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How would you like to see what Bethlehem looked like, complete with a live Nativity scene? Keeping Christ in Christmas, Resurrection Catholic Church in Riverview is hosting its third annual "Bethlehem in Riverview" December 14 and 15 and is inviting residents to take a step back in time.
Yoemy Waller is in charge of this year's event and says there will also be a Christmas bazaar and "Lights Spectacular" that includes 450,000 bulbs and a driving tour.
Waller adds that this year a new feature has been added to make the event more interactive. "Each person attending will receive a Bethlehem Passport and be able to visit all the booths to get stamps and compete for prizes," he explains.
“ Another new element to the celebration is bilingual Christmas Caroling,” says Waller. "It brings Bethlehem here so that we can understand that Jesus is the real reason for Christmas."
Each evening visitors will enjoy a Christmas play "The Story Fantastic," written by Monsignor Antonio Diez, pastor of the church.
Tom Gaitens has played Jesus for the last two years and says, "Aside from my marriage and the birth of my three children, playing Jesus has been the most enjoyable thing I've ever done."It is humbling to play such an important role."
The event will be set up like an open market storefront says Gaitens who continues, "The characters will be dressed in ancient Israel clothing and mingling with the crowd."
“This event is important for the community because Christmas is no longer Christmas, it is consumerism to the nth degree and we have diverted our attention from the real meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus," says Gaitens.
Riverview resident Cindy Grundish says she enjoys going every year because "It just keeps getting better and better, and it is a reminder of what Christmas is really about." Grundish encourages anyone with children to visit the event and "Enjoy the hot chocolate, Christmas carolers and let your kids experience the real Christmas, not what goes on at the mall."
The event will take place Friday and Saturday nights from 6-10 p.m. For more information, call the church at 677-2175 or visit its Website at www.resurrectioncatholicchurch.com.
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