Church
Street United Methodist Church
900
Henley Street • Knoxville, TN 37902 • (865) 524-3048
Church
Street United Methodist Church
|
|
 |
|
|
Walk Through Bethlehem
Reflections on the Walk . . . (Comments from some of our guests) Some quotes of appreciation:
"We were driving by and saw the animals on the lawn so we stopped just out of curiosity. When we saw the line, we decided to wait to see what the attraction was. We were glad we did. Walk Through Bethlehem turned out to be the highlight of our Christmas this year." "We would be remiss if we did not tell you what a superb job your church did in bringing Bethlehem to our community. We thank you so much!" "We attended your Walk Through Bethlehem last year and loved it! My five-year-old particularly enjoyed seeing the animals and watching the people in the marketplace. He particularly enjoyed seeing the potter working on the wheel. Thanks for a great event." Some stories of discovery . . . Two children, ages 6 & 2, walked through Bethlehem and were particularly fascinated by the "gems" in the jewelry shop. They wandered through the other shops but found their way back to the jewelry shop where the shopkeeper gave them each one of the shiny jewels. Later that night they took their "gems" to their own church to show their friends what they had gotten in Bethlehem.
A 5-year-old stopped to look at one of the gifts the wise men were carrying through the marketplace. "It's a gift for the baby who has been born tonight," the wise man said. "We are searching for him. If you find him, would you let us know?" Less than twenty minutes later, the little girl came running back into the marketplace looking for the wise men. Her mother explained that they had just found the stable with the baby, and she wanted to tell the wise men where they could find him. [Isaiah said a child shall lead them!] A family from Afghanistan came to Bethlehem late in the day to the 2000 Walk Through Bethlehem. After looking around they asked one of the shopkeepers just what Christmas is all about as they were not familiar with the story. Seizing an opportunity to witness for that baby in the manger, the shopkeeper stepped out of character and explained the meaning of the celebration. The family told her that their experience walking through our Bethlehem was the most meaningful thing they had done since being in America. [Wow!] "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place which the Lord has made know to us." Luke 2:15
|
"Sincere
appreciation to the staff and congregation for an excellent portrayal
of Bethlehem! My friends and I stood in line with over 100 people, but
I didn't hear even one grumble from the crowd. Even though the "city"
was crowded and no room was to be had in the inn, the trip was well
worth it!"
A
little girl, about 4 years old, stopped with her parents at the pottery
shop. Elizabeth, one of the young people keeping the shop, asked her
if she had heard there was a baby born in Bethlehem that night. The
little girl, somewhat shy, nodded excitedly. She leaned close to Elizabeth
and whispered, "His name is Jesus. He's right outside in the manger."