DECATUR - Robes flowing and staffs in hand, the shepherds came with their sheep, which wore brown paper grocery sacks adorned with cotton balls.

The angels, wearing halos of gold or silver, sang a heavenly chorus. Even the camel chimed in, along with Mary and Joseph, the innkeeper and the star. The jewel-crowned kings, several of them, came bearing gifts.

The 90 or so kindergarteners and first-, second- and third-graders of Holy Family School went to local nursing homes Monday, costumed and ready, to bring residents "Beneath a Shining Star," a story of the birth of Christ. They also brought along their own set, inn and manger in tow.

"Aren't they something?" asked Vivian Burns at Fair Havens Christian Home, beaming at the children as they filed past her to begin telling their story.

Play director Christine Smith, who teaches preschool at Holy Family, singled out each grade for a performance, while Lauryn Pugh, a first-grader, narrated in the role of stage manager and "star."

With the most lines to deliver, Lauryn said, "I like it a lot because it's a lot of fun."

However, Lauryn, 6, said there was more to their play than fun. "It's what the true meaning of Christmas is."

The students had three performances Monday and had previously performed at two other schools, as well as in Holy Family Church, Smith said.

"They are amazing," Smith praised. They wing it and pull it off, and it works."

"It was a good time," Margery Buckles agreed.

The Fair Havens resident, who had been singing along, added: "They could really sing."

Arlene Mannlein can be reached at amannlein@herald-review.com or at 421-6976.