A holy hush settled over the little town of Bethlehem at Harmony Baptist Church this past weekend as visitors were guided through the events of the first Christmas night.

Piercing the chilled air of the village and surrounding hills were the bleating of goats, the braying of a donkey, coos of doves, the baaing of sheep and the silence of the infamous plywood camels.

The weary Mary and Joseph arrived at the village only to hear the innkeeper’s “no room” and the slamming of the door in the face of the mother who would soon give birth to the Holy Son of God.

As shepherds watched their flocks, angels appeared bringing the greatest news ever proclaimed to the human race-Jesus, the Savior, the long awaited Messiah, had been born.

Excited shepherds, heeding the angel’s instructions and leaving their flock, found Mary and Joseph in a lowly stable adoring Baby Jesus as He lay sleeping, wrapped in swaddling clothes in a hay-filled manger.

A bright star led Wise Men from the East to the Christ Child.

There they presented Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh as they fell down and worshiped Him.

Visitors were then guided to a campfire surrounded by bales of hay.

There they rested for a few minutes and heard the rest of the wonderful story of Christmas of how Jesus did not stay a tiny, baby; but grew “in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man”, doing great miracles, healing the sick, and raising the dead.

And finally, giving His very life for all mankind on a cruel cross,

He paid for your sins and mine, paving the way for us to receive eternal life through His resurrection from the dead and acceptance of the greatest Christmas Gift ever given-Jesus Christ, the Lord!

Rich, hot chocolate and cookies awaited the guests as they ended their tour of the live nativity.

If you were unable to attend this year’s event, we would like to encourage you to make plans to visit our live nativity in the future as God ordains.

Harmony Baptist Church’s wish is that you and your loved ones will have a blessed and merry Christmas and a wonderful, Christ-centered New Year!