In the true spirit of the season, the Bethlehem Walk will be held again in Rimbey, symbolizing in a special and unique way, the Christmas story.
The walk is to be held Sun. Dec 8 at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. and will take place at the Alliance Church property on 54th Ave.
The walk will take modern day travelers to several stations where actors dressed in appropriate costumes will do their part to depict the walk Mary and Joseph took to Bethlehem where the baby Jesus was born.
The age-old Biblical story is re-created through the help of local farmers who bring in hay and live animals as well as through a sound system and special lighting.
The walk begins appropriately with an actor portraying Mary who is holding the baby Jesus in the manger.
The angel Gabriel also makes an appearance at that time.
Actors dressed as Caesar and some dressed as tax collectors accept monetary and food donations for the food bank at the second station.
And, the third station is set up as an inn where there is no vacancy.
The fourth station is a shepherds’ camp where those participating in the walk can sit on straw bales and shepherds mill about talking about the wonders they have seen.
The Christian Reform Church choir dressed in white robes portraying angels singing of Jesus’ birth make the fifth station a truly magnificent, awe inspiring part of the walk.
And finally, in the lowly manger in the hay is the baby Jesus, the three wise men and Mary and Joseph, surrounded by livestock which concludes the Christmas story and the Bethlehem walk.
Dawna Providenti, one of the many people who help organize the event and is also one of the actors said she loves being involved.
“It’s amazing. It’s disappointing when it is over. To see that many people come together and the representation from all the churches is wonderful. We have brought together a really nice night for the Christian community.”
Spectators are welcome to come into the church for refreshments following each of the performances. Stuart Lyster will also provide hayrides for the children.
Donations to the Rimbey Food Bank are gratefully accepted.