Walk Thru Bethlehem

I have no pictures but I have a few cute stories from last night. We had our annual visit to Bethlehem. American Lutheran Church has been doing it for the past 12 years and it just seems to be getting better each year. For those of you who have never been, they break you off into groups of 8ish and a guide from Bethlehem takes you through the town while you look for a place to stay for the night. Even getting there early we waited for about an hour before we got called to go to Bethlehem. The first person we came into contact with was a Roman guard who was very rude and made us hurry so we wouldn't be in the way or wasting his time. Then we met our guide, Jacob and he brought us to the census table so we could register for the census. They gave each one of us a coin and then warned us about beggars who would ask for the money. The told us not to give it to them. Then we ran into a few Wise Men and a camel. They showed us the gifts they and brought for a King. We then passed by the jail and there was a beggar in there and Gracie went up to her and shook her hand and was so nice to her. It was pretty cute. Then we went to the leather shop and learned about how they make shoes, and leather whips for the Roman Soldiers. They always comment on how strange our shoes are and that we must be from a land so strange and far away to have such strange shoes and clothes. It's funny and the kids enjoy trying to explain that we're from Prescott. Right next to the leather shop was the meat market. They had a fish for us to see and smell, plus live chickens and goats. They always try to sell those to you, and last night Gracie was sure she was going to buy a baby goat to take home. She went to pick it up as we were leaving, like "Thank you for my new goat!" It was pretty funny. While at the meat market they talk about Passover and the blood of the lamb, it's great how they put those stories in quite a few of the market stalls. We also ask each stall if we can stay with them for the night, but they always turn us down because they have no room. They also all talk about seeing a poor woman who was very big with child riding in on a donkey, and that they were all sure she would be having that baby tonight! After the meat market we went to the Pottery stall and they show us how they make pots and they also talk about God being our potter and how He can mold us and take out the impurities in our lives. Then we were off to the food stand and the kids got to try some unleavened bread, figs, grapes, almonds, and a few other food items from the Bible that we don't eat often here. Then we went to the basket shop and they showed us how they weave. Next off to my favorite stop, the women at the well. They always have the good information on the comings and goings of Bethlehem. Then we went to the woodworking shop and they were working on a wheel for a Roman chariot. Then we went to the weavers stall and saw the rugs and other things they were weaving, and how they take sheep's wool and make yarn out of it. The kids also got to feel some of the wool. During this whole time there would be beggars roaming the street asking for money, and then Roman soldiers coming and making them move along. Then we went to the temple and heard some Rabbi's read to us about the Lord our God. Next we stopped by the spice shop and got to smell frankincense and myrrh. We then headed down the path to the Inn and ran into some Shepherds who said that angels had appeared to them and told them that in this city Jesus, our Christ was born this very night. So then we went to the Inn and paid them our money and they said we could go to the very far corner of the stable as to not disturb this nice young husband and wife who they were sure had just had a baby in their stall. So we headed in and before that we had angels appear to us and tell us about Jesus being born tonight and to tell other about Him. We then went into the stable and saw Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. They told us His name was Jesus. Then we passed the donkeys and left the stable to head home. It's such a great thing they do every year! I remember going when I was little and I remember being so afraid of the Roman guards and beggars, and in years past those characters haven't been as good, but this year they played it up and my kids got into it too! It's such a great little thing to go to every year! I know it takes them so much time and so many people, but I am so thankful to be able to take my kids to Bethlehem every year!! :)