7 stops featured on upcoming Journey to Bethlehem

As families prepare for the holiday season, it is often important to reflect and remember the true reason Christmas is so meaningful and special.

For 14 years the Walnut Creek Community Association has been helping to remind the local community the real reason as to why Christians celebrate each December by offering its Journey to Bethlehem event, to be held Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6 and 7.

From 4-8 p.m. each day, visitors will experience the sights and sounds Joseph and Mary went through as they prepared to welcome baby Jesus. There are seven stops throughout the event that can be visited in any order, after first registering at Walnut Creek Mennonite Church, 2619 County Road 144, Sugarcreek, where participants will receive a map.

First, register as Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to be taxed. Enter under the carport and hear live music in the sanctuary and then visit fellowship hall to register to be taxed and receive your map that shows the stops and the Scripture that supports each remaining journey location.

Participants will then drive to Walnut Creek and park across the street from the Carlisle Inn in the Der Dutchman Restaurant parking lot to visit Coblentz Chocolate Company, which will be transformed into the Busy Marketplace of Bethlehem. Visitors may enter and travel through the “street” scene typical of Jesus’ time period.

Then walk to Carlisle Inn to watch the scene play out as Joseph asks the innkeeper for a room and is only told that nothing but a stable is available.

Attendees can then walk to Carlisle Gifts to see the angels appear to the shepherds. Stand on the sidewalk there and listen to the angels announce to the shepherds that a king has been born.

After the visit to Carlisle Gifts, visitors will walk to Yoder’s Hardware (enter at the back of the store), where they will become part of King Herod’s court and see the wise men ask King Herod about the rumor of the newborn king.

For stops No. 6 and No. 7, participants of the journey will drive to the Farm at Walnut Creek to see the wise men on their journey and view the live nativity scene. Enter at the main entrance, where you will be greeted by census takers who will direct you to parking monitored by Roman soldiers on horseback. Park and board a wagon that will take you to see the live nativity scene in the barn, where there will be many live animals to see and angels singing.

Get back on the wagon to then be taken to see the wise men and then to the large house where you will receive complimentary refreshments. There also will be a fire for roasting marshmallows and kettle corn being made outside by the barn.

There also are 3,000 luminaries in Walnut Creek and at the farm to help light the way for participants.

The Walnut Creek Community Association plans, prepares and presents the event.

“As the event keeps growing year over year, we decided that it’s necessary to put a team in place to focus on the event,” said planning committee member Leon Hershberger of Mast Farm Service, joined on the committee by Merle Hershberger (Hillcrest Orchard), Tim Schlabach (Bfearless), Rose Hershberger (Trail Battery) and Matt Yoder (Walnut Creek Mennonite), along with the team at the farm. “It is amazing to watch how a team of people can make the workload so much lighter and enjoyable.

“We truly have a great community to host an event like this, and it couldn’t be done without all the volunteers that help out, so just a big thank you to them.”

Because there is no fee involved and visitors can participate in the journey at the time and pace they choose, it is perfect for families of all ages and sizes, church groups, youth groups, groups of friends, and even the solo individual.

People can arrive anytime from 4-7:30 p.m. to begin the journey, which means the flow of the crowd is continually moving. There are lines at the stops in the early evening. Many people are in line by 3:30 or 3:45 p.m., creating a rush and lines initially.

Stops may be visited in any order. Both walking and driving is required. Admission is free, and no preregistration is required. Be sure to bundle up and be prepared for chilly weather.