Many at Journey to Bethlehem share in joy of Christmas story
Walnut Creek was packed with visitors both local and from far away for the annual Journey to Bethlehem event that took place Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7. Here visitors watch as the innkeeper finds a place for Mary and Joseph to stay in the first leg of the Christmas story.
It was a holy night on the evenings of Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7, but it was anything but silent during the annual Journey to Bethlehem event in Walnut Creek.
From King Herod barking at visitors, to the clatter and chatter of the peasants selling their goods in the marketplace, to the message of joy and hope of a newborn king, there was plenty being said during an event that has strived to portray the birth of Jesus as the centerpiece of the Christmas story.
Journey to Bethlehem is a detailed and very in-depth undertaking that involves a large number of local people who portray characters from the Christmas story.
The list of stops along the self-guided tour included the innkeeper, who greeted Mary and Joseph and eventually allowed them to spend time in the barn with the animals; King Herod, guarded by his soldiers, demanding that people bring back word of where the new king was born; angels announcing the birth through song; shepherds guarding their flocks by night; the three magi warming themselves by a fire as they sought the king; a large marketplace where peasants beckoned travelers to purchase their wares; and finally the nativity scene, where live animals, angels, and Mary and Joseph watched over the newborn child wrapped in swaddling clothes.
What the actors and story provided was a simple portrayal of the story of Jesus’ birth, a story that many of those in attendance were there to experience.
Travelers from near and far came to experience the story being told. A family from Pennsylvania was there for the fifth time. Warren Turner brought his family to the event for the fifth time from Shelby, Ohio.
“We love the way they put the play together. The kids really enjoy all of the animals, and this is a message that we really want our children to hear. This is such a biblical portrayal of the events rather than just an entertaining way of celebrating Christmas,” Turner said.
Jeff Harper, who has been the innkeeper for several years, said that while the purpose is to paint a biblical portrait of the birth for visitors, it is just as meaningful to those who participate in it.
“Walnut Creek is a small town, just like Bethlehem,” Harper said. “The message of peace with Christ at the center of Christmas is one that we as a community love to share.”
Harper said the characters present their portion of the story about 100 times per night. With visitors crowding the streets of Walnut Creek and at The Farm in Walnut Creek at the finale, there were a lot of performances.
Eddie Regan has played the grouchy and very peeved King Herod many times over the years. He said the event is all about the message, and because it is something that is very family-friendly, that message can be presented to both young and old.
Jason Coblentz, owner of Coblentz Chocolate, which hosted the market scene, was busy handing out chocolate to visitors who came through. He said he enjoys hearing families talking about the experience as they come through.
He said because the event is free and family-friendly and the joy of the Christmas season is something people love to share, Journey to Bethlehem has continued to share the Christmas message and be entertaining to thousands of visitors each year.
“People like to be a part of the whole atmosphere of how it was back in Jesus’ day,” Coblentz said. “I think there is a true aching in people’s hearts in today’s world for this message, especially as we go into the Christmas season."
All of the stops in town are designed to set up the final scene at The Farm. Visitors drove 1 mile and were greeted by hundreds of luminaries that lit the path to the barn, which had a large star shining brightly above it.
Visitors were welcomed to enjoy refreshments in the main house while many others braved the cold and stood around one of several fires where large cauldrons were popping corn.
Children could also feed and pet the many animals on the farm including horses, goats, oxen and more.
Horse-driven wagons ushered them to the final scene where a choir, angels, and Mary and Joseph shared the final piece of the story in front of one packed arena in the barn after the next.
It was a fitting way to complete the nativity story that the community gladly tells again and again.