It's that time of year again, says Pastor Dave Miller.
For the fifth year, the Battlefords will have a chance to take A Walk Through Bethlehem.
Miller, pastor of the Battlefords and St. Walburg Seventh Day Adventist Churches, says the event grows and evolves each year. Last year, 500 people toured the town of Bethlehem recreated at the church at the corner of 16th Avenue and 93rd Street.
This year's A Walk Though Bethlehem will take place Friday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 1 from noon until 4 p.m. Admission is free, however donations will be taken for the local food bank's Empty Stocking Fund if anyone wishes to do so. Each tour lasts about 30 minutes.
Visitors will be able to walk the streets, interact with the townspeople, learn from them about life in Jesus' time, and gather at the stable where Jesus was born. Throughout the tour, patrons will hear the sounds, see the sights, and even smell the smells of old Bethlehem.
The interactive event is one that calls on the dedication of many volunteers. Miller says there are up to 50 people in costume, plus many behind the scenes. The lower level of the church has become a permanent part of the project, and renovations have been done to move tours more efficiently from room to room, says Miller.
Presenting A Walk Through Bethlehem is a year round project. Once one is over, says Miller, a debriefing takes place and plans and the budget for the following year are prepared, all to provide an inspirational and educational experience the whole family can enjoy.
