Visit Journey to Bethlehem on December 14 & 15

Journey to Bethlehem 

Monday & Tuesday, December 14 & 15

This year, Aldersgate United Methodist Church will be celebrating the birth of Christ by holding a “Journey to Bethlehem” on Monday, December 14 and Tuesday, December 15, from 6 - 8 p.m. on the front lawn of the church.

For years, Aldersgate has presented the Christmas story through animals and narration at our annual Living Nativity and Living Bethlehem. People all over the community have come for years to celebrate the event with the congregation by listening to the story.

This year, the program will be a little bit different; with a new script. The celebration will be called “Journey to Bethlehem.” The name has changed because Aldersgate is taking a new approach to the celebration by focusing on the story and journey leading up to the birth of Christ instead of the actual night of His birth.

Previously, Living Bethlehem was the narrative of Mary and Joseph’s story ending with the birth of Christ. In this year’s script there will be more characters from the Bible story leading up to the birth. For example, Caesar, Herod, Zechariah and Elizabeth who are characters not usually highlighted in the Christmas story, are instrumental in the narration of the new script.

The Journey begins with a scene between King Herod and Caesar. This is followed by Zechariah in the temple who is visited by the angel Gabriel. The new script also includes the Magi in King Herod’s court as well as more involvement with the Shepherds than in the previous telling.

“One of the main goals of this year is to get as many people from the congregation involved as possible,” said Cindy Amos, who is coordinating the planning team for the Journey to Bethlehem. “Whatever your gift is, if it’s singing, dancing, story telling, baking, or anything, we just want as many people involved as possible. There is a lot of behind the scenes work and we want everyone to contribute. This is our gift to the community.”