Back To Bethlehem

Last night we took the kids back in time to a little town called Bethlehem.  Our church hosts this very elaborate production where a portion of the church property is transformed, literally, into Bethlehem.  The kids entered into a world of the past when our Savior was born.  Some of the things they were to experience included visiting with carpenters and stone masons. . . 

pressing olives into olive oil. . .

feeding and petting sheep and goats. . .

and petting a donkey similar to the one Mary rode upon on their journey into Bethlehem. . .

There were also basket weavers, women making bread, potters, people selling their spices and fruits & nuts, shepherds, angels singing in the distance, the Inn which had no room to spare, and a stable with Mary and Joseph holding their newborn baby Jesus.

It was really cool to give the kids a chance to "see" the nativity and experience what life was like when Christ was born.  It can be so hard to imagine a different time and place, especially for children who know no different.  We can also become so comfortable with the story of Christ's birth that we forget so many significant details of the time period.  This was a great holiday tradition for our family, our church, and for the community.