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Celebration Of Family, Friends And Faith On Christmas Eve

By Tim Jimenez

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Christmas Eve services took place all around the Delaware Valley Tuesday, including at historic Christ Church in Old City -- where the kids were the stars of the show.

"It's really wonderful," Christ Church Reverend Kate Spelman says. "It's a service of light and laughter and lots and lots of noise."

Spelman calls this annual family service her favorite. Kids come dressed as angels, shepherds and sheep, acting out the humble beginnings of Christmas.

One of the shepherds was seven-year-old Bryce.

"I'm really excited because Santa is coming and I'm going to have a big dinner tonight."

But Bryce says he knows why he and Christians all around the world are really celebrated

"It's Jesus' birth."

Each year, Jesus is played by the little member of the church born closest to Christmas. This time it was Alexander Pohlig -- his mom Alison playing Mary and his proud dad Dan playing Joseph.

"He was born a month ago and it's one of the greatest things that's ever happened to us," says Dan. "And this is a great Christmas present."

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(From left to right) Rev. Kate Spelman, Alison Fritz, Dan Pohlig --holding Alexander. (Credit: Time Jimenez)

Sure Alexander was asleep the whole time, but Dan says it's a day they'll all never forget:

"For him, someday, to be able to look back and say, 'yes, I got to play Baby Jesus in the Christmas pageant,' will be a great memory for him."

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