“Our hope and prayer is that many would hear the Good News of Jesus as they come through.”

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

Trinity Bible Church’s annual Bethlehem Live event is sold out. Despite COVID, the church found a way to press on with their interactive nativity experience.

“We believe that this year, more than ever, our community needs to hear about hope,” says Pastor Matt Rice. “Bethlehem Live is awesome not just because it takes you back in time, but it clearly puts the Christmas story all together and culminates with a very-clear Gospel presentation. Our hope and prayer is that many would hear the Good News of Jesus as they come through.”

Because of social distancing regulations, Bethlehem Live will be a drive through event this year. In previous years the event included 100 actors, as guests interacted with a bustling market and other scenes from First Century Bethlehem. This year, guests will drive through stations in the Osgoode church’s parking lot, as narrators share the Christmas story depicted by 30 actors.

The event is always free, but for tracing purposes this year’s guests have to reserve a spot through eventbrite.

“We had to adapt and we are happy to say that we are sold out (although it’s free) and have a waiting list,” says Jeremy Fraleigh, a member of the leadership team. “Unfortunately, we had to make limits this year, to make sure that actors and actresses can leave at a reasonable time per night and be rested for the next day.”

Past years have seen 500 to 1,000 guests over the event’s two days. Guests often waited up to an hour in the cold to experience Bethlehem Life. This year’s event takes place the evenings of November 27 and 28. Although it will be smaller, with guests staying in their cars, the team kept all the essential aspects intact.

Guests will be challenged by Fraleigh (dressed as a Roman soldier) at the church driveway. After he checks their tickets, they will proceed to Bethlehem, passing an elderly prophet who heralds what is to come. Each station has a narrator with a microphone.

“Vehicles will pass King Herod, then the Roman guards and prison area, the Wise Men, the shepherds, and then the angels. Once you pass the angels, you enter the markets of Bethlehem. Vehicles will pass by the hotel (inn) that has no vacancies. Finally, they drive by the nativity scene, where Mary and Joseph will be displayed with a manger and baby Jesus.”

Fraleigh says, ultimately their hope is that they “can get some people to learn the story of Christmas with Jesus’ birth and become believers in Christ.”