NORMAN PARK — Visitors to the Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Norman Park can make a return to the City of Bethlehem Friday and Saturday nights.
The Rev. Shane Ashley, pastor of Norman Park First Baptist Church, said the third annual “Return to Bethlehem” will be held at the conference center Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6. Tours will begin at 6:30 each night after visitors register for the census at the auditorium. There is no charge to attend the event.
“This is our gift to the community,” Ashley said. “We want people to come and rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.”
Once the tour begins, Ashley said groups will be taken to see and interact with more than 100 church members in costume and live animals. The interactive story will take groups from the Temple, visit with Mary and Joseph, see Caesar’s palace, walk through the City of Bethlehem and end at the manger. The tour will take about 30 minutes to complete.
While in the City of Bethlehem, Ashley said visitors will be able to pass through some new and semi-functional shops. There will be fish cooking on the fire, wares for sale and a carpenter building a cross.
“This makes Christmas a little more special and puts the focus on Jesus,” Ashley said.
After having its Saturday night tours rained out last year, Ashley said he and the church are excited about this year’s event. Despite the rain-out of one day, about 700 people made it to the Friday tours last year.
Groups of about 20 people will be taken through the tour at a time, but Ashley said there will be entertainment after registering. The gospel group The Revelators will be providing music in the auditorium as groups wait to be guided into Bethlehem.
Local News
‘Return to Bethlehem’ again featured in Norman Park
- Local News
-
-
The Class of 2012 moves on
Colquitt County High School bid farewell to its 2012 seniors during graduation exercises Saturday morning at Mack Tharpe Stadium at Tom White Field. Scheduled for graduation were 471 students.
-
After high-speed chase, driver eludes police … for now
A Moultrie police officer failed to catch his quarry after a high-speed chase Thursday night, but a passenger in the vehicle gave him the name of a suspect.
-
Group works toward accountability court here
-
Students win for perfect attendance
-
Dough Boys Pizza open for business
-
Barber Tucker Inn reopens
-
Case ready for Jury
The 16 jurors in the trial of five alleged gang members finished hearing all of the evidence in the case Friday afternoon and could begin deliberating as early as Tuesday.
-
City pools to open Monday
-
Tragedy to keep Ryan James from graduation
Ryan won’t walk after all.
A hue and cry went up earlier this week when the Colquitt County Board of Education refused to let a senior with a developmental disability walk at today’s graduation. The board reversed its decision on Wednesday, but tragic events will prevent Ryan James from joining his classmates at Mack Tharpe Stadium. -
'Farewell Concert' set for Sunday
- More Local News Headlines
-
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
