Journey to Bethlehem - Experience the sights and sounds of the original Christmas drama
The last thing busy families need during a hectic holiday season is another activity on their over-booked schedule. There's shopping, school activities, shopping, church events, more shopping, work and community commitments, and of course, still more shopping.Perhaps what's needed, dare it be said, is one less shopping trip, and one little excursion with the originators of all this hubbub. No, not Santa and his elves. The unassuming star couple of all this Christmas excitement, Mary and Joseph. Spending a little time in their sandals will bring a new perspective on the holiday season to even the most dedicated shopper, hostess, baker, caroler , decorator, and costume fitter extraordinaire.
That's the vision of the Walnut Creek Merchants, who simply want to turn attention to the plight of Mary and Joseph, and all the supporting characters in the original Christmas drama. Amy Yoder of Coblentz Chocolates talked about the plans. "It's totally a community event. We're not selling them anything. We just want people to experience the sights and sounds of Bethlehem. We want to give people a chance to take a breath, relax, and remember what the season is all about."
To do that, Walnut Creek area businesses, with their employees and friends are presenting Journey to Bethlehem. On Friday, December 3, from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m., this will be a set-your-own-pace experience with eight stops, each one recreating a scene from the familiar story. "The first stop will be Walnut Creek Furniture where people will register, like Joseph and Mary were going to register," said Yoder. There they receive a map for the rest of their trip, something the earlier travelers managed to do without.
Coming next to the heart of the village, those on the journey can walk from one scene using a familiar guide. "We're each going to have a star on our building," said Yoder, "so you're supposed to follow the star. The whole town will be lit up with luminaries. We'll also have carolers at most of the stops."
Along the way, visitors will encounter a rude King Herod at Coblentz Chocolates. In the meadow are the sheep under the watchful eyes of shepherds who gladly share their fire with travelers. But not everyone is quite so welcoming. There's rejection by a most unfriendly innkeeper, at the most unexpected place, Carlisle Inn. Besides the carolers heard along the way, P. Graham Dunn hosts the angels singing on high, while at the Carlisle House, wise men are seeking the Messiah and are likely to ask any passerby for help.
The Journey to Bethlehem continues to Walnut Creek Cheese, where the Bethlehem marketplace experience is recreated. Eager vendors will be hawking their wares, beggars looking for help, and more seekers looking for the promised King. Then there's all the sights, sounds, and smells that accompany the live animals at a marketplace.
Having survived all the chaos, a little peace and quiet will be welcome. "The last scene is probably going to be the favorite," said Yoder. "It's going to be out at The Farm at Walnut Creek. There'll be Joseph and Mary, with the animals, and there will be carolers singing." There, out of reach of the village noise and lights, the young family welcomes travelers to this, the heart of the story, the live Nativity Scene. The family, the animals, and carolers set a scene of comfort and joy, and allow seekers to experience a time of peace.
In contrast to many Christmas events where everyone rushes in for the start, and rushes out at the end, the Journey to Bethlehem allows five hours through the afternoon and evening to take the trip. "You can come and go at your own pace," Yoder said. "There's no set itinerary, so you don't have to go to all the stops."
For the Walnut Creek merchants who planned this, it's not just a way to get attention. Yoder explained, "People really liked the parade we used to have in town. So we were asking as a group, what could we do to bring life to the prophecy that was fulfilled more than 2000 years ago? What can we do to reach out to the community?" The answer seems perfect for a charming village in a community that values a slower pace.
"It's a nice slowdown from the whole chaotic busyness of the season," said Yoder. "It's just a night to take a breath, relax, and enjoy what it's all about."