Taking a Journey to Bethlehem
More than 700 people take in live nativity scene show in Norwood
A good chill in the air and a hearty helping of fluffy white snow under foot did nothing to dissuade the Norwood Pentecostal Church from presenting their annual Journey to Bethlehem interactive Christmas time event on Saturday and Sunday.
This year marks the seventh time the County Road 40 church has mounted their live interactive show, a production worthy of any Hollywood stage. An army of church members and volunteers spend weeks preparing before bringing the Christmas story to life through an interactive journey of the first Christmas.
About 700 visitors from the community and beyond visited the church to make the pilgrimage through the unique set up of shelters and campsites constructed in the field behind the church. Guests were greeted on arrival and assigned a parchment for the census at Bethlehem, then assembled into groups with a leader they begin their journey to Bethlehem encountering and visiting with shepherd families, bandits, the three wise men, a choir of angels and a couple of Roman centurions along the way before finally reaching Bethlehem.
After registering for the census and making their way through the bustling town market place, visitors were refused lodging in the inn and sent on to the stable. On the path to the lowly stable an angel appears to deliver the good news just before they discover the Nativity. After their chilly trek to Bethlehem, visitors are invited to return to the church for some tasty treats and hot refreshments.
The event had a cast of more than 70 plus several live donkeys and sheep as well as numerous volunteers working behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly. Several weeks of preparation and planning were needed to make sure the various shelters and buildings, costumes and props were ready. The organizers extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone involved for a creating such a memorable event and to all the visitors for coming and discovering or re-discovering the real “Reason for the Season.”
IODE news
The Norwood IODE held their Poppy Day Lunch and Bazaar a few weeks ago in November.
The much anticipated annual event featured plenty of tables of home baking, knitted items, crafts and new to you articles; as well as a wide variety of vendors showcasing their unique wares.
This year’s door prize winner was Ross Althouse. The draw prize winners included Shirley Hartwick, Sheri Monhee, Dianne Klorten, Kerstin Walsh, Al Godin, Deanna Althouse and Paula Kartes.
A scheduling conflict caused the popular bazaar to move from the Norwood Town Hall to the Millennium Room this year, the new location was very well received and will likely be used a permanent change for future years.
The IODE extend their appreciation to everyone who helped make the bazaar one of their best ever.
Leahy concert
To celebrate their 150th anniversary next year and to give back to the community that has always supported them, the Norwood Fair has organized and sponsored a special concert for Mother’s Day, May 13, featuring The Next Generation Leahy (the children of the famous Leahys). All of the ticket sales are being donated to the Norwood Hospice project.
The concert would make a wonderful gift for a friend or loved one this Christmas. (It is taking place on Mother’s Day so maybe tickets for mom?) Tickets are only available at Lynn’s Flower Shop Norwood (beside the town hall). Seating is assigned and tickets cost $35 each, payable by cash or cheque only. The show is expected to sell out, so you may want to get your tickets ASAP.