Journey to Bethlehem

On Saturday the Franklin Stake held the "Journey to Bethlehem."  It has been months in the planning and I just have to share how wonderful it turned out.  This event all started out with some inspiration after I was called to the Cultural Arts Specialist in our Stake.  I wondered why (because we would soon be moving?) I was to do this but the next morning after being called I had the feeling that we were to do this event in December.  This event planning all started in July and we moved at the end of September.  There was so much help from all of the people in the Franklin, CubRiver area and it would never have happened without them seeing the vision as well. I can't wait to share it with you because it was simply FANTASTIC!

Everyone was to dress in period clothing so we started out the event with this little wise man.

So, are you ready to visit Bethlehem and feel the spirit of Christmas!

Come on in!

At the city gate you were met by the money changers who gave you a scheckle to get you some warm camel's milk and desert wafer, (hot chocolate and a cookie), and a map to help you through the city.

In Bethlehem there are many shops and people selling their wares.

This shop even had a sign saying welcome in Hebrew.

Yes, this was planned for December 6th and if any of you know the weather in Idaho in December, you would have said ,"you are crazy to have it outdoors."  But the weather was perfect and the day had been one of the warmest on record. ( Another testament that this was inspired.)

There were many fires throughout the city though, to keep the visitors warm.

This was the Painters shop and there were the most beautiful paintings here.  You could also get your hand inked by one of the painters.

Of course the wise men were there.

If you got lost there were signs showing you the way.

And there were goats in the city.

The stable at the outskirts of the city.

The Inn with no vacancy.

The Inn was full.

The money changers giving the scheckels and maps.

You could buy some doves for sacrifice if you had enough scheckles.

The Goat Shop with the goat cheese, and soap made from Frankincense and Myrh.

Here is the Frankincense and Myrh soap and you can take a sample home with you.

This was the Scent shop and there were the most wonderful aroma's coming from here, and the herbs and smells were so aromatic!

This is the blacksmith shop and if you wanted he would make you an iron ring for your finger.

The rings were in all sizes.

This was a fun shop with all kinds of treasures, figs, dates, olives, pita bread with humus, and it was all delicious.

Pita, olives and humus.

Here is the bakery shop and you were able to sample some unleavened bread.

would you like some.

Of course there were Roman soldiers keeping people in line.

We had some special visitors from Galilee.

They were just wanting a place to sleep for the night, but the city was full.

The three wise men

More of those Roman soldiers.

A family coming to sign the census.  There was an actual table where everyone signed in.

Mary and Joseph were finally able to find a place to stay the night.  The greatest gift that man has ever received began His time on earth in this humble beginning.  As we celebrate this wonderful event this month, let us all remember that "He is the gift"! 

I simply loved every minute of it!