Mike and Deb Worm hosted "Christmas In A Barn" at their farm south of Webber last Wednesday evening and again Sunday afternoon and evening. "We want to give people a better idea of what it was really like long ago when the Christ Child was born," Mike said.

With the congregation seated on straw bales, Sunday afternoon the program opened with prayer, the donkey braying and the congregation laughing.

Deb and Mike Worm have annually hosted "Christmas in the Barn" for many years. For some performances the donkey is quiet, for others it has brayed. Sunday afternoon the donkey participated several times by braying as the program opened and again during a Christmas carol. It always brings big smiles. Above, Christine Watson, Hardy, relates to the donkey prior to the program.

Matt Ehlers directed the service by reviewing the Biblical details of the birth of Christ. At appropriate times, Mary and Joseph enter and place the babe in a manger. Later, the shepherds join them and finally the magi. Scatter throughout the message, the congregation sang traditional Christmas carols.

Members of the cast were as follows: Jillian Worm - Mary, Colten McCutchan - Joseph, Sawyer Rugg and Seth Vacek - shepherds, Angie Ehlers, Morgan Rugg and Natalie Linscomb - magi and Camille Rugg, Brenely McCary and Cabrie Linscomb were angels. Communities represented by the cast include Superior, Burr Oak, Formoso, Webber and Davenport.

Worms planned to host the event four times this season, but were hesitant Sunday to commit to the Wednesday evening program as the forecast predicted subzero temperatures and high winds.

After the program, everyone was invited to an outside tent like enclosure heated with a propane shop heater. There hot beverages and cookies were available and people encouraged to sit awhile on hay bales and visit.