Take a Walk Through Bethlehem
Ever wondered what it would have been like to walk the streets of Bethlehem on the night of Jesus's birth? This year, St. Peter's Primary School in Epping gives you the opportunity to do so with their special re-creation event, Walk through Bethlehem, to be held over three nights from December 18 to 20, 2015.
A new home at St. Peter's
Many people may remember Walk Through Bethlehem from the days it was held at St. Mary's Primary School in Thornbury, who previously hosted it for a decade up until 2010. Now, after a four-year hiatus, the popular community event created by Virgilio Marciano returns to a new home at St. Peter's in Epping.
Emma Canning, Director of school community at St. Peters, says: "The initial talk around bringing Walk Through Bethlehem to St. Peters was around 12 months ago. We had a committee meeting and asked: Do we want to do this? And overwhelmingly it was yes, let's do it."
The Walk Through Bethlehem experience
"A Walk Through Bethlehem is a recreation of Bethlehem city on the night of Jesus's birth. It's quite a magical experience," says Canning, for those not familiar with the event.
"You'll enter through the gates of Bethlehem and be greeted by centurions, then required to sign the census. Just as you would be if you were returning to Bethlehem on the night of Jesus's birth. As you make your way through the city you'll experience all kinds of trades of the times – from weavers to bakers to the shepherds with their live animals. There will even be camels. You take in 'the city of Bethlehem' until, of course, you meet the focal point: the manger with Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus."
Running from 9pm to midnight across Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the lead-up to Christmas, entry is by donation and is open to the public. Canning adds that there will be food trucks; designated dining areas to sit down and relax before and after a visit to 'Bethlehem'; and a stage with bands and musicians to entertain what they are expecting to be thousands of visitors. There will also be commemorative gifts and souvenirs available for purchase.
A community effort
"It's a really important community event. We have a lot of parents involved and a lot of the wider community. There is so much to do," Canning explains, noting that the contributions of volunteers have been invaluable.
"Last weekend, we had three large shipping containers delivered full of props and sets that had been in storage for the last few years. The 'city' also started to be constructed. So there's temporary fencing on some of our yard. Our volunteers are working very long hours up until the day, seven days a week. We have volunteers coming in and building. We have community members sewing and making costumes. And obviously on the three nights we have quite a lot of people volunteering to be in the scenes and behind the scenes work too. There's lots of community involvement."
The true spirit of Christmas
Walk Through Bethlehem offers a unique Christmas experience for families.
"Our objective is to build that sense of magic, that sense of community," says Canning. "What's that true spirit of Christmas? As a Catholic school it's important to acknowledge, yes it is about the birth of Christ, but also it's about family and goodwill to others."
CCI Personal Insurance is proud to support Walk Through Bethlehem, which will be on at St. Peter's Primary School, 32 Wedge Street, Epping, on December 18, 19 and 20 from 9pm to 12am each night. Entry is by donation.
Visit the Walk Through Bethlehem Facebook page for event news and updates.