Grapeland Baptist Church hosting Living Nativity Dec. 8-9

Special to The Messenger

Come visit the “O’ Little Town of Bethlehem,” walk-through, and drive-through, living Nativity at Grapeland Baptist Church on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8-9.

This presentation begins at 6 p.m. and runs through 7:30 p.m. on both nights.

Grapeland Baptist Church is located at the intersection of Spivey Road and FM 227 East, one block east of U.S. 287 (on the Augusta highway). Banners placed along the highway will direct people to the church. Those attending are asked to enter the church property off of the FM 227 entrance and then park, or dive through the Nativity.

Those choosing to walk through can stroll through the Bethlehem marketplace, try and find room at the inn, listen to a fascinating tale from some shepherds and see what all the fuss is about with the young couple spending the night in a barn. From there they can view into the future for the little child in the manger and see why He came to earth.

After that, they can walk back through the display and stop at the shepherd’s fold and go through the petting zoo.

This is the fifth year Grapeland Baptist Church has presented this special event. Every year the church tries to add a new wrinkle to the program, adding a bit to the town, more people to the events and different vignettes to tell the story of the events leading up to and including the birth of Jesus.

For those walking through, tour guides take them on a journey beginning in Nazareth where they see an angel telling Mary she will be with child, and that He will be the Messiah. From there they make the trip to Bethlehem, which for Joseph and Mary took 70 to 80 miles, but for guests to Grapeland Baptist Church, only takes about 100 feet.

See angels telling shepherds of the miracle occurring that night in Bethlehem, while gossip spreads through the community, and the rumor that the Messiah has come to ransom Israel and the world from its sins.

There are people grinding olives, making wares and talking about the strange stories coming in from the Judean hills. The Romans are taking a census and the town is a bit busier and the local innkeepers cannot keep up with the demand. To top all that off, there are some sightings of some wealthy men from the East, some even call them “Wise Men” headed to tiny Bethlehem just to see the birth of a baby. Nothing significant ever happens in Bethlehem, except for the birth of David and that little prophecy of the Messiah in Micah.

Come and relive the story of the coming of the Redeemer.