Gurnee church hosts Breakfast with Baby Jesus

Instead of Breakfast with Santa, families celebrated Christmas with a Breakfast with Baby Jesus Saturday at Immanuel Church in Gurnee.

Mothers of Preschoolers sponsored the third-year event, which featured a waffle breakfast for more than 300 people, while at least 50 congregation members portrayed characters from the story of the birth of Jesus, wandering through the tables, interacting with children. Families got their photo taken with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.

"You can have breakfast with Santa anywhere but here you get baby Jesus," said Linda Schultz, an event organizer, adding that families post selfies on Facebook with baby Jesus.

Dozens of preschoolers sang on stage, children made nativity scene crafts and a play told the story of the nativity.

Immanuel Church has almost 1,000 members and is on North Dilley Road in Gurnee.