Just one hours drive from the bustle of the growing Metro-Plex of Dallas, Texas you can be swept back in time. We loaded our youngest boys and headed for this quaint piece of the past to discover the wonders this once booming city held for us. As we entered on Main Street we passed jewels of architecture built in the late 1800's and early 1900's all dressed in their Christmas glory. We "oohed and awed" at what seems to have been a more simpler time in life, though not without its own struggles, as the city tells the story of a boom town where the glory days have left, leaving behind emptied downtown business fronts.
As we continued past the wonderful homes along Main Street, onto the city square, there stood the beautiful Court House built in 1829. The calmness of the streets reminded you that modern day conveniences have moved business out from the square and near the highway. I soaked in the past as we took pictures of the courthouse, while the revitalized movie theater hold its last live performance of the season. We all stood in wonder of the gifts of past builders...carpenters.
Yet we hadn't come for the American carpenters or architects gifts, we came to re-visit the excellent re-creation of the City of Bethlehem This small community gathers her resources to give all those who travel near or far, the real meaning of Christmas, a eternal gift of the story of one humble beginning....over 2000 years ago.
Stroll with me through my inadequate pictures. Let your heart wonder back to those humble beginnings. Let your child's heart be swept away in awe. (this was one of the first words I packed in my stocking, the heart of a child's wonder). Let the Lord tell you His story through the Rabbi and those who like Simeon waited to see the birth of the Messiah. Listen for the crowds and the word, "I have no room." that were said to Mary and Joseph. Ponder, as Mary did, what all this would mean for us. Enter the meaning of Christmas.
They stay in character as they teach. This man explains the weaving and the meaning of the "swaddling cloth". They are threshing flax, showing you how they dye the threads, and weaving.
The Rabbi teaching in the Synagogue.
The Menorah....He is the Light of the World, as he proclaimed in the Gospels.
The Roman soldiers along with their tents. They correct and move among the crowds in the city.
Benjamin was fascinated and took videos throughout the evening...these visuals will stay with him.
The High Priest and King Herod. The Magi, who left from his courts on camel to go find the King. The tax collector collecting the taxes in Bethlehem.
The young couple in the stable with their new child...the King of Kings!!
Thank you little town of Waxahachie, Texas, for sharing with your community your free Christmas gift, which allows us all to remember and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. May God Bless you all.
How wonderful! I love that this little town is still doing this!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your outing with us! :)
What a special time. Did you do something like this last year? I vaguely remember something...perhaps not here... Yes, Benjamin will remember for a long, long time as will you all.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful. I sure wish there was something like that near us. You have made such special memories today.
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed a wow wonderful time -- cherish the moment I would too..
ReplyDeleteHugs..
This is wonderful! Gosh, I wish I could have gone with you. To walk even a moment in the town where Jesus was born (even in one's imagination) - what a treat.
ReplyDeleteGOD BLESS!
Oh Janette what a wonderful thing to get to do! My grands would LOVE something like this. Maybe we would have to travel to Texas though,haha. They used to have a church out here called the Crystal Cathedral that had a Christmas story extravaganza. They told the whole Christmas story in a play complete with live camels and sheep etc. The angles flew (quite literally) and it was all quite wonderful. I LOVED it. Saw it 2 or 3 times over the years. They don't do it anymore so the younger grands will never get to see it. Enjoyed your pics!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful!!! A local church here used to do a drive through Christmas journey, but they don't do it anymore. I would love to visit your Bethlehem town.
ReplyDeleteHow very nice. I think it looks like such a nice time. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteWhen you get to visualize something as it would have been it has such a greater impact don't you think? I would have loved this, enjoyed it through your photos. Your son's will remember this in years to come
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to have a visual to enhance our own pictures of the birth of the Babe so long ago. Not only for your kids, but for us adults as well. What a special place you have to visit!
ReplyDeleteGood for little Waxahachie, I'm so proud of them. We have a drive through nativity right across from the area I live in done by a small church. It's so meaningful to those who drive through it.
ReplyDeleteYou always find the best stuff in our state!
I've seen this very same gift at a church in Southern California and it is truly truly amazing. I can't even imagine all the work that goes into a production as realistic as that. I'm so glad your family got to be a part of the joy.
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit this place someday :)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea they did this in Waxahachie! How sweet! I bet Benjamin LOVED it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a huge undertaking but what a gift. Thanks for posting the photos.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for sharing it with us. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeletethey certainly try for authentic! really neat!
ReplyDeleteJeanette...this is so cool. I took my girls to something similar a couple of years ago and we all loved it. Really made the bible story come alive.
ReplyDeleteWe are so excited that tonight the live Nativity will start at Trinity Baptist Church here... You can just feel the wonder... blessings and hugs ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to remember the reason for the season. You create such wonderful memories for your children. I am sure they treasure them :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you got to do this with your family, Janette! In 1998, I was privileged to coordinate the very first Pilgrimage to Bethlehem at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Alexandria, LA. We started from scratch ... designing/building the entire city of Bethlehem, writing the script for the traveler-guides, making costumes. It was our church's gift to the city and even included a pre-tour Christmas program in the sanctuary while guests waited for their tour. The gift continues still (every other year). The experience is one of my fondest memories. Imagine immersing yourself in and focusing on the REAL Christmas for a year-and-a-half while planning to share the story with others. It was a life-changing experience! Merry CHRISTmas to you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful...the story of Christ's birth is etched in my mind and heart...thanks for sharing this awesome adventure you and your family had..(((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteOh, Janette. Thank you for sharing this! Absolutely amazing. And so needed!
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