The Bethlehem Market Place is a FREE indoor walk-through drama with sights, smells and sounds of a Judean Market Place.

And they wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

Thirty years ago, our Beth Eden family decided to recreate the birth of Jesus. In doing so, we opened our hearts, used our talents, and gave to the city of Rockford, a gift, “The Bethlehem Market Place”.

Our talents and the ability as a church family have created great enthusiasm throughout the city, Our recreation of the birth of Jesus has touched many lives spiritually and emotionally. Our characters and actors quickly experience the warmth and kindness of the people viewing the marked place and soon are swept up with excitement. After months of preparations, we soon feel the many rewards of a lot of hard work and dedication from our gift to the community.

This year, as we celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus, let us continue to give hope, Joy, and peace to those surrounding us.

“For behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all the people, for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” Luke 2:10-11

 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)

At the time of the first Christmas, Bethlehem was a place where caravaneers plying between Jerusalem and Hebron could stop for provisions, The busy marketplace was the spot to hear all the latest news and gossip and to get to know the lifestyle of the people, This was a time of turmoil: Roman legions everywhere trying to control a stiff-necked race of people, The proud Jews bore the Roman yoke with smoldering hatred while they watched and waited for the promised Messiah to come to free them.

Join us on the street of Bethlehem, get to know the people, hear the gossip and celebrate the glad tidings with us. You have come into the city of Bethlehem at this special time, so stop a moment and visit the baby in the stable and feel the wonder, the thrill of this first Christmas.

Scripture

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. (Luke 2:16-17)