You still have time to walk 'The Streets of Bethlehem' this weekend

<b>Some of the cast members from The Streets of Bethlehem.</b> Photos courtesy Brenda Gutierrez — **Some of the cast members from The Streets of Bethlehem.** Photos courtesy Brenda Gutierrez

By SALINA POST

Two local churches are sharing the true meaning of Christmas through an interactive program.

The education building at Trinity Lutheran Church, S. Ninth Street and Crawford Street, has been transformed into a small turn-of-the-first century town for The Streets of Bethlehem, a Christmas pageant in which guests walk through street where they will hear villagers talking about the bright star they saw the night before. According to information from the church, "there will be Roman soldiers, innkeepers, various store keepers, and town people. The various locations will attempt to show what the town of Bethlehem looked like at Jesus' birth."

<b>The pageant includes more than 40 cast members.</b> — **The pageant includes more than 40 cast members.**

Although the pageant began last weekend, you still have time to view it this weekend. The Streets of Bethlehem is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The pageant is open to the public at no charge. Tours start every 10-15 minutes. While those attending await their turn to walk the streets, they can listen to some great music. Refreshments will be available after the tour.

Members of Trinity Lutheran Church are joined by members of Salina's Christ the King Lutheran Church in the pageant. More than 40 cast members and an additional 90 volunteers put their time into sharing a unique perspective of the time of Christ's birth.

"Both churches welcome all to see, hear, and enjoy the experience of Bethlehem while pondering the miraculous birth of our God coming in the flesh," Trinity Lutheran Church noted in a news release.

<b>Townspeople share their stories as guests walk through.</b> — **Townspeople share their stories as guests walk through.**

The Christmas pageant originated with St. Peter Lutheran Church in Holyrood more than 20 years ago, according to information from Trinity Lutheran Church. After some time, the Holyrood church passed the pageant on to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, donating its props and sets to the Hutchinson church. Then, in 2017, Redeemer Lutheran Church asked Trinity Lutheran Church to produce the pageant on alternating years and Trinity members agree. Now members of Christ the King Lutheran Church join in the biennial effort to bring The Streets of Bethlehem to Salina.