Emma Stern, 6, hugs Ranger the donkey as Sophie Stern, 3, and Cayden Nieto, 6, look on as they prepare for their live nativity at the Midland Church of the Brethren on Christmas Eve. This is the fourth year that the Stern family has put on the nativity in front of the church. Last year, Sophie played the baby Jesus but she outgrew the part and was a shepherd this year along with Emma and Cayden.