Last weekend, Immanuel Lutheran Church came alive with the sights and sounds surrounding the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.
As they have for more than a dozen years, hundreds of area visitors flocked to the church for “The Pilgrimage to Bethlehem: A Live Nativity” to be immersed in a spectacular, free production of the story of the first Christmas, featuring about 140 actors from 20 area churches wearing authentic first-century period costumes, as well as elaborate indoor and outdoor sets.
“We see this as a ministry to our community to share God’s love with the city of Taylor,” said Pastor Caleb Bahr, who has been Immanuel Lutheran Church for four years. “We had a good time with it. It’s a lot of work, but it is worth it.” Upon entering the sanctuary, visitors were given a gold coin with a number on it and greeted the sound of a choir singing “Go Tell it on a Mountain,” and other Christmas carols, and invited to join in.
“Sing with the choir, listen, pray, or let your spirit be filled with joy,” read the back of the songbooks for participants in the sanctuary.
As groups were called for their guided tour, a volunteer set the scene and reminded visitors to use their gold coins for payment.
“You have to pay your taxes so you don’t have to go to jail,” said Bonnie Paderka, dressed in a brown robe and her head covered loosely with a Middle Eastern keffiyeh scarf.
Paderka, switching momentarily back to the year 2022, also encouraged interested people to get involved next year.
“It’s a really wonderful community event,” Paderka said. “If any of you all feel moved, and would like to participate, you may write on this paper and put in the jar.”
As the group entered Nazareth, some redcloaked Roman soldiers arrived with menacing spears, before visitors happened upon the scenes of the angel Gabriel visiting Mary, and then Joseph.
Soon, with the help of the guide, the group was transported to a busy market in Bethlehem with people selling their wares, complete with the sounds of birds and people hammering.
At the market, the group witnessed a Roman tax collector sending someone to jail before Mary and Joseph tried unsuccessfully to find lodging at the inn.
Outdoors, attendees witnessed shepherds with their sheep sitting around a glowing fire, followed by the nativity scene in the manger, where the baby Jesus was visited by ornately attired wise men bearing gold, frankincense and myrr, and surrounded by angels with dazzling golden wings.
Throughout the tour, people, young and old, expressed their awe and delight with the production.
Sharon Klaus attended the last tour of the evening on Sunday, Dec. 11.
“I liked the story and the realness of it,” Klaus said.
Klaus’s ganddaughter Raven Klaus agreed.
“I liked how they told the story,” Raven said. “The costumes were so real.”
