Walk Through Bethlehem @ St. John United Methodist Church

We have been busy traveling. In fact, we journeyed to Bethlehem earlier this evening! I read in the paper that a nearby church holds an annual "Walk Through Bethlehem" event, so we decided to check it out.

On the way there, we were at a four-way stop when a truck with a big ol' animal trailer turned in front of us, headed in the direction of the church. I said something like, "There go the animals on their way to Bethlehem." We kind of laughed about it, but sure enough ... it was the animals, and we followed them straight to Judea, to the town of David.


We got there just a smidge early and waited for just a bit for the imaginary gates to open. ;o) The guards informed us that when the music started it was OK to proceed through the city. As folks walked through the entrance, they were asked to sign (or to at least make a mark on) the scroll register, as there is a census being taken, you know.


Townsfolk offering bread


Wool


Furs and such. (Don't tell PETA!)


Here are some of the Hebrew children in a school setting.


Another one of the scenes on the walk though the city


We followed a lighted path around the church building. We were some of the first people to venture that way, and as we walked by, an airplane flew overhead. It was kind of low--and loud. At that time, one of the church folks said, "Did you see the angels?" I thought he was being in character and acting like the airplane was a big angel or a host of angels--LOL! So I was like, "Yeah, we sure did!" Tanna was rolling his eyes, I'm sure, because the man was talking about the angels on top of the church proclaiming the birth of Christ as beautiful music played.

The angels were Kate's absolute favorite. She has an angel book that Aunt Robin gave her when she was born, and she loves to look at the pictures and point out the angels. As we walked away--and all the way home--she kept saying, "Bye-bye, angels." So sweet.


The path continued on, leading us to the Nativity. It warmed my heart to hear Kate say "Jesus" when I asked her the baby's name.


They went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. --Matthew 2:9-10


Overview of the Nativity


The donkey. I didn't get a picture of the sheep or goats.


The camel--Tanna kept telling Kate that it was Joe Cool. He even got her saying it. Nice.

Walk Through Bethlehem runs tomorrow night and Sunday night, too. It is all outside, FYI, but it is fine with a jacket. You can get through it pretty quickly if you want, or you can linger and enjoy the scenes more. :o)

Here are some links for more information:

http://www.fieldtripswithsue.com/2009/11/walk-through-bethlehem_30.html

http://stjohnatlanta.org/cgi-bin/p/awtp-home.cgi?d=st-john-united-methodist-church