A THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE Upon entering you will be given Shekels (coins). What do I do with my shekels? You will need one shekel to pay your taxes to the tax collector. Some market place stalls will have items for sale such as cloth, food, pottery, wood, etc. These may be bought with the “shekels” provided. We also recommend that you keep one shekel to give as a gift to Jesus when the Wisemen bring their gifts to Jesus. All extra shekels may be given as a gift to Jesus to be used by other visitor. While meandering through the Town Square marketplace, you will meet local “merchants” who each demonstrate an ancient method of their craft and trade: pottery making, fabric sales, bakery – along with other arts and crafts. As this occurs, imagine you have become one of Bethlehem’s villagers, as you are transported in time and taken on a journey. Rather than viewing the scenes while sitting or standing in one location, you will experience them while freely roaming the area. The story travels from the front gates of Bethlehem, through the village town square and finally ending up at the stable. In the village, you will rub elbows with Roman Soldiers as they clear a path, trumpets blaring, announcing the census. While there, look for 3 acts roaming the Town Square & 1 act at the Manger Scene. Watch Mary & Joseph as they arrive in Bethlehem and search for a room for the night. In another act, watch as the Wisemen witness the Star of Bethlehem and undertake a journey to bestow their gifts upon the newborn King. In the last act you’ll wait in anticipation with the Shepherds and their flock until Angel Gabriel appears in the heavens and sings out the birth of baby Jesus. At this point, you may want to follow the shepherds as they travel to welcome Him into to the world at the last act at the Manger Scene. The order in which you see the play is not important, as each act is unique and offers a completely different perspective of the greatest story ever told. Each act provides a singular experience until all the acts finally converge together at the stable.
Welcome to The Bethlehem Experience
We know this is a busy time of year and you have many things to do in preparation for Christmas. We thank you for spending your evening with us and hope you enjoy the “Bethlehem Experience”. May God bless you and yours with health, joy, and peace. Merry Christmas! Bethlehem Experience is presented as a live interactive play. Actors perform their scenes in and around you, starting in the Town Square, which has biblical era market stalls as they might have appeared over 2000 years ago. Acts run 45 minutes with 3 performances. Acts are presented as follows throughout the night and can be enjoyed in any order: • 3:00 PM Mary/Joseph travel through Market Square • 3:15 PM Wisemen travel through Market Square • 3:25 PM Shepherds/Angel Gabriel travel through Market Square • 3:30 PM All three acts end at the stable for the last act and Christmas Caroling • 4:00 PM Mary/Joseph travel through Market Square • 4:15 PM Wisemen travel through Market Square • 4:25 PM Shepherds/Angel Gabriel travel through Market Square • 4:30 PM All three acts end at the stable for the last act and Christmas Caroling • 5:00 PM Mary/Joseph travel through Market Square • 5:15 PM Wisemen travel through Market Square • 5:25 PM Shepherds/Angel Gabriel travel through Market Square • 5:30 PM All three acts end at the stable for the last act and Christmas Caroling Market Stalls close around 5:30
Dinner is offered from 3:30-5:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall for $7 adult; $6 child; max family $30
The Bethlehem Experience
Please Join us at 6 PM in the Sanctuary for the Faith Kids Christmas Program
“An Out of the Box Christmas”
Faith Kids Christmas Program 6 PM “An Out of the Box Christmas”
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Welcome Center
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Bethlehem Legend
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Census Station Fabric Shop Bakery Tax Collector Food Market Carpenter Shop Pottery Shop Inn Keeper/Wife 9. Manger Scene