Bethlehem Walk-Virginian Pilot

Several years ago Jack Jennings and his young granddaughter were driving in Virginia Beach's Little Neck neighborhood, taking a peek at holiday decorations.

Many of the homes were glowing with colorful lights, and a few of the yards were even plots for kitschy inflatable Santas.

But as they drove, Jennings couldn't help but wonder why there weren't any manger scenes of the Nativity, like when he was a boy.

He shared the comment with his granddaughter, who asked what a manger was.
The reply surprised Jennings and friend
Dan Duquette, a fellow congregant at King's Grant Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach.
"It struck him that there was a big generational gap of experience about the meaning of Christmas," Jennings said.

Their chat on the steps of the church was the inspiration behind the church's annual Bethlehem Walk, which takes place tonight through Sunday.

"We convert our church building into the 2,000-year-old town of Bethlehem," said Duquette, the event's coordinator. "It takes a construction crew about four hours to erect the walls and another three days to decorate."

The holiday event, now in its eighth year, is sponsored by King's Grant Presbyterian Church along with nearby St. Nicholas Catholic Church. It's not a show or a play, but rather an interactive experience that attempts to "transport" visitors back to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Jesus.
Upon arrival, guests walk through the Bethlehem set-up, encountering costumed actors playing shopkeepers, tax collectors, Roman guards and, most notably, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Along the way, they can sample fresh bread from the baker, sniff aromatic cedar wafting from the carpentry shop and pet small animals assembled near the manger.

"There's a lot to see, smell and taste," Duquette said. "We try to engage all the senses to bring the story more to life."

Before entering the gates of Bethlehem, visitors are given a card with information about their first-century "family," which allows them to interact with the characters they encounter.

"Many of our volunteers have grown up playing parts in Bethlehem," said Duquette. "Young boys who play shepherds when they're in middle school graduate to playing Roman guards when they become teenagers, and girls who work in the shops get to be angels when they get older."

But, of course, the starring role always goes to a newcomer.

"We are always on the lookout for young moms, so we can have a real live baby Jesus," Duquette said.

Or, several baby Jesuses.

This year's Bethlehem Walk will feature seven babies taking turns being swaddled in the manger.
Since its inception in 2006, the Bethlehem Walk has grown from hosting 600 visitors to more than 2,000.

For Duquette, the event's popularity is evidence of a growing frustration with the commercialization of Christmas.

"We are getting further and further away from its true meaning," Duquette said. "There are billions of dollars spent on marketing, and it's a challenge for parents to talk to their kids about why we celebrate Christmas, apart from all the talk of toys and Santa."

He said the message is getting through to the walk's participants.

"After the walk we have refreshments in our Fellowship Hall," Duquette said. "I've talked to dozens of kids over the years about what they thought happened during the walk, and almost every single time they say, 'The savior was born.'

"They get it. They understand the story."