Every December, the railroads in Evergreen County retold the Nativity story in their own way.

In the first town on this train line, the platform filled up with passengers dressed as the Holy Family. Couples dressed up as Mary and Joseph and carried their babies dressed in swaddling clothes.

A first large engine came by. It didn’t even stop. The engineer hollered, “We have no room for you! There is no room in the INN-gine (engine).” A second large engine came by. It didn’t stop either. “We have no room for you! There is no room in the INN-gine.”

Elijah the train engineer always drove the third engine, which pulled four empty passenger cars. Elijah brought his engine to a stop by the platform and yelled “Plenty of room here! All aboard!” Oliver was the conductor and he stepped out of the train onto the platform and directed all the passengers to get into the first passenger car, which was decorated with “Merry Christmas” signs.

The bell rang. Clang-clang-clang! The train began to slowly move forward. Chug-chug! It began to move faster. Choo-choo!

The train now had one car filled with passengers. It raced forward until it came to the next town. Elijah brought it to a stop right next to the platform and yelled “All aboard!” Here, many passengers were dressed as angels of the Lord that told the shepherds the Good News. Oliver once again stepped onto the platform and directed all of the angels to board the second car that was decorated with halos and wings.

The bell rang. Clang-clang-clang! The train began to slowly move forward. Chug-chug! It began to move faster. Choo-choo!

The train now had two cars filled with passengers. It raced forward until it came to the next town. Elijah again brought it to a stop right next to the platform and yelled “All aboard!” Here, many passengers were dressed as shepherds holding their staffs. Oliver again stepped onto the platform and directed all of the shepherds to board the third car that was decorated with picture of sheep and goats.

The bell rang. Clang-clang-clang! The train began to slowly move forward. Chug-chug! It began to move faster. Choo-choo!

The train now had three cars filled with passengers. It raced forward until it came to the next town. Elijah again brought it to a stop right next to the platform and yelled “All aboard!” Here, many passengers were dressed as wisemen carrying either gold, frankincense, or myrrh. Oliver stepped onto the platform and directed all of the wisemen to board the fourth car that was decorated with pictures of expensive gifts.

The bell rang. Clang-clang-clang! The train began to slowly move forward. Chug-chug! It began to move faster. Choo-choo!

The train now had all four cars filled with passengers. It raced forward until it came to the next town. Elijah brought it to a stop right next to the platform and yelled “Last stop!” Oliver directed all of the costumed passengers to disembark their cars and enter the big stadium that was across the street.

The field of the stadium was made into the town of Bethlehem. Small houses, caves, animals, and stables were everywhere. The costumed passengers formed themselves into several caroling groups and joined in the large First Christmas Party.

After their train was empty, Elijah and Oliver then got it ready for the return trip home. After that, they too walked across the street to the party. They enjoyed seeing the buildings of the town of Bethlehem. They even joined in on a few carols.

After a while, they headed back to their train and waited for their passengers to board. It was a quiet ride home as many of the passengers fell asleep. Elijah and Oliver took care of them all and made sure that they all got home safely. It was a wonderful celebration of the First Christmas.