Verona_fm_09-49

Jeff Green | Dec 10, 2009

For the past month, hammers, drills and screwdrivers have been heard at the Verona Free Methodist Church. But no, the church is not building an addition; volunteers are busily engaged in building a village within the church. It’s not just any old village, mind you; it’s the village of Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth, along with the throne room of King Herod.

This year, instead of a traditional Christmas dinner, the church’s main event will be “A Walk to the First Christmas”, which will be held on Saturday December 19. Visitors will be able to enjoy a guided walking tour, with actors and interpreters, through the various scenes that are being built, and at the end of the tour, they can sit down with the wise men to a first century meal in Herod’s throne room. There will be two tours, one starting at 6pm and one at 7:30 pm, each lasting approximately 60 minutes, including the meal. The event is completely free and reservations are not required. Everyone is welcome to just come and enjoy the presentation.

The meal will be as authentic as possible. Some of the components that church members have been asked to bring to it are: almonds, figs, roasted meat, pita bread, pistachios, pomegranates, goat cheese, honey, and chicken soup.

The event was the brainchild of Scott Ball who is spearheading the project. He brought the idea to a church meeting and it was well received

In the past, the church has held live outdoor nativities, but this is their first attempt at a live indoor nativity. “It’s a tale that’s definitely growing in the telling,” said Pastor Jeff Nault. As the project has developed and enthusiasm has grown, more aspects have been added in. The presentation promises to bring the Christmas story to life in a new way, with the sights, sounds and tastes of first-century Bethlehem.