“One Night in Bethlehem” features a production that tells the story of the birth of Christ as those attending take a trailer ride through the grounds that are set up. There will also be a market set up and a petting zoo.
Courtesy of Ashley Edwards
A Christian center in Hammond puts together a free event for anyone who wants to see the significance of Jesus being born.
The event titled “One Night in Bethlehem” features a ride through a full production from before the birth of Jesus to modern day Christmas.
Calvary Christian Center holds the event annually and it will be taking place this year on Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
“The event offers a unique ride through presentation of the Christmas story,” said actor Ashley Edwards who has been in the production for the last five years. “You’ll then board the trailer of an 18-wheeler for your journey through Bethlehem. Starting with the prophecy of Jesus’s birth, you will take a step back in time and experience the unfolding of events leading up to the birth of Jesus.”
The whole production is scripted, narrated and spread out among the grounds.
“They take you on a trail,” said Myranda Triche, a general studies major. “Some set ups are on the left side, some on right. All the lights are off on them, and as you pull up to scene, the trailer will stop and then they shine a light on the display and where the scene is. They have a story that’s on the trailer, and as you move to the next scene, there is a narrator in between each scene.”
When stepping off of the 15 minute ride, viewers will be greeted with a special surprise.
“Upon exiting the trailer, you will be greeted by cheerful carolers singing by a large bonfire and a handful of smiling faces offering you cookies and hot chocolate,” said Edwards.
All who enter the event will receive a colored bracelet signifying the group they will go with to see the production. While waiting for their group to be called, the guests will have a chance to experience everything the event has to offer.
“Upon arriving, you will have the opportunity to browse the market where you’ll find a potter, basket weavers, an apothecary and a petting zoo just to name a few,” said Edwards.
For Triche, the event is a way to see something that you have read and heard brought to life.
“It was kind of eye opening as to what happened on Christmas,” said Triche. “The event is free and it is a great opportunity for someone to see something rather than read something. It clicks a little more.”
After viewing the reenactment of the past, the presentation takes viewers into the present.
“There’s also, toward the end, this scene where mom comes in with tons of gifts and bags and the kids are complaining about what they didn’t get and who they have to see at Christmas,” said Triche.
This scene in the production allows the viewers to look at what Christmas has become from where it started.
“It shows modern families and how we treat Christmas and how we really don’t appreciate the birth of Jesus,” said Triche. “That scene really wraps it up for us. It’s like ‘Wow, we should really appreciate Christmas for what it is and not for what society created it to be.’ Then, they change the scene into the true reason for the season.”
That is the goal of putting on the event every year is to give those attending a perspective on what is considered to be the best gift.
“The ONIB production truly puts things into perspective for each person who attends,” said Edwards. “During this time of year, we tend to focus more on gift buying and wrapping, catching the sales and finding or receiving that ‘perfect gift.’ When in reality, the only ‘perfect gift’ is Jesus. Focusing on His love for us and our love for others is what really matters this time of year.”
Edwards stated her opinion on why students, like Triche, should come to ONIB.
“Students should make an effort to attend this event because it is free and it is something different to experience with your friends in the Hammond area,” said Edwards. “Thousands of locals and large groups from the surrounding states attend ONIB year after year, making it a new Christmas tradition.”
For more information on the event and directions, go to their website onenightinbethlehem.net.
“One Night in Bethlehem” features a production that tells the story of the birth of Christ as those attending take a trailer ride through the grounds that are set up. There will also be a market set up and a petting zoo.
Courtesy of Ashley Edwards
“One Night in Bethlehem” features a production that tells the story of the birth of Christ as those attending take a trailer ride through the grounds that are set up. There will also be a market set up and a petting zoo.
Courtesy of Ashley Edwards
“One Night in Bethlehem” features a production that tells the story of the birth of Christ as those attending take a trailer ride through the grounds that are set up. There will also be a market set up and a petting zoo.
Courtesy of Ashley Edwards