Walk thru Bethlehem

John Wesley UMC puts on a version of the Walk thru Bethlehem. MIMI has been taking Aubrey to this the past two years but this year we decided to take all of the kids. They also have snow made for the event which was perfect because it was a cold day. Each kid had a slightly different reaction to the cold, wet, white stuff...

Aubrey walked right into it.

Lily hesitated a little but carefully walked into it.
Emery would only stand on the edge of it.
Aubrey dug both hands into it.
Lily grabbed it with one hand.
Emery gently patted it.
Carter went in for a quick feel but didn't love it.
Aubrey figured out you could throw it. The majority of the Walk was set up inside. When you first entered each kid received a paper bag and a scroll/map. At each station represents a part of life from that time period. The kids would complete a quick activity or get something to eat and then the people working the station would stamped their map to show which stations they had done. If they received a treat or made something, they were to put it in their paper bag.
At this station Lily is pressing olives to make olive oil and the rest of us are sampling the oil.
Here the girls are stamping clay to make coins.

At this station the girls are using clay to make pottery.
This is the market. They collected a variety of dried products to put in their bag.

Here they enjoyed a piece of delicious bread.
At this station they showed the kids how to play with a dreidel.
The cheese station was a Hall favorite. Not only did we get samples of cheese but they had goldfish also. (I wonder if Baby Jesus liked goldfish?)

They made bracelets out of straw.
At this station they are making mosaic crosses. They colored a cross and when the crosses were sprayed with water the color would bleed and give it a beautiful mosaic look.
The 3 Kings were walking around passing out gold for the kids to give to...

Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus!

Although he is not pictured much, Carter was there and had a great time riding around in the stroller.

Bethlehem would not be complete without a live donkey and...

camel!
This event is very well done. They do an amazing job representing so much of the time. What a great, fun way to teach kids about the true meaning of Christmas. The kids enjoyed it and so did the adults. We hope to continue this as a tradition each year.