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Walk Thru Bethlehem takes visitors back to Jesus' birth
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Published: November 28, 2008
Now that Thanksgiving 2008 is history, I would like to suggest an event that could be a gentle reminder of what Christmas is all about.
The event is called Walk Thru Bethlehem. This year the Walk Thru Bethlehem will be at Camp Wesley, situated on Deal road (named Linwood Road at its starting point), outside of Mooresville. The outdoor presentation is a holiday family event provided free of charge to the community. The outdoor drama takes you through Bethlehem's marketplace to the living nativity and beyond.
I would like to take a moment to explain my own involvement in the program. As I watched last year's Mooresville Christmas Parade, I was handed a flyer for the Walk Thru Bethlehem program. I thought "This is interesting ... it would be something good for my own church to be involved with or to attend." I never went.
I hate to admit it but I completely forgot about the program until it was over in the spring. It was then I received a call from the coordinator of Walk Thru Bethlehem, Carol Welch. She was inquiring about the walk using the facilities at Camp Wesley, of which I serve as president. The event had previously been held at a location in Mooresville that appeared to be unavailable this year. My thoughts immediately went back to the Mooresville parade and the flyer I was handed. I then began to realize the Lord was preparing the way for this "joint venture." The arrangements were worked out and the fifth annual Walk Thru Bethlehem will be here before you know it.
Groups will be led through the city of Bethlehem on the night of Jesus' birth. Guests are brought to the city gates as the host explains that they are about to enter the city of Bethlehem thousands of years ago. This is done amidst the reading of the decree of Caesar Augustus that all must be taxed by a Roman official. The host then explains a little of the culture and circumstance regarding this small Judean village.
After passing through the gates, visitors can glimpse the main street of the city with shops, villagers, travelers and of course the occupying Roman army. Guests are introduced to a guide, who is persuaded to lead these visitors from a far, far country into the city and perhaps locate for them a place of lodging. Beginning with the tax collector setting the stage of the oppression the Jewish people, under an occupying Roman military, visitor's wind their way along the street built to resemble an ancient market.
Each shop along the market is a scene including an interaction with the town gossip who informs you of an unmarried pregnant woman who claims to be a virgin.
The people of Bethlehem you meet weave a story that leads to the shepherds in the fields. After a visit from the heavenly host you and your group find the Christ child as promised.
Admission is free and the Walk will go two weekends. Experience it with us from 6-9 p.m. Friday and Dec. 12, and from 4-9 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 13. Camp Wesley is situated at 3090 Deal Road in Mooresville. For more information and pictures of last year's event, please visit www.
walkthrubethlehem.org or call (704) 763-4700. Hope to see you in Bethlehem!
The Rev. Trent Patterson is
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