By Mary Ellen Conley
December 2021 marked Glen Mar’s 14th Journey To Bethlehem (the name changed from “Walk” to “Journey” in 2020). As a Glen Mar employee, supporting event director Margaret Lang, I reluctantly began to volunteer in the jewelry hut in the market place in 2017. (I’m more of a “behind the scenes” person.) For the past two pandemic years I dared to be a narrator outside and have had the pleasure of narrating for various scenes.
I have to say, I was surprised at what happened. I found myself speaking with emphasis and passion, finding an “inner ham” who had been hiding inside me – because this story calls for it, because this is our story! Every single person walking the course. Every person sitting in the two cars stopped at each scene. Every person narrating, acting in a booth, leading or riding a donkey (that’s really a pony), directing traffic, or fretting about everyone showing up and everything coming together. We got to participate together visually and vocally sharing this story with our community – just four shy of 2,500 people! Every single person from all sides of the production are a part of this story that happened over two millennia ago, because it happened for all mankind.
What an AMAZING story! The God of the universe sent His Son to meet us personally! To show us who He is.
He loves us like that.
And we are His ambassadors to share His story with others.
Journey To Bethlehem spanned four evenings from Thursday, December 2 through Sunday December 5. Thursday and Saturday were “on foot” instead of “drive through.” (The previous year was all “drive through.”) On Saturday night, an “on foot” night, I had time to walk around and see each scene, experiencing it with others, taking in the story. After the manger scene, we walked past the cross to the new, covid-compliant marketplace – view only, no touchy. But further on, a young woman sat with two chickens on her lap, and we could pet them! Chickens couldn’t happen in the Spirit Center. And then, the miniature goats were so cute you could just die!
I think of this event as Mandy teaches us about our Gifts. I love that Glen Mar is a church that gets how important it is for us to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, to do something that matters. To be ambassadors of Jesus. We all have something to contribute. Because when we participate it puts us in community. We learn and grow and help others do the same – in community. So, if I can encourage you, dear reader, if you haven’t already taken the plunge, go for it! Get involved.
Scene 1 – Isaiah prophecies of the Messiah to come
Scene 2 – Mary is visited by an angel who brings tidings of great joy
Scene 2 – Mary ponders these things in her heart
Scene 3 – Martha embraces her cousin Mary
Scene 3 – Martha greets her cousin Mary
Scene 4 – Joseph works and he waits
Scene 4 – Joseph works and works and waits and waits
Scene 5 – Mary and Joseph Traveling to Bethlehem
Scene 5 – Mary on Donkey led by Joseph to Bethlehem
Scene 5 – Mary on Donkey with Joseph
Scene 6 – Angels proclaim the good news to the shepherds
Scene 6 – Angels with shadows
Scene 7 – No room at the Inn
Scene 8 – Manger Scene – Group on foot watches wise men present gifts to baby Jesus
Scene 8 – Manger Scene – Narrator, wise men, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and shepherds
Scene 8 – Manger Scene – Wise men present gifts
Scene 8 – Mary and Joseph gaze at baby Jesus
Scene 9 – Marketplace – food of the time
Scene 9 – Marketplace – food peddlers
Scene 9 – Setting up for the evening – Marketplace – miniature goats
Scene 9 – Marketplace – petting the goats
Scene 9 – Marketplace – woolspinners and bread peddlers at work
