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2011 Christmas Journey will
be held on December 9th & 10th 6:00-8:30 P.M. on Friday and Saturday evenings (free to everyone)! The 2010 event hosted well over 700 vehicles (estimated over 2000 people ) as Bethany members bore witness
to the events of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Each year, the members of Bethany stage a night-time presentation of the Christmas Story in our rear parking lot. Our presentation offers something completely different than the traditional Nativity scene. It's an 10 minute drive-through featuring nine different stations, each consisting of special lighting, special effects, magnificent hand painted professional quality props, and live characters and animals. You may view the Journey from the comfort of your car or take a hayride on one of our trailers. Your journey begins with the prophecy of Christ's birth and ends with Simeon holding Baby Jesus. We promise the Christmas Journey will delight your eyes, your ears, your heart, and your spirit. The pictures depict a few of the scenes, by night. Set construction has required thousand of hours over the last 10 years, and the annual set-up of the scenes takes about 280 man hours. Construction requires a large crew and lots of heavy equipment, as seen is some of the photos below. The annual cast consists of over 80 actors and actresses, with another 70 support staff.
A Christmas Journey All Christmas Journey Volunteers whether you helped construct, were a character (some were real Characters!) or supplied food for everyone THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANKYOU! Your help cutting & hauling cedar, setting up, picking up / bringing supplies & props, moving or taking down props (especially donkeys), organizing the tear down, cooking & baking or serving everyone, cleaning up the kitchen or the Sanctuary is much appreciated. It amazes us how it literally takes three 12 – 14 hour days to construct the scenes and only 3 ½ hours to take down and store everything. All of your prayers and efforts allow us to continue to reach out to the community with the Christmas Journey. The following are just a few of the many comments heard by those greeting onlookers after they had viewed the Journey: “We have been coming for several years; this has become a family tradition!” As we approached one car we noticed the lady with a car load of children was crying and asked what was wrong; “I was telling the Christmas Story to my kids while driving thru, I was so moved that I was brought to tears.” Another with 2 gentlemen was asked what they thought, the driver answered; “It was great!” the other said “No it wasn’t, it was … awesome!!!” And then they began to argue over whether it was great or awesome. “It gets better every year!” “It was worth the trip from Alvin, TX. This beats a hurricane any day!” The farthest we heard anyone traveling to see the Christmas Journey was from Texarkana. If you know of someone traveling farther let us know. Merry Christmas and May God bless each and every one of you during this joyous season! The Christmas Journey Team: Jonathan Baethge, Margie Ottmers, Ralph & Karen Rode, Bradley & Carol Schulz, Dick Stuewe, Kenneth & Jaye Treibs and Curvey Weber |
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