Journey to Bethlehem observes 25th anniversary

Village shopkeepers use the brief pause between groups to warm themselves by the fire during a 2012 performance of Capital City Christian Church's outdoor Christmas experience "Journey to Bethlehem."
Village shopkeepers use the brief pause between groups to warm themselves by the fire during a 2012 performance of Capital City Christian Church's outdoor Christmas experience "Journey to Bethlehem."

For 25 years, Jefferson City's Capital City Christian Church has offered its special gift to the community - the "Journey to Bethlehem."

"We want to remind us all, the reason that we celebrate the season," Associate Pastor Troy Easley said.

The "Journey" occurs again this weekend, from 6-10 p.m. today and Saturday.

The program takes participants on a walking tour that, in a quick way, suggests what it might have been like for the people of Israel to have to travel from their homes to their ancestral homes, so they could be counted in the Roman government's census - the trip Jesus' parents were required to take as Mary was nearing the end of her pregnancy.

"The story hasn't changed - it's been the same for over 2,000 years," Easley noted. "But the presentation of the Journey production has slightly changed over the years, as we constantly look for better ways to communicate to our guests the story of Christmas."

As in past years, the "travelers" will encounter a number of settings - and numerous animals.

"We have goats, sheep, horses, chickens - and we are going to have two live camels this year," Easley said.

But for people who've taken the journey in the past, the route has changed.

The land containing the trail used for the "Journey" for the first quarter century - east, toward Myrtle Avenue - was sold to Helias Catholic High School and eventually will become Helias' sports complex, with football and soccer fields, tennis courts and a track.

"We have built a new trail that, we think, will enhance the production," Easley said. "The new trail provides us with new opportunities for many of our scenes.

"We'll have a three-dimensional star over the stable, so you will follow the star as the trail wraps around to the stable."

The new trail, which covers land to the west of the church rather than to the east, is "more accessible to our guests this year ... easier for our guests to navigate and to walk," Easley said, "but it still is not handicapped accessible."

As in past years, this year's "Journey to Bethlehem" visitors should park at Capital Region Medical Center's Southwest Campus parking lot, on Southwest Boulevard, then take the shuttle back to the church.

"We'll take anyone who's in line at 10 p.m.," Easley said. "We've not had parking on the street outside the church for at least the last 11 years.

"Our neighbors were being blocked-in to their driveways."

The "Journey" begins in the church auditorium, with "various kinds of entertainment" while visitors wait to begin the tour.

The night ends in the church gym, with hot chocolate, homemade cookies, Christmas decorations and a chance to visit with others.

"We even have a model train set for children to enjoy," he said.

Most important, Easley said, the more than 250 volunteers who help stage the "Journey" want people to understand "the central story of all history."

"We want people to walk away remembering the reason we celebrate Christmas is God's grace in human history," Easley said, "that Jesus came - God came - in the form of man and lived among us and, through his life, he provided the way and the opportunity for us to go to Heaven."