Because on those two nights, a cast of 50 from Tweedsmuir Amateur Dramatic Society will re-enact the Christmas story.

Every other year, the Lukas family which owns Drumelzier Place Farm, near Broughton, clears out the farmyard to create the unique setting for the performances, complete with live donkey and farm animals.

One of the highlights is when Mary and Joseph – played by Carolyn and Brendan Emery – make their way across the fields on the donkey to the steading for the first scene.

This year, the couple’s own infant son, Ruaridh, will be filling the role of the baby Jesus.

The three shepherds will be seen warming their hands around a fire and all are as thrilled as the onlookers when the angel Gabriel appears magically in the night sky.

The play continues inside one of the farm sheds with humour and poignancy in equal measure.

Local minister Bob Milne plays Herod and, as well as the 50 local actors, an army of volunteers will be on hand to provide off-stage support. The idea for staging the production came from its director, Dhileas Lukas.

She told us: “I had the idea originally to stage the production because I knew the person whose father had written the script.

“It is the same script which is used for a similar performance in Fife and another one in Surrey each year,” Mrs Lukas told TheSouthern this week.

“I just felt it was a lovely way of celebrating Christmas, to get a lot of local people involved in telling the true story of Christmas.”

Mrs Lukas says over the years the production has been staged, the cast have had to contend with all sorts of weather. “Rain is the worst,” she said. “We don’t mind if it snows or is frosty – in fact it is wonderful if it is white with frost when ‘Mary’ and ‘Joseph’ make their way across the field for the opening scene.”

Rehearsals began in November and all those involved come from within a 10-mile radius of the farm.

“We are lucky to have a very talented group of actors and the whole thing is very moving,” added Mrs Lukas.

“Everyone who is involved or has been involved always say the same thing – that they have found it very uplifting to take part.

“I think it puts Christmas in perspective for people, telling the real story instead of it having to fight against all the over-commercialisation that we have today.”

This is a Christmas experience not to be missed, so don your winter woollies and wellies and come to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas tomorrow at 7.30pm and on Saturday at 5pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from the Eastgate Theatre, Broughton Village Store and Brydens Newsagents in Biggar or via the website: www.drumelzier nativityplay.co.uk Some may be available on the door.

Profits to The British Red Cross and Riding for the Disabled.