PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Christmas Eve in Old City featured two different reenactments of the humble beginnings of Christmas.

The family service at Christ Church featured a children’s Christmas pageant. Kids, dressed as angels and sheppards, recreated the scene of the birth of Jesus in front of proud parents and family members. Reverend Timothy Safford says the pageant is done on the fly every year.

“We tell them that they all can be members of Christ Church and rather than rehearse it ahead of time, we just kind of create this Christmas pageant right on the spot and let everyone be in it,” said Safford.

Just a few blocks away, Old First Reformed United Church of Christ held their annual Live Nativity Scene in the frigid cold.

Nancy, from Haddon Township, says this tradition signifies the true reason for the season.

“It’s a time of reflection, a time of Thanksgiving, a time of wonder.” When asked about the tradition of gift giving during the holidays, Nancy said, “No, no not at all, this is the real Christmas.”

Reported by Tim Jimenez, KYW Newsradio