In recalling the wedding banquet in Luke 14, put yourself in the shoes of the Master’s servants. It was their privilege to extend the invitation to the magnificent banquet given by their master. The servants knew the master. They knew the extravagance of his table and they were thrilled to be able to offer others what they, themselves, had already enjoyed. Many refusing the invitation, but many more came and were seated – the servants looked around at the table and said, “There is still room for more. (v22) They wanted the places filled, for they knew the value of this invitation and they couldn’t bear to think that a single seat was empty.
This excitement is how I explain the 26-year success of the ministry of Road to Bethlehem. At the heart of this ministry, is the sheer joy volunteers experience when they share (without agenda) the hospitality and invitation that the first coming of Jesus offered our world. So, when faced with cancellation in 2020, the corresponding disappointment was motivation enough to find a way! The Holy Spirit moved, ideas and creativity flowed, and the overwhelming conviction was that we were compelled by the love of our God to share The Story, using whatever means possible.
“Road to Bethlehem: Like You’ve Never Seen It Before” was the result of the Spirit providing every skill, creative inspiration and financial need necessary. Due to the generous support of many of our church members, covering our expenses entirely.
Here are some statistics that may be of interest to you:
- 10180 devices logged on to watch the premiere (remember that usually more than 1 person watched at each device) , the majority from around Australia but also from the USA, Canada, Philippines, New Zealand, UK and other countries.
- 15591 have viewed our website
- 209,971 Facebook Reach and 5354 Instagram Reach in December alone
- 1700 children have linked into RtB Kidzone
- $8094 was donated on the website, with 50% of this donated to ADRA
- 1755 Advent Calendars and 864 “Advent” Books were distributed
- 35 clicked on the link to attend Nunawading Church’s Christmas Program on the 19th December.
Just like the servants in the parable of the Wedding Banquet, we are so excited to offer the invitation to the table of the Master. There will always be vacant seats at His table, so the Road to Bethlehem team will faithfully continue to share the invitation.
Karen Horsley
WOW! That was wonderful. So clever the shepherd filming. Passed it on to my Uniting Church minister in Cowes Phillip Island. Thank you so much. (Nerida)
It was wonderful to see the great production of the old Bible story. I have sent the link to interstate family members to watch at their leisure. How great our God is to use the pandemic to spread the story of Christ’s coming to a much wider audience via electronic media. It can thus be seen by people who would not dream of going to a production and who think of Christmas as Santa Claus and Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and what gifts they will get. May God bless you all. (Ria)
What an amazing production I was so happy to find this program online and to be able to access it. I loved it – Thank you! The characters are so believable – not pious and removed from reality. That beautiful little baby was literally adorable. So much of the true meaning of Christmas has been stolen from us and continues to be eradicated by society and so-called political correctness. The madness that starts in October or November driving us to spend money to buy happiness for Christmas for ourselves and others while the image of that baby on hay becomes less and less visible. Your program inspired me to reflect on Him. I have a nativity set in my lounge which I am watching as I type. Thank You so much. God bless you. (Anne)
2020 Acknowledgements
Website Design: Shane Winfield; Customer Information Software & IT Team Leader: Nathan Hall; Gifting: Carlie Williamson & Janette Doyle & Team; Script Writer/Drama Director/Committee Chair: Karen Horsley; Script Editor: Sylvia Mendez ;Videographer & Post Production: Jarrad Gilson Oakland Productions; Props & Scene Design: Lindsay Ralph ; Costuming: Renee Sparavec; Virtual Choir Production: Mirek Stekla, Lorraine Roberts, Monika Kapusi, Phil Felberg and many singers; Actors: Emma Vidot (Mary), Ryan Vidot (Joseph), Liam Ferry (Baby Jesus), Nathan Brown (Wiseman), Nic Bolto (Wiseman), Paul Kleinmeulman (Wiseman), Jeff Dever (Soldier), Phil Stanton (Herod), Bryan Roberts (Shepherd), Yong Shin Chee (Shepherd), Patrick Rogers (Shepherd), Simone Austen (Innkeeper), Wendy McKeown (Host); Public Relations: Meredith Allen & Lesley Clark; Prayer team: Stacey Panozzo & Heather Pitt; Treasurer: Kevin Doyle; Committee Member: Dan Carey