Keeping Up with the Jones': Back to Bethlehem

Last night, we followed the star and went "Back to Bethlehem". It was VERY cold but we had dinner with our friends, the Gowders and then braved the weather and went to Bethlehem. It is an annual Christmas tradition in our household to remind us why we celebrate this time of year. We went to Hopewell Baptist Church-they always do a great job!!! This year was no exception and the crowds were really big, but they do a great job of crowd control. We start with the lady at the gate that gives the kids a shekel for their taxes. But normally, they sneak by the guards and can use their money to buy things in the marketplace. This year after we registered our family for the census, the kids were met by a Roman guard and ordered to pay their taxes. This made Justin very upset. He couldn't understand why they took his money. Now he didn't have any!! I tried to explain that is how it happened, and he understood that but he couldn't understand why they are taking his money NOW. He was not really happy at all with them, but you don't argue with a big strong guard. We tasted chocolate covered pomegranates and some yummy bread and smelled bath salts and watched them make things. They have live chickens and camels and other animals. There are storytellers and then after you go through the town, you can witness the birth of Jesus.

Justin and Blake at the synagogue.

This is Peter talking to us and telling us stories about how interesting his life has been since he met Jesus!

One of the things I especially like about this particular "Back to Bethlehem" is that they don't finish it with the birth of Jesus. They feature his birth and then his life ( a little) and then the Crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is awesome to watch it and watch the kids faces and the adult's too. It reminds us that the story didn't end with his birth. I have to admit though that the Jesus hanging on the cross last night had a hoodie under his crown of thorns. :) And Justin was quick to point out that Jesus didn't wear warm boots like the kind that the resurrected Jesus wore.

But they did a great job and I feel for them having to stand (or hang!) in that cold for 3 hours each night. Then the church serves hot chocolate and cookies to warm everyone up inside. We love going each year and hope you can find something similar to attend. If you live nearby, tomorrow night is their last night for this year.

Another way that we try to keep Jesus the center of attention is by having Baby Jesus part of our celebrations in our house. This started years ago when Jennifer was probably 4 or 5 years old and we were decorating the house for Christmas. She ran upstairs and got a baby doll and dubbed him "Jesus" and wrapped him in a baby towel(swaddling clothes!)and laid him by the tree. Then that night the kids and I and baby Jesus went out to see the Christmas lights on the outside of the house for the first time. It was so neat to have Baby Jesus join us for such special moments. After that year, Papa Bill made a manger for Jesus to have a place to lay. Nothing fancy but a safe place to sleep. Now, every year Jesus makes his debut when we decorate for Christmas and gets to enjoy special moments throughout the season with us. I don't usually put many Christmas presents out (thanks to reading about too many burglaries at Christmas time!) until very close to Christmas so when you look at our tree, you will usually just see Baby Jesus laying in his manger with his swaddling clothes. But it reminds me that HE is the reason for the season!!
So, Baby Jesus has joined us again this year and the kids wanted to get some pictures with him.