A Walk Through Bethlehem

On Sunday night we had a very special experience as a family when we attended a local church's "Walk Through Bethlehem."  They had recreated a street in Bethlehem, with houses, shops and vendors, and people dressed up, to show what it would have been like at the time of Christ's birth.  It was amazing.

We waited in line to get into the city gate, and while we were waiting, each of us were given coins for food, lodging, and to pay our taxes.  When we got to the gate, two big Roman guards asked us our purpose in going to Bethlehem.  Grace and Liam told them we were there to be counted and to pay our taxes.  Then the guards asked which house we come from and when we told them "David," they let us in.  The street was lit with torches and candles and felt so realistic.   My camera is not great at night shots - I wish I had better pictures to really show how cool it was.

One of the guards.

Paying our taxes and signing the census.

Sam and Liam in a Bethlehem home.

We bought food with our coins at a bakery, where we bought flatbread, and also from another vendor, who was selling nuts and figs.  Sam even bought a cup of pea soup.

There was also a carpenter shop, jewelry, a Jewish church, and several inns.  One of the innkeepers  asked us if we had a place to stay that night and when we said yes, she said, "Oh, I'm so glad because we are all filled up."  All of the volunteers stayed in character and said "Salom" when we were finished talking to them.  There were animal stalls with real animals being "sold" - goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, and even a rabbit.

The neatest part was when Mary and Joseph came through the street, with Mary riding on a donkey.  When they got to the stable, we loved seeing the live nativity and everyone sang "Silent Night."  Everything felt so real that Liam asked if that was the real baby Jesus!

Afterwards, we went inside the church for cookies and cider.  In the gym, they had people dressed in costumes doing dances from that time and a man with a loom weaving cloth.  

It was a really neat experience for our family - definitely another Christmas tradition.