Journey To Bethlehem

Tonight we took our two little boys to "Journey to Bethlehem" - an interactive "trip" from Nazareth to Bethlehem, sponsored by a Baptist church in our area. Finding out about this experience was so timely as Jack has been talking A LOT over the past week or two about what is would be like to be in Bethlehem, what the stable and the manger looked like, even asking me if I had ever been there. Very lucky for me, I actually have been to Bethlehem, but I told him that it wasn't safe enough for us to take him there right now, and I hoped he would be able to go someday when he was older. I also knew he was wanting to see what Bethlehem was like THEN, not what it looks like NOW - - - so this "Journey to Bethlehem" couldn't have come at a more opportune time!

Jack and Ryan looking at the camels (yes there were 6-7 LIVE camels - here in Grapevine!

We went on quite a long walk, "adopted" by a Jewish family, from their home in Nazereth to pay the Roman taxes in Bethlehem. We saw camels, Roman Soldiers on horseback (who were quite intimidating, especially to our two little guys), shepherds complete with sheep, an Angel, Wise Men following the Star, and were even "robbed" on our way through Samaria. (Little Ryan LOVED the robbing part - probably because he's just an ACTION kind of guy!)

Jack "bargaining" with an egg merchant in Bethlehem

The whole trip we had to keep our passports handy or we could be arrested and "thrown in jail" by those intimidating Roman Soldiers. Let me tell you . . . I've never seen my two sons hold on so tight to a piece of paper in their whole life - gladly showing it whenever they were asked - complete with "Yes Sir's".

We just couldn't believe that there were REAL LIVE CAMELS for us to see (and PET!)

Ryan was mezmerized by all the animals on the journey!

Finally, once we were in Bethlehem, our little guys (and Mom and Dad) were TIRED - and getting turned away from the "Bethlehem Inn" took on a whole new feeling. We got to go around back to the stables and the tents to see if we could find room to rest, and what do you know . . . there He was: The Christ Child, along with Mary and Joseph. It truly brought tears to my eyes to watch the children gather around the "Manger" and sing "O come let us adore Him. O come let us adore him. O come let us adore him - Christ the Lord" by moonlight. . . outside . . .in a stable on the hay . . . probably much like that special night so long ago!

The greatest gift of Christmas!

This was a very neat experience for our children - and for us. I know Jack and I will spend hours talking about it tomorrow during our once a week "Jack and Mom" day.

May God Bless YOUR Christmas!