Everyone invited to local church’s “Bethlehem Experience”

The Tupper Lake Christian Center Church will again present for the community’s enjoyment “The Bethlehem Experience - A Living Nativity” this Saturday.

The event is about the true meaning of Christmas, church leaders say.

The church on Main Street in the Junction will be turned into what it may have been like in the town of Bethlehem on the night of our Savior Jesus' birth.  Church members will again try to keep it as authentic as possible and true to what the bible teaches. 

The event will take place on Saturday, December 13 from noon until 3p.m..  This is a free indoor community event and open to everyone and is perfect for families.

According to one of the organizers, Heidi Cheney, “We wanted to start doing something special for our community where they can look forward to experiencing something different and uplifting during the Christmas season. I don't think anything like this has been done in Tupper Lake that I can remember. There were some people who said that they have never experienced anything like this and were so happy that the church is doing this for Tupper Lake.”

The donkeys and goats are graciously provided by our friends Ken and Holly Besaw who operate "Thera-Pets" out of Schuyler Falls, NY.  This is a non-profit organization that specializes in programs for special needs children, for seniors in nursing homes and they have come to Sunmount as well.

“Everyone will love to snuggle with my sister Brenda's bunny "Waffles," who was here last year. But he has grown a lot and is now 16 pounds!  He's a Flemish Giant, the largest of the rabbit breeds and generally docile, making that breed perfect for the therapy program.  Brenda and her husband Mark (one of the Roman soldiers) help Ken and Holly with all their events and more on the farm.”

Mike Cheney has built all the sets and members of the congregation have been busy putting up the sets, preparing costumes, baking goodies and generally getting things ready for the experience.

This year the children will be able to go around to each booth and get a little trinket for their blessing bag!  

Also this year there will be a craft corner for the children to make ornaments and magnets or just sit and color if they'd like.

People can stay for a quick walk through and snuggle with the animals or they can stay the whole time and enjoy visiting with the community, snack on goodies, have a hot cocoa and have a relaxing afternoon.

Last year young and old alike had a wonderful time, some staying for a little while and some staying the whole time as they caught up with people they haven't seen in a while.

The church is ADA accessible.