Live nativity set Dec. 11 at Grapeland Baptist Church

Step back 2,000 years to the little hamlet of Bethlehem in the hills of Israel and relive the birth of Jesus Christ Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10 at Grapeland Baptist Church.

“O’ Little Town of Bethlehem,” is a walk-through, and drive-through, living Nativity. This presentation begins at 6 p.m. and runs through 8 p.m. on both nights. In case of inclement weather, such as rain, on any of those nights, the church will present the program on Sunday, Dec. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. Check the church’s Facebook page regarding any questions on rain issues.

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 travel behind the barn to a petting zoo and see some of the same type of animals that would have been there the night Jesus was born.

“The apostle Paul said, ‘When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoptions as sons,’” said Grapeland Baptist Church member Wayne Stewart. “That fullness of time was the night Jesus was born. We try and depict that night the best we can from what the scriptures tell us in Matthew and Luke, and present that to visitors to our living Nativity so they can understand the coming of the Messiah.”

This is the fourth 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.

Visitors pass the young couple of Mary and Joseph along the way and then enter Bethlehem. There they can see some of the sites and experience the way life was lived all those years ago.

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 inn keepers 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.

“We are a small church, but every member we have participates in some fashion for this event,” Stewart noted. “Whether they are making costumes, rigging up lighting, making sets or watching kids, it is a total group effort.

“When people walk through this production we hope they can come to an understanding of how Jesus came into the world and why He came into the world,” Stewart said. “The last scene of our living Nativity is a cross. The cross is why Jesus came into the world, and it’s there to remind people. The message of Christmas is peace on earth and goodwill toward men, but the price of peace was the cross and the sins of the world that was poured out on Jesus when He was placed on that cross.

“It all started, though, with a babe in the manger,” Stewart added.

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 drive through the Nativity.

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