Bethlehem Walk

This is an annual event held by the Parksville Fellowship Baptist Church. It has become an annual ritual for the locals. It is a labour of love for the 400 plus volunteers.

We waited in line in the pouring snow with a choir singing " O Little Town of Bethlehem", truly magical.

We were directed through, a small group at a time, by a centurion into a room where we were told to make sure we had paid our taxes! We then listened to a couple of chaps chatting about

Christmas and what it meant to them.

We were led through to a manger with calves asleep in the straw, to see Mary and Joseph

and baby Jesus. Mary told us why they were there and what had happened since the birth of Jesus. She said 'Jesus' was 5 months old and teething at the moment! The children in our group were invited to come closer and have a look at the baby and ask any questions.

'Jesus' loved the attention and started to gurgle at them. Worryingly, Tracy did get a bit broody at this point. Unless there is another 'immaculate conception' it ain't gonna happen!




The centurions then ushered us through to another room where we heard from a very Jewish shepherd and his grand-daughter about what had happened to them that night. They had all their sheep around them, eating the straw. There was a donkey munching away on some hay.

We were then at the start of a marketplace. There were many stalls with signs, some in Hebrew.

They were advertising exotic wares and services including a blacksmith, jewelry, used carts and an apothecary.

There was the smell of baking bread at the Dead Sea Rolls stall, we were given olives and a young girl was crushing grapes with her bare feet and offering us wine.... we passed on that!

All the artisans were carrying out their craft for us to watch, the stall holders were calling out promoting their wares, I was asked by the cage makers if I would like one to put my slave in!

Sadly they were not fast workers and I feared it would be Easter before they had made one big enough for my slave!

At the end of the market place, like Mr Ben, we were shown through a door by a Jewish lady and we found ourselves in a big hall with fairy lights and Christmas trees.

A choir was singing carols and there was even a camel wandering around!

We were shown to a table and brought hot chocolate and cookies, a welcome relief as we had got

quite cold in Bethlehem.

We sang along to the carols until we had thawed out, had a chat with another couple sat at our table and then made our way back out into the snow.

We marvelled at the ability the Canadians seem to have at making everything they do quality. Admission was by donation to a food bank. The effort and attention to detail was amazing.

We got home through the snow, and as if it was possible, feeling even more christmassy.