Some South Carolina Baptist churches and ministries are sharing the Christmas story with people in a distinctly open-air, movie-set sort of way by constructing displays depicting the town of Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born.
Connie Maxwell Children’s Home will present “A Connie Maxwell Christmas” at its main campus in Greenwood Dec. 3-5. The event features Christmas music and buildings lit with festive Christmas images. Horse-drawn wagon rides and hot cocoa will be available for children of all ages to enjoy. Guides will take visitors on a walk through a nativity scene. The event lasts from 6:00 to 8:30 nightly and is free to the public. Visit www.conniemaxwell.com or call 864-942-1400 for more information.
First Baptist Church, Gilbert, on Peach Festival Road, will host “Little Bethlehem” for the third year. This free drama will be held Dec. 11-13 and Dec. 18-20 from 6:30 to 8:30 nightly. “Little Bethlehem” features a recreation of shops, homes, and a live Nativity scene complete with animals. Church members dress up as Mary, Joseph, wise men, shepherds, and townspeople and interact with visitors. Visitors check in with census takers before taking the 15-20 minute walk through the town. “This mission project has brought our church to a new sense of unity that has blessed us all,” a church spokesperson said. For more information or directions to “Little Bethlehem” visit www.fbcgilbertsc.org or call 803-892-3699.
Located in Inman, Holston Creek Baptist Church also features an outdoor dramatic recreation of Bethlehem. The church will host “Bethlehem Walk” for the eighth year Dec. 11-13 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the church, located off New Cut Road in Inman at 311 Holston Creek Church Road. The guided tour, which features a scripted drama and a cast of more than 150 costumed participants, takes visitors about 20-30 minutes to experience. The drama, written by Reggie Parker, pastor of Holston Creek, consists of actors portraying the story of the birth, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. For additional information about this free event, visit www.holstoncreekbaptist.com or call 864-472-2663.
“Come to Bethlehem” is will be presented by Bethea Baptist Retirement Community and local churches in Darlington. The event is free to the public and will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 nightly at the Bethea campus Dec. 10-12. Those who come to the event can walk or drive through the setting. The drama consists of more than 200 actors portraying angels, villagers, wise men and Mary and Joseph. There are also live animals. Contact Ashley Rhodes at 843-395-4402 or arhodes@scbma.com for more information.