Bethlehem Live sells out two weeks before event
“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.”
Similar Articles
Blended & Blessed offers hope to blended families
Canadian children are increasingly being raised in blended families. According to the 2016 census, more than 20 percent of infants live in a single-parent or blended family before their first birthday. That number rises to 36 percent for children between 10 and 14 years old. While many churches have programs and […]
The Church in the storm
“This storm actually was more devastating than both the ice storm and the tornado.” Donna Boisvert leads Respond Ottawa, a rapid-response task force established by Ottawa’s churches to help in natural disasters. Her team is coordinating with Samaritan’s Purse and churches across the region to lift the city out of distress and bring God’s […]
Church beyond the walls
Throughout the pandemic, pastoral care needs increased in many congregations. At the same time, pastors juggled the adaptation to Zoom, constantly-changing rules, and a new dynamic with their congregants. That’s where the Ottawa Pastoral Care Training Program (OPCTP) comes in. The program trains lay people […]
Christian riding club donates motorcycle to Tanzanian pastor
The Canadian Christian Riders connected with Partners in Hope Tanzania to donate a motorcycle to a Tanzanian pastor. The new motorcycle will help the African spread the Gospel and encourage believers in difficult-to-reach villages. “We think this is a natural fit for a motorcycle riding club […]
Resolving rage
Anger is often an indicator of unresolved matters of the heart. Some people express anger, while others absorb it. Regardless of how you deal with anger, it can have negative health impacts, both physically and emotionally. “Holding anger can potentially lead to high blood pressure or heart […]
Challenged into freedom
Teen Challenge Canada is opening an addictions treatment centre in the Ottawa Valley, and even before launching the centre is already bearing fruit. “I joined the choir and we took a trip to the Ottawa Valley to raise awareness for this new centre. While on that trip, I came to know the Lord.” […]