We Visited Bethlehem Tonight

...and it was SPECTACULAR!

A coworker, Kathy invited me to come see her church's (Family Worship Center) reenactment of the Birth of Christ and of course I jumped at the opportunity. Last Spring, I was able to see the Crucifixion and Ascension of Christ reenacted by several churches over the Easter holiday and was so moved to tears that I embarrassed Darryl as always, but alas.

This reenactment was of course more celebratory as Rah and I waited in the gym area drinking hot chocolate, eating cookies, and listening to live music waiting to be taken to Bethlehem.

Rah & his hot chocolate



Family Worship Center Band

Of course on the car ride there (it only took us about 30-minutes to get to Bethlehem from home, go figure) I prepped Rah telling him that we were not going to see the real baby Jesus, angels, village people, and soldiers - only actors showing us what it was possibly like long ago on the night that Jesus was born. I reminded him of how Jesus was born in a manger with animals around. To which he asked, "Were there bees?" I don't know why he would think bees, but that's what he asked of all animals, bees! I told him I didn't recall reading or hearing about bees during the time of Jesus' birth. He then asked, "Why not? Doesn't God like bees?" To which I responded, "Of course God likes bees, he created all things, including bees so he must like them, but I don't think they were there1" So then he said "Well maybe an actor will be dressed up as a bee." Goodness: Rah=1, Mommy=0.
We started our tour and it was wonderful. It began with an angel announcing the birth of a special child, named Jesus, while inspirational dancers performed below. We sat on hay and watched by fire pit.

Kathy is the 2nd from the left!

After the angel's announcement and performance, a horn was sounded from what appeared to be a ram's horn, and we were told about the census that was to be taken and directed into the town.

There were no real camels ;(

Once we entered Bethlehem it was overwhelming! There were people everywhere, merchants selling their wares; a nice woman even gave Rah an apple to which he said "Do you have any green pears?" She responded "Only apples and oranges, my child."There were beggars, lame and sick all around, basket weavers, and blacksmiths all displaying their talents and readily able to demonstrate if asked, and I did - and of course those rude guards pushing people around; but one was nice enough to see that he and Rah had a similar style of headgear and stepped out of character for a quick photo-op!

Then after a while, all of the townspeople starting talking about the special baby, "Did you hear, about the birth?", one would say. "You must go see." , you'd hear another. So we followed the crowds and ended up alas, at the manger. There Joseph and Mary sat around baby, Jesus; and with all of the glory of the event Mary sang and performed - and the nearby mules and horses made their subtle sounds to show that they were also rejoicing :) - and everyone simply watched in awe as this event was truly AWESOME!

Joseph, Baby Jesus, and Mary

On the ride home, Rah asked me if we could go to "Buffalo", I corrected him and responded, "Bethlehem is very far away, and it would cost me a lot of money. I can save and maybe we can go one day". He then replied, "Well maybe we can go tomorrow." To which I responded, "I don't think so, plus baby Jesus is no longer there in a manger, he is everywhere now." This made him think...so he was actually quiet for a moment, then he said, "Well, I'll ask Daddy if he'll take me to Buffalo!" (insert sigh) Rah=2, Mommy=0!