Hugh and Kathy: CHRISTMAS IN BETHLEHEM

I was asked to chair an event at Church recently -- Christmas in Bethlehem. Perhaps some of you have participated in this experience in your area. I had never seen it done, but was willing to give it a try. The event consists of decorating your cultural hall (aka basketball gym/court) into the town of Bethlehem. The neighborhood is invited (through a decree from Caesar Augustus) to come to Bethlehem to be counted in the census and to be taxed. They are asked to wear biblical attire. There is a tailor shop to provide costumes for those who do not obey the emperor's decree. In the city is a marketplace where they may buy supplies for their journey and as there is "no room" at the Inn, they spread out blankets to share a meal with their families. Eventually, a young couple from Nazereth joins the throng, visits the marketplace and is turned away at the Inn. The Innkeeper then shows them a place where they may rest for the night--out with the animals in a stable. The shepherds join the scene as do the wisemen. The event includes music, a fruit market, a bread market, a spice market and Delilah's Deli. There is also a storyteller's tent where the children could hear stories from the Old Testament. They could also visit Shepherd's Field where they were able to make a Bethlehem Star to take home as a remembrance of their journey. The city was guarded by Roman Soldiers (aka young men) who were charged with keeping order in the city and making sure abandoned children were reunited with their parents. They also helped collect the taxes and made sure the travelers were counted in the census. When I visited their classes to recruit soldiers, their hands shot up immediately. They all wanted to roam the streets of Bethlehem with a sword in their belt.

I had an amazing committee and as you will note from the photos, our cultural hall was completely (and I mean completely) covered with a faux ceiling created with a "jeep parachute" (aka as a "hummer parachute"). The atmosphere closely resembled a huge bedoin tent. It was amazing.

The murals were back lit with twinkly lights.

At the Spice Market, the travelers could sample crystallized ginger and smell frankincense and myrrh as well as other spices.

The census takers (shy ones.) Note the electrical tape stretched around their legs.

Delilah's Deli served yummy chicken legs (aka lamb) and cheese.

Jacob's well was a great Gathering Place. (Manger in the background)

The honored citizens of Bethlehem...those who could not bend to sit on blankets...were given a place to sit at tables in the Senior Inn.

The biblical attire really helped to make the evening realistic. Note the twinkly lights shining through the murals.

We tried to spread "Persian" carpets all over the "city" to create the atmosphere.

Can you believe the Bedoin Tent?

Roman Soliders controlling the crowds.

Helmets made by Hugh from milk cartons

The Innkeeper and his wife

The Lepers

There was also a Nativity Display.

Caesar Augustus (aka Doug Shelby). He provided the bedoin tent.

Each family was asked to bring a can of food as payment of their taxes. We then donated the food to the local Food Bank.

The sweetest couple ever (with their new baby) portrayed Mary and Joseph.

Do you even recognize Hugh?

The fruit market supplied bananas, grapes, dates and oranges. The travelers were given a small sack of the local currency (shekels) after they signed the census.

The young women helped with the Bethlehem Star craft. (Note the sample in the left corner of the tent.) The children applied glitter to their star and curly wire to hang it on their Christmas tree at home. The stars were labeled on the back with "Christmas in Bethlehem 2010"