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Bronxville Residents Celebrate Century-Old Nativity Scene Tradition

BRONXVILLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- In an annual Christmas tradition that started more than a century ago, Bronxville residents staged a live reenactment of the Nativity Thursday night – complete with live animals.

As CBS2's Valerie Castro reported, the actors all had their own narratives for the living Nativity.

"I'm riding in on a donkey and going to give birth to the baby Jesus," said Celia Haims, who played the Virgin Mary.

"They asked me if i want to be Joseph; I'm like, sure, why not?" said Bobby Martin, who played Joseph.

"I'm the manger angel and I sit with Mary in the manger with the baby," added Bella Rodriguez, 9, who played the manger angel.

The Bronxville Christmas pageant is an annual community tradition, held outside of the Bronxville Reform Church. This is the 101st year the pageant has come together, with the help of seven churches throughout the Westchester County community.

Real animals, including a donkey and camel were called in to make the scene feel authentic, and the shepherds had their own flock of sheep.

Religious leaders from the seven Bronxville churches read bible verses to narrate the story.

"It's a warm moment for people to just be still and enjoy the season, and one another, and their families," said the Rev. Ken Ruge of the Reformed Church of Bronxville.

A live band played the sounds of the holiday season – all of it a community effort and celebration.

"It's special, because all elements of the community come together to make it happen," said co-organizer Sarah Normand.

"It's very special," said Patricia Wahl of Bronxville. "Like I said, it's our first year here in Bronxville, and we've never seen anything like this before."

And of course, it was an opportunity to residents to say merry Christmas to one another and all.

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