The Journey to Bethlehem is a fairly new tradition for us, we started about three years ago. The journey helps to put all of our senses on the coming of the Messiah. There are feelings of apprehension, anxiety, anticipation, fear, inspiration, faith, sense of family, love, thankfulness, amazement, and JOY.
We all walk away feeling a little closer to the Holy Family and Christ, knowing that we’ve experienced a small part of what they may have experienced. We pray that we grow closer to the Holy Family throughout the entire Holy Season and year – where love, peace and joy reign.
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Journey To Bethlehem is an interactive walking tour from the town of Nazareth to Bethlehem. The journey recreates the events that happened on the evening of Christ’s birth. The journey begins as you become a part of a family (about 30 people) making a trip to Bethlehem to pay their taxes and be counted under the law of the land.
The trip, which takes about 45 minutes, and is one mile in length, will provide you with a glimpse of the events of the times. Your journey will start as you look at a map & speak with the mapmaker who will direct you on your journey. Along the way you will meet with other families who are journeying to their birthplace. You will talk with the shepherds who have a magnificent story to tell about a baby that has been born in Bethlehem, and meet the three wise men who also are seeking this child.
Your journey will be full of encounters with Roman Soldiers, both on horseback and in patrol teams. They will order you, "Jews" to comply with Roman Law.
The mysterious appearance of an angel who announces the birth of Christ, and a visit to the Bethlehem marketplace will quicken your spirit and fill your senses. The culmination of the trip finds you visiting the inn where there is no room for your family to sleep, and finally the stable where you will discover the Christ child, Mary and Joseph.
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Mother Teresa’s Prayer for Families
Heavenly Father, you have given us the model of life in the Holy Family of Nazareth. Help us, O Loving Father,to make our family another Nazareth where love, peace and joy reign.
May it be deeply contemplative, intensely Eucharistic, revived with joy. Help us to stay together in joy and sorrow in family prayer.
Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families, especially in their distressing disguise.
May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus make our hearts humble like his and help us to carry out our family duties in a holy way.
May we love one another as God loves each one of us, more and more each day, and forgive each other’s faults as you forgive our sins.
Help us, O Loving Father, to take whatever you give and give whatever you take with a big smile.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Holy Guardian Angels, be always with us, guide and protect us.
Amen.
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{pretty, happy, funny, real}
~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~ Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
I’ve never heard of such a walk – must be quite an experience.
We have been going since Hank was a wee little guy:) Would have been fun to bump into you! Your pictures turned out pretty well, considering very little light…I took a few this year but they weren’t very clear. Wasn’t that a great camel!? Praying you enjoy peace during this final stretch of Advent!