Every year in December, Baker View Christian School buzzes with extra excitement, and it isn't just in anticipation of the arriving holidays. It’s the time of year that brings a much-loved ministry event, Walk Through Bethlehem.
This live and interactive walk through an ancient village street is a ministry of Bellingham Adventist Church and Ferndale Adventist Church in Whatcom County. This four-night experience is hosted at BVCS and draws hundreds of people from surrounding communities each year, bringing family and friends to walk an ancient street in Bethlehem.
Eager children are given gold coins to spend on their journey. In the village, they may purchase bites of bread, lentil soup and small fruits. They enjoy shops with fragrant spices to grind, explore ancient grains in the granary and watch carpenters demonstrate their craft. With stalls of fish, wool and baskets, they walk through the village to find the inn. Banging on the door brings a firm but sympathetic innkeeper to inform the tired crowd, “No room!” They must go on.
As they continue to explore, they stop at the village synagogue to hear the priest and his students as they study the scriptures. At last, they arrive at the straw-filled stable yard with live animals. There, over by the manager, they find Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus and hear the glorious message of His birth.
BVCS students were again graciously offered the opportunity to participate in this unique ministry under the dedicated direction of Christine Cicchitti. They were enthusiastic as they dressed in period costumes and became villagers running shops, collecting taxes, demonstrating the ancient Jewish dances of the village to authentic Jewish music and even playing Roman soldiers. Many participated every evening.
This hands-on experience of service brings students a lot of joy. Many expressed that they could not wait to participate in next year's event.
One BVCS student has a desire to become a pastor-archeologist. His passion is ancient history and things of the Bible. His personal story of participation in Walk Through Bethlehem began when he was just a 7-month-old infant representing baby Jesus in the manager with his mother, who has been participating in Walk Through Bethlehem since she was a teenager.
Students being a welcome part of this event encapsulates one of the unique opportunities of attending BVCS. All students are encouraged to participate alongside the many adults they interact with in school and church. They are supported and nurtured in their goals and may even start to visualize a life dedicated to bringing others this message of hope.
Students dress in period costumes and play many roles in Walk Through Bethlehem.
Walk Through Bethlehem is a family event for guests and participants alike.
BVCS students joyfully participate in their church's Walk Through Bethlehem.
Guests use gold coins to buy bread, fruit or lentil soup from villagers.
BVCS nurtures students in their goals and aims to teach them how to live a life dedicated to bringing the message of hope to others.
Walk Through Bethlehem attracts hundreds of guests every year.
Walk Through Bethlehem guests are immediately immersed into the story of Jesus' birth.
