Sandy Plains Baptist Church

Come to Bethlehem Outdoor Drama 

Sandy Plains Baptist Church wishes to share with your family and your church congregation a wonderful journey to the village of Bethlehem as it might have been on the night Christ was born. Your spiritual journey will begin as soon as you arrive at the church. You will be identified as a member of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Soon, a guide from Bethlehem will greet you and lead you on the journey Joseph and Mary must have traveled. Throughout your journey, you will experience:

A Wagon Hayride: Hop a ride with a farmer on his cart as he goes to Bethlehem.

 The Blacksmith Shop: Watch the blacksmith work the hot coals as he shoes a pony.

Women at the Well: Visit with the women who gather water at the spring outside the city walls.

The Shepherd’s Field: Chat with the shepherds as they secure their flock for the evening and prepare their supper over a warm campfire. (You will even get to pet the baby lambs and goats!)

A Centurion: Once in the city, you are confronted by the Roman Centurion and his soldiers who read Caesar’s Decree that everyone (including you) must report for taxes!

A Jewish Home: Just after entering the city gates, you are invited to visit briefly in a humble Jewish home where three generations are sitting down for their evening meal.

A Prophet- Before meeting with a Magistrate you encounter a the prophet Simion who will enlighten you with some encouraging news.

A Census Taker: You, like Joseph and Mary, must report to the Magistrate who insists that you must sign the census, thereby properly registering as a taxpayer of Rome.

The Money Changer Table: Your foreign money is of no use in Bethlehem. You must be given Hebrew money to pay your taxes. You might also wish to give alms to the beggar children you will encounter in the marketplace. Also, keep a coin for your Temple gift.

The Marketplace: Experience the sights and sounds of merchants plying their trade.

  The Animal Market:  Camels, donkeys, goats, rabbits, geese – they are all here and all of these animals love to be petted by children of all ages.

A Roman Tax Collector: Even here, the Roman government demands its due!

 The Temple: You are in luck. The High Priest from Jerusalem is here conducting worship.

 The Carpenter Shop: The local carpenter and his son, Joshua, are hurrying to complete the day’s work. (Find out why Joshua is so excited about the wooden cradle he is making.)

 The Inn: With everyone in town for the census, hopefully, the innkeeper will have room available for you to stay.

 The Stable: You have to stay out back with the animal, but some other young couple is already out there! And guess what! They just had a baby! Could this be the long awaited Messiah?

 Following your journey you are invited to stay for some hot chocolate and refreshments!

Where can I see this?

Sandy Plains Baptist Church.

2112 New House Road, Shelby, NC

When?

Dec. 7th, 8th & 9th  – Fri., Sat. and Sun. evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 pm

 We will be taking can food donations for our food closet.