Oh Little town of Bethlehem; Burnet Texas Live Nativity

Destination: Burnet, Texas, Live Nativity
Date: December 2012

The whole kit and caboodle, enjoying hot cocoa at the end of the nativity
December 2012

In December we love tradition.  I think tradition is one of the strongest things that binds us together as a family.  My kids love to bake cookies, pass out gifts to neighbors and friends, and decorate the tree together.  Everyone has a tradition that is worth passing on from one generation to the next.  One of our family's favorite traditions is visiting a live nativity.

Loaded up the van and headed to Burnet, about an hour and a half drive from San Antonio
We felt like shepherds following the star to Bethlehem
December 2012

About six or seven years ago a friend of mine told me about a live nativity that is preformed in Burnet Texas.  Though it is a little bit of a drive from where we live in San Antonio it is worth it.  It isn't just a live nativity with Mary, Joseph and of course baby Jesus, it is the complete town of Bethlehem!  Right in downtown Burnet is the town of Bethlehem that is dedicated to just the first two weekends of December for everyone near and far to visit. More info can be found at: http://www.fbcburnet.org

A home of wealthy townspeople in Bethlehem
Burnet, December 2012

The Burnet Bethlehem has everything I could imagine from the time our Savior was born.  The locals preform as locales of Bethlehem and act out roles like beggars, tax collectors, Roman guards, shop keepers, black smiths, the inn keeper, drunkards, to regular townspeople both rich and poor.  I can't imagine all that goes into planning and and carrying out this event.  Even the smells and sounds remind me of how it must have been in that ancient city so long ago.

Bella visits the woodworking shop in the town of Bethlehem
December 2012

A leper begging for shekels in the city
Burnet, December 2012

It is the First Baptist Church that puts together this function every year, and did I mention one of the best parts is that it is free!  Everyone is invited to come, remember, and respect the birth of our Savior.  I love how something so simple as this can bring so many people from different cultures, religions and backgrounds together as we all honor and try to imagine what it was like in that little stable so long ago.  What a great thing these fellow Christians have provided for my family!

The tax collector staying in character and quizzing his subjects
Burnet, December 2012

Lexi, Bella and their cousin "T" can't help but heckle this Roman solider
Burnet, December 2012

After waiting in line from twenty minutes, to two hours and twenty minutes, we were let into the gates of Bethlehem. (I've been in lines that were short to lines that wrapped around the downtown of Burnet but either way its still worth it!)  Once inside we were welcome to roam around the city at will.  Peeking our head into windows, going into buildings like the synagogue, or watching the tax collector reprimand the towns people for their lack of funds, it is all intriguing.  Even as we walked through with our children, my kids saw the child actors with their parents lending to the realistic atmosphere of the city.  The townspeople even whispered that the Savior had been born and the magnificence of such an event.  It all led up to the last area of Bethlehem where we walked through the stalls of real camels, donkeys, sheep, and goats to finally come across the stable where Mary, Joseph and the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ, lay in his mothers arms.

Bella negotiates the price of chickens from this woman in the marketplace
Burnet, December 2012

Visiting the synagogue in the town
Burnet, December 2012

Lexi makes chariot rides look like so much fun
Burnet, December 2012

After running through this amazing little city my kids fell silent as they came across the swaddled babe and a hush came through our group as they could feel the spirit of this activity.  Once we left the stable we were ushered out a long walkway that had the significant verses of scripture describing Christ's birth, and then out to a refreshment area where First Baptist Church members served us hot cocoa and cookies.  Though this activity is free there is a place to make a donation at this time.

Real camel in Bethlehem city
(Sorry for the terrible pics!)
December 2012

Leah gets locked up in the city square
Burnet, December 2012

In all,  I love sharing this tradition with my children and think it is one of the most important things I can do with them during this time of year.  Watching a great Christmas movie is fun, or seeing fun lights in towns that glow this time of year is entertaining, but this activity helps bring my children unto Christ like no other.  So if you asked any of my kids what their favorite Christmas tradition might be, I'm sure at the top of their list would be a trip to Main Street Bethlehem!

Mary, Joseph and our Savior were portrayed by these actors
Burnet, December 2012

 Tips on making this the best trip it can be:
*Take jackets and warm clothing!  It doesn't matter how warm it is in San Antonio it ends up being much colder in this part of Texas.
*Take hot cocoa and a picnic dinner to enjoy while waiting in line
*Be respectful of your surroundings and quiet to invite the spirit of this activity once you enter Bethlehem
*Make a donation at the end so we can all enjoy this activity for years to come!

Lexi and Leah enjoying the refreshments at the end of the city tour
Burnet, December 2012

Love how this brings my kids together
December 2012

On another note.... I have my first free give away for any of my readers out there!  Once the folks at Navy Pier in Chicago, read my recommendations on visiting their cool park they sent me some passes to  ride the ferris wheel, play some mini-golf, ride the wave swinger, or lighthouse ride, with no expiration dates!  If any of ya'll are planning on visiting Chicago or want to gift these to someone who lives in that area post a comment and then I'll have my kids pick a name out of a hat to decide to gets these 8 free vouchers!  Yeah!!!  Goodluck!!
And of course, Safe and Happy Travels!