I had the amazing privilege of planning our Ward Christmas party in 2015. At first I was hesitant to do "A Night in Bethlehem" theme because it required the coordination of so many things. To a supply chain expert like Tim it was quite a logistical undertaking. To make this type of theme a success it required a lot of decorations to mimic a typical market scene in Bethlehem during Biblical times. Yet we only had a budget of about $300 for everything....food, decorations, invitations, posters, children's activities, and pictures. Food alone could easily exhaust most of that budget.
After discussing this idea with my committee we all had faith that we could accomplish this and stay within budget. We had almost all decorations donated by ward members and members donated all sides for the food tables. The ward covered the meat, cheese, and mediterranean platters.
This was our backdrop for our Nativity play that would be part of our program.
Maren created a fabulous invitation that we rolled and tied with ribbon to look like a scroll and delivered one to each family. In the invitation it said that all members would be taxed. Their tax was to bring canned good that we donated to ProJeCt of Easton, an Interfaith Food Pantry.
We set up tents to appear like an open market for all those that came to be taxed.
I found a Hebrew type font and free handed the signs that went on each tent.
Bethlehem House of Bread
There was pita bread, naan, and many varieties of rolls.
Daniel's Delicatessen
We offered ham and a couple different types of chicken along with a couple Mediterranean platters with olives, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and roasted peppers.
Relief Society Fruit Market
A variety of fruit was layed out for nibbling. Apple slices, bananas, oranges, and grapes. We also put many types of cheese cubes out to accent the fruit.
Young Women's Charity Bakery
Everyone's favorite table: cookies, brownies, and tasty treats galore.
Most members dressed in Biblical attire and brought a blanket to eat on the floor. For those that were unable to sit on the floor we offered an Inn to sit and partake.
Jacob's well offered some satisfying refreshment.
Our piano was even decorated.
The entire market......We used pop up canopy's and lots of sheets and drapes to decorate each canopy.
My little family ready to journey to Bethlehem.
Gavin in his little outfit.
The boys are listening to prelude music before they are allowed to enter the open market.
Our ward missionaries were great sports and posed as our evenings Roman Soldiers. They had the important task of collecting all taxes brought to Bethlehem.
After a long journey everyone was able to rest their weery feet and eat some delicious grub.
After dinner the adults were able to talk amongst themselves while the children played Games of Galilee: also known as marbles and bean bag toss.
In addition to being fed physically, we were fed spiritually with a program of music, the Nativity play, and being together as a ward family to celebrate the true meaning of the Christmas season. No Santa would be visiting tonight so we could feel the love of God and remember our Savior. It is my hope that my kids will
After the madness of the planning, the executing, and the clean up subsided I was able to sit and soak it all in. I could breathe a little and reflect on how everything turned out. All I could do was smile and feel an overwhelming awe! I was perfectly satisfied with the evenings turnout. It was as wonderful as I had envisioned. At the beginning it almost seemed impossible to pull off such an activity in such a small ward. Now that it's all but a memory, I can smile and know that it was because of everyone coming together and helping in big and small ways that we made this night a night to remember. A night dedicated to our Savior. It would not have been possible without my amazing committee of reliable and talented people along with everyone that donated food and decorations. I love my Savior and this evening was truly about the amazing miracle and gift of our Savior's birth. This will forever be my favorite Christmas to date. I hope your Christmases are filled with love, joy, and laughter as you ponder the meaning of Christ in your life.
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