WALK TO BETHLEHEM KICKS INTO GEAR
As the holiday frenzy approaches and gift shopping kicks into high gear, a faith-based event called The Walk to Bethlehem prepares for its annual interactive telling of the Christmas story.
The 11th edition of the activity, put together with the help of 100 behind-the-scenes volunteers and 150 actors, singers and musicians of all ages, is organized and produced by the Hudson Community Baptist Church and takes place on the church grounds over two weekends, Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 4-5 in StLazare.
The walk takes place outdoors, so warm clothes and comfortable walking boots or shoes are recommended.
“In 10 years we’ve only cancelled once because of a big snow storm,” director Ronald Heron said. “But a nice dusting of snow is perfect for a Christmas event.”
“We’ve done it in the rain,” codirector Rebecca Heron said. “The angels were carrying umbrellas.”
What sets the Walk apart from other tellings of the birth of Christ is its interactivity. Visitors are paired with a guide and given “shekels” to use as they make their way to Bethlehem. Tours start out every 10 minutes. Along the way, they visit 12 stations where actors tell their part of the story through words and music. The Christmas story talks of Mary and Joseph riding on a donkey, the wise men arriving on camels, the shepherds tending their sheep and Mary and Joseph sharing the stable with animals, so horses, goats, sheep and a donkey of a certain age named Guinness are also part of the performance. Llamas stand in for camels.
“We have a team that works full time to keep the animals fed and happy,” Ronald Heron said.
Over 10 years ago, the church congregation was inspired by a Walk to Bethlehem they heard about in Ontario and decided the church grounds would be a perfect location for their walk. It started in modest fashion with a handful of volunteers telling the story, but has grown to involve more than 250 volunteers performing and helping out and to include a significant musical component. Last year, 3,000 visitors bundled up and took the alfresco walk in and around a structure on the church grounds that was once a riding stable.
There can be a bit of a wait in the parking lot before the tours begin, so this year organizers are installing two animal pens to keep visitors occupied and carollers to sing Christmas songs while they wait. The story is told in English, but three French-speaking guides are on hand to help translate when needed. Volunteers come from all over the region.
“It’s a real community event,” Rebecca Heron said. “One of the joys is to see everybody come together to help bake, hoist bales of hay, build backdrops, look after the animals and park cars.”
At the end of the one-hour walk, participants are served hot chocolate and treats and listen to Christmas carols.
“Sometimes we lose sight of what Christmas is all about,” Rebecca Heron said. “The Walk to Bethlehem is a reminder of the beauty and simplicity of the story.”
The Walk to Bethlehem takes place on the Hudson Community Baptist Church, 3141 Côte St Charles in St-Lazare, Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Nov. 28 and Dec. 5 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome to help cover the costs of the production and people are invited to bring non-perishable food items that will be given to the Dream Centre in Dorion.