The Kelso-Longview Community Church has enjoyed one of its best Christmas seasons ever with their outdoor reenactment of Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. Now in its eighth year, more than 6,400 people experienced the four-night presentation of Journey to Bethlehem.
With a cast of more than 130 outside and about 40 inside the church, the members worked together in the spirit of Christ to reach deep into the community with the story of Jesus’ birth.
One of our members brought a family who had no spiritual background whatsoever. Their daughter, 11, came through with them. As this young girl was approaching the householder tent, she said, “I’ve never seen this movie before.” Then she entered the crowded city of Bethlehem with its merchants and craftsmen, found her way through the city to the tax collector's tent, saw the angel proclaim Jesus' birth, and ended up at the manger. Our member walked with her to the hot cider tent. As they were sipping cider together, he asked, "Do you know who that Baby is in the cave?” She said, “No.” Our member told her for the first time about Jesus.
Just think, she had no idea who Jesus is! That kind of story compels me as a pastor to do more in our community so no one can ever say, "I don’t know who that Baby is."
The Journey to Bethlehem actors worked hard to keep "in character" so the guests touring the village could feel like they had experienced historical Bethlehem at the time of Jesus' birth.
The final stop in the Kelso-Longview Church's Christmas "Journey to Bethlehem" is this beautiful manger scene.
