Annual Living Christmas Story A Meaningful Experience

This past weekend, our new church, Bethany United Methodist, presented it's annual Living Christmas Story to the Charleston Area. Michelle, JD, Noah and I participated both Friday and Saturday nights as cast members.
Bethany presents this pageant each year as a gift to the community. The program is definitely a labor of love for those involved. The sets are professional and elaborate, it is amazing how many volunteers are needed for this to occur. From kitchen help to feed the cast members, to props, to costumes, traffic control, bus drivers, etc.
The Bethany Web Page can be accessed through this link http://www.livingchristmasstory.com/ if you would like to view professional pictures.

Here is an entry on the history of the Living Christmas Story from the web site:
History of the Living Christmas Story


A few nights each December, the parking lot of Bethany United Methodist Church becomes the city of Bethlehem. The pavement and the people are transformed into the Living Christmas Story, a drive-through re-enactment of the way life was 2,000 years ago on the night Jesus Christ was born. Not an ordinary Christmas play, the Living Christmas Story uses real people from the Summerville community who become the people of Bethlehem. Villagers, a blacksmith, the innkeeper, pottery makers, the marketplace and many more scenes come alive as you drive through and experience the night Christ came to us.

Often described as beautiful and moving, the Living Christmas Story is an experience that many thousands of spectators have witnessed over the years. The presentation features 19 scenes, viewed as vehicles travel a candle-lit drive winding through the Bethany parking lot. Visitors see the angel Gabriel talking with Mary; the holy family traveling to Bethlehem; King Herod on his throne; and angels sharing the news of Christ’s birth with the shepherds in the field. On the other side of Bethlehem’s city gate, visitors watch blacksmiths, carpenters and potters in a bustling market scene. There are centurions on horseback, fishermen mending their nets, and, most importantly, Baby Jesus resting in a manger.

The Living Christmas Story is a labor of love for Bethany members. Last year’s props had barely been boxed away when church members began planning and coordinating this year’s event. From costumes to construction to props and lighting, every detail has been carefully plotted to ensure that the Christmas story comes to life. In 2005, more than 225 people lent their time and talents to the pageant.

Begin your holiday season with an event the whole family will remember.