Christmas Countdown- 23 days

We started our Christmas season tonight by going to the Church at the Cross in Grapevine for Journey to Bethlehem. It is an event that takes you back in time to the night Jesus was born. You take the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted in the census, just as Mary and Joseph did so long ago. Along the way, you come across the 3 Magi and the shepherds just before the Angel appears to them. They have real camels and sheep along the journey.

As you walk in, you are given a passport. There are passports for boys and passports for girls. They each have a name on the front that would have been used in Bible times.

This year, my name was Leah and Jay was Gedaliah. This is your ticket for the journey, and must be presented every time a Roman soldier asks to see it.

Once you reach the city of Bethlehem, your passport is stamped and you may enter the city. The city is set up like the market would have been back then. There merchants and children singing and dancing. Then you go to the Inn, where there is no room. You are told there are tents being set up beyond the stables. As you head to the tents, you come across Mary and Joseph, and their just born baby, Jesus.

It is an awesome event. This the fourth year I have gone. It is such a great way to start the Christmas season, with a reminder of what the season is all about.

If you're around Grapevine this weekend you should definitely check it out. www.catcfamily.com