Bethlehem in the pitts

Have you ever wondered what Bethlehem was like that special night a couple thousand years ago when our savior was born? It must have been incredible. On the one hand it was the most important event in all human history, with the birth of the savior of all mankind happening in Bethlehem as foretold by the prophets hundreds of years before. And on that special night, it was announced to some shepherds by an angel who was then joined by “A vast host of others –the armies of heaven–praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased”.

On the other hand it was an incredibly humble event. Mary, a young Jewish girl, being basically at full term in her pregnancy, had to travel about 80 miles by foot, or perhaps on a donkey, with Joseph because a census had been ordered, and there was no exception for young girls about to deliver their first baby! When they arrived in Bethlehem there was no lodging available for them so they had to sleep in a manger. Can you imagine Prince William and Kate spending the night before her first baby delivery in a stable?! What a contrast from what happened to Mary and Joseph to what we would expect today for the birth of a Royal baby.

At any rate, it’s a story that deserves telling each year at this time, especially to our grandchildren, and if we can get a little help in telling the story, that would be a good thing.

And that’s exactly what the folks at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Pitts , GA decided a few years go when they started a live Nativity display at an old donkey barn owned by one of their members. It went over so well that they’ve outgrown the old barn and this year decided to build a new one to host the Nativity.

My neighbor’s wife has been teasing us the last month or so with Facebook posts re the barn’s progress. Last night, curiosity got the best of me so my wife and I went to see for ourselves where this Bethlehem re-enactment is going to be this Sunday, Dec. 15th at 5 PM. It’s on a perfect little triangular plot of ground across from the church building which has been set aside just for this purpose. In talking with Mike Holiday, one of the chief architects and builders of this project, I was told last night there would be live animals, music, and a cast of actors from the church to re-enact that special night.

Mike said they even looked into renting a camel for the occasion but it didn’t quite fit in this year’s budget. But he did say that hot dogs, and drinks did fit in the budget and that all were welcome to join them this coming Sunday at 5 PM.

We’ve invited all of our grandchildren that live nearby to come celebrate with us at Bethlehem in the Pitts. Will you join us at:

Pleasant View Baptist Church

74 Spruce Lane,

Pitts, GA, 31072

PS Bring your lawn chairs!

Bill Milby is a Director of Visiting Angels® of Central Georgia, a non-medical, living assistance service for seniors. If you have questions or comments about this column you can reach him at william.mercylink@gmail.com or search for us at https://www.facebook.com/VisitingAngelsofCentralGA/