"Not only was there no room in the inn, but there's also no room here in the barn," Mary Behrends said. "This is incredible."

   While winds whipped gently outside, 190 people watched the Burt Presbyterian Church's presentation of the Nativity Story. The staples of the story - Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, angels and shepherds - made appearances. Absent this year, however, were the three wise men bringing forth gifts to the baby Jesus.

   Instead, Rev. Glenn Wilson presented a new take on a character overlooked in the story of the Nativity, that of the innkeeper who permitted Joseph and Mary to reside in his stable as there was no room for them in the inn.

   Wilson focused the character on the sacrifices that were invited on him and his family in the future. Due to Herod's decree that all children under the age of 2 be murdered throughout Bethlehem, the innkeeper lost his sons, his wife as she tried to protect their son and his arm within the same year.

   He was also cursed to have few customers and only the companionship of dogs the rest of his life. As the innkeeper reflects on the tragedy, he talks with an older Jesus years after the event, who promises him eternal life through his death and resurrection and also promises the innkeeper a chance to be reunited with his family in the afterlife.

    Besides the program, Dianne Wilson lead the assembly in singing several carols, and vocal numbers were performed by members of the Presbyterian Youth Group.

   "When we purchased the acreage, we thought it would be perfect for doing a Christmas in the Barn program," Behrends said. "We saw an article a few years ago about someone who did something similar, and this prompted us to do something like it."

   With a staff of almost 16, including eight teenagers, three youth leaders and five or more adult workers working behind the scenes, this year's production went off without a hitch.

   Besides the actual presentation, Behrends said that they practiced twice before the event in the barn. Otherwise, starting in November, the group practiced several times at the church.

   "For us, the years flow right into the next," Behrends said. "We always think about the program and the Christmas program year round."

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  When it comes to future presentations at their residence, Behrends said that as long as God calls them to continue, they will do so.