Brazil — First Christian Church of Brazil is undertaking the largest drama presentation in their 150-year history for the second consecutive year. The program titled “The Journey” will take the effort of more than 200 cast and crew and will encompass the church’s entire facility, which includes the church building, the Family Life Center and the church grounds.
“We have actors, set construction, traffic control, guides, security and much more. It’s a massive undertaking” said director Jeannie Price, “but we believe it’s worth the effort to bring the true meaning of Christmas to our community and surrounding area.”
“The Brazil and surrounding communities have always been a source of encouragement and strength to First Christian Church,” said senior pastor Bob Witte. “We want the great families that make up this strong community to come and experience the original Christmas story with shepherds, wise men, live animals, food and lots of fun. “
“Everyone who takes ‘The Journey’ will step into the true story of Christmas” Price said. “They will hear the prophecy of the Messiah and see the excitement and anticipation of its fulfillment; and experience the people, places and circumstances that surrounded the birth of Jesus. The best way I can describe it is that it will be a ‘progressive drama.’ The story doesn’t take place on one stage. Instead it is spread our over our entire campus.”
“The Journey” actually begins in the Bethlehem marketplace, where guests will see several different shops and shoppers, speak to some of the shopkeepers, and witness the tax collectors — all as they are guided by a family trying to find these visitors housing for the night.
“Along the way will be Roman soldiers, scribes, shepherds, angels, wise men, the innkeeper, and of course, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.” Price said. “Guides will help explain what they are going to see and experience at each stop and how it all ties together.”
Some changes to the script have been made for the second presentation. One of the new features for 2009 is the addition of more live animals, including camels.
“The Journey” started as a vision for First Christian Church after the staff visited a presentation titled “Journey to Bethlehem” at Harvester Christian Church in St. Louis in 2007. “Although the ‘Journey to Bethlehem’ was excellent, I felt that certain parts of the Christmas story were missing,” Price said. “Also, our buildings and grounds are set up completely different. So we tailored the program to our physical situation and included different scenes, and wrote our own script. The result is ‘The Journey.’”
The journey will take travelers approximately 45 minutes. Since portions of the experience will be outside, the public is encouraged to dress appropriately.
“I know that all those who journey through the real Christmas story will find ultimately the true meaning of Christmas filled with hope, joy and peace that our world desperately needs today,” Witte added.
The program will be presented from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 and 6 at First Christian Church, 1875 W. U.S. 40, across from Long John Silver’s. The event is free.
