Manitouwadge Residents Travel to Bethlehem
Bethany Pentecostal Assembly volunteers who helped organize and execute the 2014 A Night in Bethlehem Photo Mike Gillman.
MANITOUWADGE, ON – Saturday, December 13th, members of the Bethany Pentecostal Assembly gifted the community with a very special evening which has, in recent years, become part of many local families’ holiday traditions, A Night In Bethlehem.
Visitors begin their evening by signing in where they are provided with coins for the tax keeper and then dressed in very authentic costume to have their photo taken. The volunteers have improved upon this over the years and are quite impressive at dressing, photographing and undressing participants quickly to ensure the wait isn’t more than 10-15 minutes. Within just a couple weeks those who had their photos taken will receive a copy by mail, courtesy of Bethany Pentecostal Assembly.
The last stop for visitors, visiting the manger where Jesus is born. A trio of angels sings for attendees. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com
The event is an interactive performance where visitors are guided through a journey to Bethlehem where Christ has been born in a manger. Along the way there are Roman soldiers, an inn which of course has no vacancies and turns away those who knock, ‘taxes’ must be paid, beggars are along the path (but it is important not to give them the coins provided for paying taxes), but the highlight for most young visitors is the marketplace where each year a new activity is added. 2014’s marketplace included a bakery (with delicious bread to taste), carpentry shop, leather shop, painting (where there were beautiful wooden ornaments to paint), and many more.
Delicious snacks (Christmas cookies and goodies) and refreshments are available as visitors exit Bethlehem along with a gift bag which includes a Nativity themed activity book for kids, a magnetic Nativity scene and some other goodies.
The entire evening is a gift to the community from the members of Bethany Pentecostal Assembly and is free for all who attend.
[Unfortunately OntarioNewsNorth.com’s A Night In Bethlehem photos are not of great quality but we decided to share them none the less for those who did not have the opportunity to experience this wonderful evening. Links to photos/video from past years below the photo gallery.]
Photos/videos from previous years:
- Virtual Time Travelers Visit Bethlehem in Manitouwadge (2013)
- Manitouwadge Residents Journey Back in Time 2000 years (2012)
- Manitouwadge Travels to Bethlehem (2011)
- Video Tour – Night in Bethlehem (2010)
- A Night In Bethlehem (2010)
