ANGOLA — Thousands of people are again expected to visit the live drama of the day after Christ’s birth at “Bethlehem Marketplace,” which is put on by members of the congregation of Fairview Missionary Church, Angola.
“We are excited for our 34th year where thousands of people of all ages have journeyed through Bethlehem and been reminded that Jesus is the Reason for the Season!,” said the drama’s coordinator, Brenda Steury.
Bethlehem Marketplace is a walk-through drama depicting the day after Jesus was born. The event takes hundreds of volunteers and thousands of man-hours to create.
“I love how Bethlehem Marketplace is all about families serving together. We have generations serving together,” Steury said.
There will more than 300 people taking part in the production, from cast and crew to those helping with crowd control and parking.
If not for the COVID-19 pandemic, Bethlehem Marketplace would be in its 36th year; it took a hiatus in 2020 and 2021.
This year the cast will include volunteers as young as 6 weeks old (baby Jesus) up to some who are, let’s just say, in their mid 80s.
For most people, their favorite part of the walk-through is seeing a live “baby Jesus” in the manger at the end.
“For some, they leave with tears in their eyes as they imagine what that first Christmas must have been like,” Steury said.
The entire event is indoors. Those who choose to visit Bethlehem Marketplace will begin in the church sanctuary where the Christmas mood is set through live Christmas music and videos.
As the busy streets of Bethlehem allow, visitors will move into the foyer where they will visit the three wisemen who have just climbed off their camels to take a break.
Their journey will continue down the hallway where they will hear the shepherds speak of a miraculous baby being born and see King Herod, visibly upset at the news.
After the head of the household pays the family tax, visitors will enter the gym where the loud and busy marketplace will stimulate all their senses. The city is abuzz, as birth of a new King weaves its way through the crowd.
All types of vendors can be found in the streets trying to sell their wares, from fresh fish to spices of the orient. Finally, visitors will enter the serene manger where Mary and Joseph hold their new baby boy, Jesus.
This unique event that has been the signature event at Fairview will be on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7 from 2-5 p.m. at Fairview Missionary Church, 525 E. C.R. 200N, on the corner of S.R. 827 and C.R. 200N. As always, the event is free and all are welcome.