BY TOM BARKER, THE SOUTHERN | Posted: Monday, December 21, 2009 1:00 am 

COBDEN - Visitors to First Baptist Church in Cobden had a chance to witness the true Christmas story firsth and Sunday evening, as the church's congregation created "A Night in Bethlehem," an authentic walk-through of the ancient city set on the evening of Jesus Christ's birth.

More than 400 people took the tour of the mock-up city, visiting various shops and streets set up inside the church. Organizer Charlotte Hartline said the event, which will also run tonight, is meant to show people the true meaning of Christmas in a memorable experience the whole family can enjoy.

"The whole mission is to get people to understand the true meaning of Christmas, that it isn't really about Santa Claus or the things your parents buy for you," Hartline said. "We're hoping that with the person sitting there talking about it, it really will sink in and, through that experience, it will help them to understand."

More than 120 of the church's members helped create the unique experience, including actors portraying citizens of Bethlehem, shopkeepers and Roman guards. Walking through the "city," visitors learned cultural history of the era, as well as the people's response to the news of Christ's birth.

Church members have worked since September to build the city, Hartline said, and have tried to make the experience as authentic and interactive as possible. People touring the city are given the opportunity to build crafts, sample foods and even pay taxes to Roman guards, with provided coins, of course.

At the end of the tour, the visitors are taken to a manger scene, complete with live animals, baby Jesus and a levitating angel.

Rodney and Amanda Rhodes of Cobden brought their four children on the tour and were truly impressed with what they saw.

"This was probably the best gift we've given our children," said Amanda Rhodes. "They've done an amazing job and it really gives you the true meaning of Christmas."

Rev. Allen Speer, lead pastor at First Baptist Church in Cobden, said the "Night in Bethlehem" will become an annual event for the church.

"We're really ecstatic about it," Speer said. "It's really to give people an opportunity to get a taste of real Christmas, not the hustle and bustle of the mall."

"A Night in Bethlehem" is free to the public and will continue tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. The tours take about 90 min-utes to complete and reservations are available.

thomas.barker@thesouthern.com

http://thesouthern.com/news/local/article_bdee9744-edef-11de-81d3-001cc4c002e0.html