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Children's Community Choir performed music and skits.
Photos by Ron Clarke
December 19, 2023
Walk-Through Bethlehem is a Noel hit
By Ron Clarke
The Bandera Prophet
As someone said, “It’s okay for God to say no!”
He said “no” on Friday, Dec. 15, when the first night of a “Walk-Through Bethlehem” had to be cancelled due to inclement weather.
What was supposed to be a 2-day event was now a one-night only special Holiday event in Bandera County attended by hundreds. Cars parking for the event were filling the sides of Park Road 37, as well as over-flow parking usually used for the Cajun Festival.
After a clear and sunny Saturday, the sun set on a biblical scene at the Lakehills Community Center as the local non-profit group Hill Country Samaritans hosted the now-traditional “Walk- Through Bethlehem” on the Community Center Grounds. As the temperature dropped, hundreds of people gathered to tour the “little town of Bethlehem” and get a feel (and a taste!) of what it was like to visit Bethlehem when Jesus Christ was born.
After an exceptional performance, including music and skits by the Community Children’s 35- member choir, which is a part of the Hill Country Samaritans and hosted at the Pipe Creek Presbyterian Church, visitors to “Bethlehem” were greeted at the entrance to the city and given large “gold” coins for their visit. Choir Director Meredith Vix said the Community Children’s Choir is open to any Bandera County child who wishes to join the group.
After entering Bethlehem, visitors were greeted by a Roman soldier who immediately directed them by order of Ceasar to pay their taxes. With the Roman soldiers, of which there were many, a visitor to Bethlehem could not avoid paying. Once the taxes were paid to a smiling tax collector named Edward, visitors could then stroll the grounds of the small town and attempt to get a room at the Inn. According to tradition and ancient Bible history, there was no room there for passersby.
After being refused a room at the Inn, visitors began to get a very real sense of what it was like in Biblical times as the temperature outside plummeted into the mid-40s under a clear, starry night, probably remarkably like the night Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
A walk through the town allowed visitors to view animals including camels from Bill Rivers Camel Farm (on FM 1283 near Pipe Creek), as well as goats, donkeys, cows, and other farm animals gathered at the stable near where Mary and Joseph watched over a newborn. The gathered crowd was jovial until they arrived at the cold stable, seeing the manger and then fell quiet. A star over the scene was lit brightly and only once did the donkey bray as Mary held her baby close to keep the child warm.
With the meticulously prepared scenery, the period costuming, and authentic antiques, tools, and craft work, it was easy to feel as if you were back in the time of Jesus’ birth. Visitors were able to visit an open food and vegetable market complemented by a nearby spice shop, a metal workshop, a stone mason cutting stonework, stables, a bakery where bread was made, a textile sales booth, a church service, a basket weaving shop, and much more.
At each section, visitors were able to hear in detail about what that chore or job was like in the times when Jesus was born.
Of special note was the artifacts display space that was near the entrance which allowed visitors to see antiques from the Middle East, some hundreds of years old.
As visitors left it was very apparent that they were touched by what they saw and many stated that they would return each year to this special event.
For more information about volunteering or other programs by the Hill Country Samaritans including the Community Childrens Choir, visit their website at www.hillcountrysamaritans.org.
He said “no” on Friday, Dec. 15, when the first night of a “Walk-Through Bethlehem” had to be cancelled due to inclement weather.
What was supposed to be a 2-day event was now a one-night only special Holiday event in Bandera County attended by hundreds. Cars parking for the event were filling the sides of Park Road 37, as well as over-flow parking usually used for the Cajun Festival.
After a clear and sunny Saturday, the sun set on a biblical scene at the Lakehills Community Center as the local non-profit group Hill Country Samaritans hosted the now-traditional “Walk- Through Bethlehem” on the Community Center Grounds. As the temperature dropped, hundreds of people gathered to tour the “little town of Bethlehem” and get a feel (and a taste!) of what it was like to visit Bethlehem when Jesus Christ was born.
After an exceptional performance, including music and skits by the Community Children’s 35- member choir, which is a part of the Hill Country Samaritans and hosted at the Pipe Creek Presbyterian Church, visitors to “Bethlehem” were greeted at the entrance to the city and given large “gold” coins for their visit. Choir Director Meredith Vix said the Community Children’s Choir is open to any Bandera County child who wishes to join the group.
After entering Bethlehem, visitors were greeted by a Roman soldier who immediately directed them by order of Ceasar to pay their taxes. With the Roman soldiers, of which there were many, a visitor to Bethlehem could not avoid paying. Once the taxes were paid to a smiling tax collector named Edward, visitors could then stroll the grounds of the small town and attempt to get a room at the Inn. According to tradition and ancient Bible history, there was no room there for passersby.
After being refused a room at the Inn, visitors began to get a very real sense of what it was like in Biblical times as the temperature outside plummeted into the mid-40s under a clear, starry night, probably remarkably like the night Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
A walk through the town allowed visitors to view animals including camels from Bill Rivers Camel Farm (on FM 1283 near Pipe Creek), as well as goats, donkeys, cows, and other farm animals gathered at the stable near where Mary and Joseph watched over a newborn. The gathered crowd was jovial until they arrived at the cold stable, seeing the manger and then fell quiet. A star over the scene was lit brightly and only once did the donkey bray as Mary held her baby close to keep the child warm.
With the meticulously prepared scenery, the period costuming, and authentic antiques, tools, and craft work, it was easy to feel as if you were back in the time of Jesus’ birth. Visitors were able to visit an open food and vegetable market complemented by a nearby spice shop, a metal workshop, a stone mason cutting stonework, stables, a bakery where bread was made, a textile sales booth, a church service, a basket weaving shop, and much more.
At each section, visitors were able to hear in detail about what that chore or job was like in the times when Jesus was born.
Of special note was the artifacts display space that was near the entrance which allowed visitors to see antiques from the Middle East, some hundreds of years old.
As visitors left it was very apparent that they were touched by what they saw and many stated that they would return each year to this special event.
For more information about volunteering or other programs by the Hill Country Samaritans including the Community Childrens Choir, visit their website at www.hillcountrysamaritans.org.