Massive iron hinged gates stop the traveling tourists and a stark Roman soldier mounted on a horse yells down for the small group of visitors’ taxes. “Give me your shekels! One per person!” yells the grumpy tax collector, Frankie Carter, a cast and church member of Salem Baptist Church. Mr. Carter and his wife, Carole have watched their multi-generational family: daughters, sons-in-laws, and grandchildren in the outdoor drama serve in the town and throughout the journey for 17 years, since the debut of the outdoor walk-through drama, Bethlehem Walk.
Bethlehem Walk has been compared to Sight and Sound’s live Christian theater and is an unforgettable walk-through adventure through the town of Bethlehem in the year 1BC.
The traveling tourists walk through the gate and surrender their shekel to the grumpy tax collector, walk into a bustling town filled with an experience sure to capture the attention of both young and old.
The smells from the spice shop float through the cold air and when shop owners approach the visitors for their shekels, they are disappointed to learn no one will be buying their goods. Fresh trout hangs from the wooden beams at the fish shop, the peddler and his grandchild at meat market carry freshly killed chickens, the ladies at the tunic shop and wine shop offer their fine wares; but, it’s the pounding of the blacksmith that offers an intriguing fair, and captures the travelers first peek at dialogue between their guide and the townspeople. The blacksmith shares their goods are not for sale, they’ve been forced to make crucifixion nails for the Roman soldiers. It’s then an overbearing Roman soldier in full metal armor pushes himself through the crowd sending the travelers on their way through the town.
The overflowing fruit shop tempts visitors until a whiff of the hot stone baking bread catches the breeze, encouraging the travelers to continue on their walk through the authentic town. Dancing a traditional Jewish dance outside the tavern may loosen them up to hear the gossiping woman at the well tell the first good news for the Hebrew people waiting for the promised Messiah. The guide moves them along town and visitors are offered free samples of scrolls with a message from the prophets regarding the promised Messiah. The beautifully handmade candle shop, grain shop, basket shop and rug shop produce quality goods. The carpenter shop like the blacksmith, unfortunately has been forced to make crosses for crucifixions over the needs of the townspeople.
Often a favorite of young travelers, a walk through the live animal stalls filled with goats and sheep, they meet Hebrew children selling live chickens and rabbits. A young couple walks by and finds a holding pen for their donkey, but when they approach the only inn the town has to offer, they are turned away. With the census in town, there is no more room for any of them. But the Inns keeper has compassion on the weary couple due to the very pregnant woman, and allows them to go to his stable in the back. Good News is coming for the young couple, however, the traveling visitors in their group of nearly 30, will be sent out into the back fields, where, with hope, shepherds may offer them someplace warm by their fire for the night.
AND…that’s only the first half the Bethlehem Walk experience! Travelers continue through the backfields and experience the full story of the Good News of Jesus Christ’s birth, death and resurrection.
This event will host its 17th year December 1- December 5, 2021. It’s an annual Walk and an average of 8,500 people are expected to attend, reservations are required. Church attenders from over 20 churches volunteer to pull this huge event off.
What an incredible ministry this church is offering annually as a free Christmas outreach.
Pastor Jeff Dickson commented, “Though this is my first year being involved as our family is new to the area, I can already appreciate how compelling these efforts are at demonstrating the real reason for hope and peace in this and every season. We hope many will come to experience this immersive walk-through of the greatest story ever told and learn the greatest news there is to hear.” With over 200 families traditionally volunteering, like the Carter family from above, it’s a true community effort that proves the body of Christ extends past the church walls. It’s scheduled for December 1-5, 2021 at Salem Baptist Church, 465 Broad Street, Manakin-Sabot, VA. Check their website https://bethlehemwalk.info/ for more information. Mark your calendars for next year, it’s always the first Wednesday-Sunday of December!
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