invited into their beautiful farmhouse for refreshments and fellowship. There were donkey rides for the kids. Live animals to pet, and to play characters in the production. There was an abundance of Christmas cheer. Over 100 people came. It was gloriously politically incorrect. We loved every minute, and love our neighborhood even more.
The fifth day of Christmas is definitely one to remember!
Where in the World Are Our Kids? 
Sounds like a perfect day to me!
Next year, I hope your kids get to ride the donkeys! 🙂