Celebrating Night in Bethlehem
By Brad Broadhead
On the nights of December 5 and 6, 305 visitors followed a lighted star to the Crossroads Centre in Oyen. Once inside, they entered a different world.
Roman soldiers patrolled the street. A census taker in a robe recorded their information (though not their money; admission was free). Walking into a starlit street, they heard a rabbi debating with a shepherd over a vision of angels, the sound of live sheep, a pitiful beggar asking for alms, a collector “demanding” taxes (the proceeds of which—$1,351.85—went to the Oyen and District Food Bank), and freshly made shakers beating out time.
From left, Ken Clements, Peter Winter, Leah Schmidt, Beth Symes, Hayden Bingeman, Andrea Shields, Pastor Brad Broadhead, Shirley Foot, Bill Kolkman, Lealla Broadhead, Elaine Michaels, Heather White, Sam Winter. Kneeling, Shelli Tattrie, Rowenna, Nigel, Elowen and Linnea Broadhead.
Missing from photo: Ken and Laurie Duffus, Kash Snell, Talon and James Walker, Jacob Niblow, Rayne Proudfoot, Chloe Proudfoot, Marilyn Lehman, Marilyn Kroker, Daniel Schindel, Chris Peacock, Cheryl Ball, Diana Walker, Scott Cowan (who brought the sheep), and the Holy Families: Chris Wilkinson, Michelle Hancock and baby Paisley, as well as Blake and Rebecca Hertz and baby Lydia.
Photo by Diana Walker
The rabbi (Pastor Brad Broadhead) tells a story and reads a prophecy, which a shepherd said had just come to pass. Photo courtesy Remember When Photography by Tracy Hudson
Vendors at the market (Leah Schmidt, Heather White and Beth Symes) display a variety of Mediterranean food. Photo courtesy Remember When Photography by Tracy Hudson
Visitors stop by the bakery where they try their hand at forming a bun. The Baker (Chris Peacock) helps them place the dough on the cookie tray. Later they returned to pick up their results. Photo courtesy Remember When Photography by Tracy Hudson
A shepherd (Kyna Fischbuch) stands guard for Baby Jesus (Lydia Hertz), Mary and Joseph (Rebecca and Blake Hertz). The Tax Collector (Ken Duffus) has found the Holy family in the stable. Photo courtesy Remember When Photography by Tracy Hudson
Camel herders (Rayne Proudfoot and Talon Walker) lead the camel (Kash Snell and Chloe Proudfoot) down the street, greeting passersby. Photo courtesy Remember When Photography by Tracy Hudson
The census taker (Ken Clements) took down information from visitors to Bethlehem. Photo courtesy Remember When Photography by Tracy Hudson
The Roman soldiers (Sam Winter and Peter Winter) patrol the streets. Photo courtesy Remember When Photography by Tracy Hudson
They smelled freshly baked bread, Mediterranean food, the anachronistic odors of cookies and hot chocolate, and, of course, the live sheep. Visitors could sew a pouch at the textile shop and drop by the inn (which had no vacancy). The rabbi told a story and read a prophecy, which a shepherd said had just come to pass. Hearing from the shepherd what the angels had said, visitors would find, at the end of the road, a mother and father with a tiny infant in a manger.
Ten times the Oyen Ministerial, in collaboration with countless volunteers and organizations, have welcomed visitors near and far to a Night in Bethlehem. It began in 2008, when Andrea Shields approached the Ministerial with the idea.
Preparations that first year didn’t start until September, and it ran for only one night. The afternoon of that opening night, the rock walls were still being formed and painted. But what a night it was—about 500 people crowded the street of Bethlehem. Shepherds warmed themselves by a fire in the parking lot. A certain energy filled the air.
Given the amount of work, future planners thought it best to expand to two nights. Shields recalls the enthusiastic acting of Roger Kett (the United Church minister) and Father Ian in particular in subsequent iterations. Steve Budd stands out in the memories of many for his role as a beggar.
One Night in Bethlehem, the temperature dipped to -40. People still came out. A wandering minstrel, who had previously interned at Oyen Evangelical Missionary Church, strummed his guitar—only to have it crack when he returned home to Saskatchewan. The Ministerial banded together to help fund a new one.
Yet the heart of Night in Bethlehem lies beyond old memories and spectacle. The birth of Jesus Christ two thousand years ago was a momentous occasion in world history, though only a handful of people realized it at the time. Whether you believe it or not, the story of his life, death, resurrection, and ascension has profoundly shaped the world in which we live. It forms the core of the faith of billions around the globe. As Canadians, we cannot understand where we come from—which is part of who we are—without it.
The generations that follow need to hear this story because it is part of our heritage. Some may even find the joy and peace it offers.
This is what Night in Bethlehem is all about.