It was mid-2020 and the RtB Executive team in Mildura were able to meet in between lockdowns.
Below is an excerpt from our Agenda.
- Do we cancel?
- Do we go online?
- Can we even do this?
Cancelling was not an option, and it was felt that an online event would not be popular with our local community.
So, we got creative, VERY creative. After many lively discussions and prayer, Road to Bethlehem – the drive through was born.
God found our way for us and led us to two very successful RtB events. Very different from the walk through – but hugely popular.
What’s a drive through, I hear you say? Well, imagine heading out with your family on a warm summers night to look at the Christmas lights – sounds fun, doesn’t it? A great Christmas tradition that the team decided to tap into. The RtB drive through was just added to people’s Christmas lights list!
Cars were met at the entrance by some very friendly (mostly) Roman Soldiers who directed them through the grapevines at Henderson College. There may have been some heckling from other solders on the way, but friendly maids from the Palace soon greeted the arrivals and handed over an iPad providing the narration for each scene.
The first year we had five (5) scenes; Mary and Joseph, The Wise Men, King Herod’s Palace, the Shepherds and finally the Manger scene. In 2021 we added an extra scene – the Marketplace where urchins begged, locals heckled, and shopkeepers and traders sold their wares. Live animals and the aroma of fresh food cooking added to the experience.
Each carload was transfixed as the Nativity Story came to life around them. They were immersed in the sights and sounds of Road to Bethlehem, albeit in a different format to previous years. The actors were spectacular and, in some scenes, moved around the cars interacting with the occupants.
The stadium was lit up by a professional Lighting Coordinator, and images were projected onto the exterior which could be seen from afar. Fairy lights in the trees just added to the atmosphere.
Finally, each car stopped at the Community Team’s tent where iPads were collected, and gift bags handed out. Repeatedly we were thanked “for not cancelling”, “for finding a way”, and the best comment – “See you next year”.
We counted just under 400 cars and buses over the three nights, and we estimate approximately 1,800 people came through. Praise God for using our Church and School community to inspire and reach out to our region. It is all thanks to a God who strengthened us and stretched our creativity.
Thank you to all the helpers and actors. Without you there would be no Road to Bethlehem event. Planning for this year’s event is about to commence and hopefully we can go back to the traditional walk through. If not, we know that God will inspire us to be even more creative.
Written by Prue Piez