Bethlehem comes to life through local church production

Guests loaded onto a hay wagon and were taken to “Nazareth” just in time to see Joseph’s sister Ruthie come running into his wood working shop and asking so many questions about when the baby will come. As she runs back out to play with her friends, a rider is spotted galloping into town. 

Everyone hustles out of the way just as a Roman solider rides into town and pounds Ceaser’s decree in the town square. After he leaves, Joseph reads the decree and is very troubled because of what it means for him and especially Mary.

The guests then walk a short distance to “Bethlehem.” As they arrive, two girls are at the city gate talking about how many guests have come into town. One of them says that her father’s inn is so full and there is no more room. The guests move into the bustling little town just as a family approaches the inn. He asks for a place to stay for his young family but the innkeeper says he has absolutely no room and has even had to turn away a man and his wife who was soon expecting a child. As the family turns to go and the guests are invited to browse the little shops in town. Shopkeepers begin calling out their wares the children play in the town square. There are many shops for the guests to visit...a leather worker, fish market, spice shop, fruit and vegetable stand, basket weaver, textile shop with live sheep and small lamb, and a bread/cheese stand and the occasional Roman solider creating a stir.

The next stop is a short walk from Bethlehem to a quiet place where the shepherds are talking. As they are talking and discussing the events at Bethlehem, suddenly they see a bright light and many angels. The angel tells them that the Messiah is born and they will find him in a manger.

The angels sing a song and the shepherds quickly rush away to find this child.

The guests follow the shepherds to a stable where they find Joseph and Mary and the child in a manger. Joseph sings a song and the shepherds join in. Sometimes the sheep and donkey join in as well. After the song the shepherds begin asking questions and want to know why this child was born here. The guests load back onto the wagon and are told the why Christ came and the plan of redemption.

The final scene is three crosses and an empty tomb. Peter stands alone at the foot of the cross and sings. As he sings the chorus, the empty tomb lights up.

The guests are then taken back to the Faith Menonite Church and served snack.