Breakfast in Bethlehem

“Where are we going, Mama?”  Dylan asked me this morning as I began to rush him, urging him to get ready.  “To Breakfast in Bethlehem!”  I replied with all the excitement that I could muster on an early Saturday morning.  “What’s in there?”  Dylan continued asking.  (He can’t remember what happened yesterday, so I have gotten used to having to explain familiar things to him over and over and over and over again.)  Since I didn’t have much time for long and extended explanations, I just said, “there are animals in there!”  To this, Dylan’s eyes opened wide as he asked, “real ones?”  “Yes, Dylan, real animals and you can…”  He didn’t let me finish for he left the room in mid-sentence, went downstairs and told Dan, - who had already repeatedly told him to get ready so he could come earlier with him, all to no avail, - “Daddy!  I’m coming with you!”

I sighed, chuckled and praised God for this day.  “Breakfast in Bethlehem” is a wonderful annual event that the Marshall Family puts together in the middle of the Advent season with the help of countless other volunteers at our New Bedford Church.  It is truly experiential.  Children from our community come in and have a chance to wander around the different stations as the church is turned into our version of the little town of Bethlehem.  Personally, I head to the food first of all; and then, due to my allergies, I try to stay away from the hay as much as possible so I can maintain my breathing capacity to the max.

This year my allergies were particularly bad, so I spent most of my time standing safely by the entrance.  From my vantage point, I had the opportunity to watch the hustle and bustle of “Main Street.”  It was the first time I had the privilege of just contemplating “Breakfast in Bethlehem,” and it was a great experience.  I saw children’s faces light up as they heard Glenda, at the registration table, inform them that they could head down the hallway to find costumes to wear.  Shyly, but with a twinkle of anticipation in the eyes, the children paraded toward the costume room where Diana waited for them, ready to help them turn the most eclectic collection of material and other “accessories” into fabulous outfits worthy of kings, angels, townspeople or shepherds. 

I saw our very own grown-up angel, Jackie, floating around the “strip” bringing cheer to all who saw her walking by.  I decided to venture through “downtown” to check it out, and saw Kim, faithfully helping children make their clay beads with Shirley next door, offering tasty treats.  And, of course, in the stable with the live sheep, donkeys, rabbits, calf, and alpacas laying gently in the manger was this year’s baby Jesus, little Grace Elmer in all her splendor, under the careful watch of Rachel who played Mary.  One of my favorite parts was seeing Dylan hammering away at nails on a cross guided by Gary as Joseph in his carpenter's workshop.  I didn’t last long there for the livestock stirred my allergies.  So as I walked back to my original spot, Grant made rolls with Gay Ann in Mary’s bakery across the “street” from the fellowship hall where the puppeteers were getting ready for their show under the leadership of Geniene.  That’s also where breakfast is served buffet-style, managed by a multitude of helpers who offer visitors all kinds of goodies with a smile on their faces and a pot of coffee or a jar of juice in their hands. 

I stood at the entrance again for a little while and saw Marti and Brad Marshall, the engineers of this event, walking back and forth, trouble-shooting here and there with their characteristic ease, and their hearts filled with joy as they saw yet another “Breakfast in Bethlehem” come true at our beloved church.

It was time for me to go.  I went and found the boys and told them that they were under Daddy’s rule now.  I waved goodbye to Dan and walked outside to my car.  I breathed in the crisp morning air and thought of the great morning the Lord had given us today.  I’m so glad and thankful that my boys have a church that offers them the opportunity to become actors in a life-size pretend Bethlehem, made just for children like them to whom the Kingdom of God belongs.  And the greatest thing, which I didn’t hear about until I was home later in the afternoon:  Grant even had the chance to tell the Story of Jesus’ Birth to other children at Jackie’s storytelling place! – (This is a black-lit cave-type-concoction where kids of all ages crawl in to marvel at a recount of the events of 2000 years ago.)

“Breakfast in Bethlehem” gives us, as parents, another opportunity to keep the meaning of Christmas in the forefront of the season for our children.  It helps us surround them with all things Christian and all things good.  It is an event so full of wonders divine that Grant told me at night that he wishes “Breakfast in Bethlehem would last all day.”  What a blessing!  And for that, I praise the Lord – (and the Marshall Family too : ) -.

It was wonderful to spend the morning in the little town of Bethlehem which received our Savior in its arms and kept Him safe in such a humble state.  Fully man and fully God at the same time; Jesus guide our path today with Your perfect light.

O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel