A Night in Bethlehem, sponsored by the Outreach/Fellowship Commission of the First Presbyterian Church, Morris, will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. The Rev. Dr. Roy Backus is the pastor of the church.
“A Night in Bethlehem” is a free event for all to enjoy and to feel the richness and importance of Jesus’ birth. The congregation welcomes all families in the community and in surrounding communities to attend.
Make this Christmas season an experience your family will remember. Guests will not only become part of the Christmas story — they will actually feel, taste, hear, and smell what life was like during this miraculous time. Families will enter near the outdoor stable, a living Nativity complete with Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and shepherds. Guests will then present their families to be counted in the census.
From there they will enter the marketplace, where they will walk from shop to shop, exploring what life was like during this time. Some of the shops include jewelry making, musical instrument making, carpentry, leather working, stone masonry, fishing, a family photo shop, and story time.
Don’t forget to stop by the Jewish family home, where everyone can munch on treats. Be alert for the Roman soldiers and tax collectors as you stroll through the village.
There will be two artisans who will be demonstrating their crafts. Sarah Fisher will be demonstrating jewelry making and Bill Needham of the Grundy Woodworkers Club will be using period tools to demonstrate woodcarving.
Invite your friends for a wonderful, multi-sensory, historical walk back into the night that Jesus was born. The evening will be set up in a station format. After viewing the outdoor live Nativity scene, folks will enter the church and they will rotate to various stations, including some in which children and families will actually create some objects from Biblical times.
They will be able to take these items home with them that evening.
They will also have a family photo taken, which will be sent to them following the Dec. 2 event. Many committees are busy planning for this great event, which will include live actors, authentic costumes, set designs, and more.
Children from the community who are toddlers through fifth graders are invited to attend with their families. Adults must be present and remain with their children during this event.
Space will be limited, so pre-registration is highly recommended by calling First Presbyterian Church at (815-) 942-1871 or by stopping by the office on weekdays between 9 a.m. and noon or 1 and 4 p.m. and filling out the pre-registration form.
