This is probably the coolest Christmas-related activity we've done with the kids, and definitely one we'll do every year. A church in Burnet puts on a reenactment of the town of Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born. This is our second year going with our friends, the Fieldings. Here are some of the pictures we snapped as we weaved our way through the village. There are dozens of shops, homes, huts, markets, even a jail and a tavern. Each is filled with "real" Bethlehemites who are completely in character. Shepherds stopped us to tell us of this amazing thing that happened while they were tending their sheep. They urged us to spread the news and to go and find this baby that was the promised Messiah. At one point they climbed up on a boulder to tell the whole crowd about their news before they were cut short by some Roman guards that threatened to throw them in jail.
This woman walking her goat through the village stopped to let Elijah and Isaac pet him.
All of us, minus Samuel, at the village well.
This was a woman working her loom inside her shop.
This was a basket-maker's shop.
These villagers were warming themselves by their fire and preparing food for themselves.
We had a ton of children in our group of friends. Like, probably at least 20 under the age of 10. It was crazy. I was so happy to get out of there with all 4 of ours.
This was one of the "bad guys," the Roman soldiers. They stood guard throughout the village to keep the peace and occaisionally throw villagers in jail for various offenses. The kids were very intimidated by them.
Here is one of the shepherds, proclaiming the good news to anyone who would listen.
As we walked out of the village, we passed Kind Herod's Inn, where we visited with travelers from far off. The Innkeeper stood guard, adamantly telling people that there was no room at his inn. He did say, however, that someone had given birth in his stables, and people were saying it was the Messiah. Sure enough, there was a huge star haning over the stables, and deep inside the stable were Mary and Joseph, holding their swaddled baby.
This woman walking her goat through the village stopped to let Elijah and Isaac pet him.
This woman told us she had to sell her birds to pay taxes so she didn't get thrown in jail. She was a poor widower, and if she went to jail they would take her animals anyway. As we visited, she let the boys pet her ducks, geese and roosters.
This was a woman working her loom inside her shop.
This was a basket-maker's shop.
These villagers were warming themselves by their fire and preparing food for themselves.
We had a ton of children in our group of friends. Like, probably at least 20 under the age of 10. It was crazy. I was so happy to get out of there with all 4 of ours.
This was one of the "bad guys," the Roman soldiers. They stood guard throughout the village to keep the peace and occaisionally throw villagers in jail for various offenses. The kids were very intimidated by them.
Here is one of the shepherds, proclaiming the good news to anyone who would listen.As we walked out of the village, we passed Kind Herod's Inn, where we visited with travelers from far off. The Innkeeper stood guard, adamantly telling people that there was no room at his inn. He did say, however, that someone had given birth in his stables, and people were saying it was the Messiah. Sure enough, there was a huge star haning over the stables, and deep inside the stable were Mary and Joseph, holding their swaddled baby.
As we exited, there were signs with scriptures about Jesus' birth, life and death. It is one thing to read these scriptures with the kids (and we will never stop doing that!), but this event makes it totally come alive for them. They all had a great time. And they were pooped by the end.
It was so worth the 40-minute drive! So all of you reading this who live here, pack up your kids and go! It's only going on for another weekend, it's an incredible experience, and it's free!
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