EXPERIENCE BETHLEHEM...WOW!

What a grand week it's been!! Our shurch put on "Experience Bethlehem". We transformed our whole building into Bethlehem. It has taken hours and hours of preparation, staffing, sacrifice and dedication from hundreds of church members in our two stakes. It was incredibly beautiful and spiritual.

As people first came in, they would sit in the chapel where a beautiful powerpoint presentation of Christ was playing, then, when it was time for their group to go through, they would first approach the Roman guards. They would be given a bag of "scheckles" and had to pay 'taxes" to the guards before they could enter the city.

Once in the city, they were met by the tax collector who would take a few more scheckles from each family. Then they were taken to the well, where they witnessed the "women at the well" as they fetched water for their families as the tour guides explained that the well was the only place the women could talk freely since they weren't allowed to talk to any men or in front of any men except their husbands. They were taught about how the women were in charge of dressing their husbands, raising the children and taking care of all household jobs. They had no social life.

After the well, we were taken to the bakery where we were able to sample real unlevened bread, just like they would have eaten back then. From there it was on to the bazzar where beautiful silver, gold and other precious metals were sold in the form of pitchers, pots etc. Then on to the basket shop where they told us how they wove the baskets they used for so much of their work. After the basket shop was the Jewish school, where the Rabbi would explain that only the wealthy boys were allowed to attend, and he explained the Dreidel game and each person was given a Dreidel to take home. From there, on to the fruit market where each person could buy an apple or an orange. There were nuts and other fruits there too, but we were only allowed to "buy" the apples or oranges.

All during the tour of the city, as we were walking, Mary and Joseph were wandering through as well. We could all see them, and after the Market, we all went to the Inn, where we over heard the Innkeeper telling Mary and Joseph there was no room for them. We were all turned down as well, then we were directed to the fields or the manger. We went through a black curtain and stepped into the sheperds fields and as we walked through the field, we were met by an angel proclaiming the birth of the Christ child. Then we went through another curtain and were at the stable. A mostly live Nativity, with live wisemen and a live Mary and Joseph kneeling at the side of the manger. The manger lights would slowly come up and the music would play softly and the spirit was AMAZINGLY strong.

After the manger, people were directed out of the city and were allowed to go into the Relief Society room where there were several of the most amazing and incredible Nativities that I have ever seen.

The entire experience was astounding. We had so many members and non-members alike come out of the manger area with tears in their eyes. I am so grateful for all the hours and people and effort that went into putting this together. I am grateful for the opportunity we had to show our city that we are Christians who believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. He died for each and every one of us. He is our Eldest Brother and we are able to go back to live with our Heavenly Parents because of Him.

Jake worked as a shepherd, Dan worked as the Rabbi at the Jewish School and I was in charge of the Market, so I staffed it, and worked in it, and was also an usher. It was something I am so happy to have been blessed to be a part of. I will try to get my hands on some pictures and post them here in the next few days.