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Bethlehem Drive is a fun and effective way to witness to your community.
Stations are set up to tell important parts of the
Christmas story. Visitors drive through "Bethlehem", passing each station,
and finally arriving at
the manger scene.
Planning:
Decide on which "Bethlehem Stations" you will set up for cars to drive by and view.
Assign overseers to each station to recruit volunteers and gather
costumes and props for their station. You
will also need someone to oversee the handouts for the event, as well
as advertising
prior to the event (local paper,
radio, invitation flyers to send out to the church and community).
Set up your Bethlehem Stations in such a way as to have an entrance
for cars to enter your church parking lot, proceed pass each
station, then exit at another side of the property. Make sure the
stations are set apart with plenty of space between them so cars don't
get too backed up. If you are using this function as a
fundraiser, you can collect money at the entrance or donations at the
end. Stations could extend into Jesus' ministry, along with the crucifixion
and resurrection scene. You could also invite people to park their
cars, after they've driven by the stations, and come into your church
to watch the movie, "Jesus" or serve cider and cookies
during a Christmas carol sing-along.
Suggested Stations:
Entrance Greeters;
Census Taker;
Gabriel's Announcement
Townspeople and Bethlehem Shops;
Angels & Shepherds
Bethlehem Inn;
Wise
Men;
Manger Scene (live animals optional);
Exit Greeters.
Props:
Scroll (for the Census Taker).
Bible-time costumes. How elaborate you make them
will depend on your budget.
Signs to indicate the Stations. Make sure you have a "No
Vacancy" sign posted at the Inn.
Bethlehem Shops: (optional) Brooms, buckets, ropes and other
items in a village community.
Scene Backdrops: See silhouette patterns, below.
Lighting: Place spot lights at each station.
Handouts:
"Entrance Greeters" handout a "Bethlehem Map"
with information about each station along with its corresponding Bible
reference. The "map" could also include church service
information. "Exit Greeters" thank people for coming and
handout a gospel track, such as the Candy Cane Witness.
Speaking Parts:
Entrance Greeters warmly welcome people entering "Bethlehem", give
them maps and direct
traffic to proceed slowly, pausing briefly at each station and making
sure windows are rolled down to hear the actors.
Census Announcer: (Reading from scroll) "Here Ye, Here Ye,
Caesar Augustus has issued a decree that a census should be taken of
the entire Roman world. Everyone must go at once to their own town and
village to be registered!" (Luke 2:1-3)
Gabriel's Announcement:
Gabriel:
(to Mary) "Greetings, Mary, you are highly favored! The Lord is with
you. Do not be afraid. You will be with child and give birth to
a son. You are to give him the name, Jesus, because he will save
people from their sins."
Mary (to Gabriel): "How can this be? I am a virgin!"
Gabriel (to Mary): "The Holy Spirit will make it possible. You
will give birth to the Son of God."
(Luke 1:28-35)
Townspeople: Walk along the "Bethlehem street", speaking
to one another and tending their shops.
Angels & Shepherds:
Angel of the Lord (to the terrified Shepherds): "Do not be
afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all
people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he
is Christ the Lord."
(Luke 2:8-12)
Host of heavenly Angels: (first sing chorus of "Angels We
Have Heard On High" to the Shepherds)
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom
his favor rests." (Luke 2:14)
Inn Keeper: "We're all booked up. No rooms left! You might be able to squeeze
into the stable next door, that is if you don't mind the smell of
animals and a crying baby." (Luke 2:7)
Wise Men: (Speaking to some townspeople and pointing to the
eastern sky) "Where is the one who has been born King of the
Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
(Matthew 2:2)
Townsperson: (Speaking to Wise Men) "We heard he was born in that stable; right over there!" (Pointing to the manger.)
Manger Scene: (live animals optional)
Mary: (holding baby Jesus) "...My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior...His mercy extends to those
who fear him, from generation to generation..." (Luke 1:46-55)
Joseph: "The angel told me this would take place to
fulfill what the Lord said through the prophet, Isaiah: 'The virgin will
be with child and give birth to a son, and they will call him
Immanuel' - which means God with us." (Matthew 1:22-23)
Exit
Greeters: Thank people for coming and handout
a gospel track message. If your church provides more activities, give further
directions.
