jstefan posted on January 05, 2010 07:11
On the evening of December 12, Adventurers members Edera, Astrid, Cameron, Breanna, Kenny, Matthew, and Ian along with various family members and their leaders Debbie Wantz and Elizabeth Wilson, went down to the General Conference Headquarters building to experience their seasonal outreach “Walk Through Bethlehem.” First everyone was sent to the cafeteria to wait for their turn to go thru Bethlehem. While we waited our turn to enter the auditorium, we were given “Bethlehem bucks.” Once inside we watched a video featuring Gabriel explaining the history of it all. Then we “snaked” through the aisles to the stage door and out into the streets of “Bethlehem.” This is all set up and manned by volunteer workers from the GC.
We entered Bethlehem and saw a Roman Centurion who explained some rules to us, one of which was not to mention anything about this new KING. While standing there, we heard King Herod himself. He and his wife made an appearance on their palace balcony. King Herod told us if we had any information about this new King we were to come to him with the info and receive a nice reward. (He was tossing a small change purse of coins in his hand.)
We were finally allowed thru the gate and heard the religious leader talk a few minutes. And then it was through the streets with all the merchants at their booths selling something or other. Then we came to a “quiet zone.” It was the Inn. First we listened to the innkeeper tell us about how many rooms he had for awhile until his “son” come out to say it was full – no more rooms. But we were permitted to go through and see the baby in the stall and listen to the shepherd who saw the angels that told him and other shepherds about the new born KING. Last of all we came upon Simeon who talked about his experience with Jesus.
When we left Bethlehem, there were two ladies who asked us our names and wrote them in Arabic. Of course there was a charge, one Bethlehem buck for each name.