Journey to Bethlehem...

As part of our Christmas preparations each year, our church hosts a "Journey to Bethlehem". The multi-purpose room is transformed into lots of little shops and the shopkeepers sell thier "authentic" Bethlehem treasures of jewlery, dredles, fruit, bread and candles. Along the journey each person is asked to register with the Census at the door and they are given papers to show that they have registered.

They then walk through the shops and use shekls that they are given when they arrive to buy items from the shopkeepers. While walking through the shopkeepers are all abuzz about a baby born in a stable and the Shepherds who have been spreading the word.

In addition to the shops there is also a Hebrew School, where the rabbi teaches the children about the prohpecies of a Messiah who is to come from Bethlehem. Aren't the kds cute... Hmmm, maybe I am biased! This year one of the Hebrew children said that Abraham's wife's name was Lincoln!

There is also a Roman Soldier who goes through the city asking to see your papers and making fun of the Messiah. If you don't have papers or are causing trouble, he puts you in jail! This year the Roman Soldier was handsome! I decided to bring him home with me!

At the end of the shops you are directed to the inn, where the innkeeper and his wife apologize that they have no rooms, but they offer a hot meal of Lentil soup and bread to the travelers. Once you have your meal you leave through the stable where there are animals and you meet the baby that everyone has been talking about! Happy Birthday Jesus!