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The Stars Of Bethlehem

Scott Iskowitz/The Tampa Tribune

Marilyn Thompson works on assembling the fabric to the roof of the nativity scene at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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By B.C. MANION, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 8, 2007

LUTZ - By day, they lead diverse lives.

A stay-at-home mom. An insurance salesman. A retired construction manager. A lawyer. Even an opera singer.

But for this weekend and next they will come together to create "Night in Bethlehem," a live Nativity scene at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 7851 Lutz-Lake Fern Road.

The annual celebration got its start three years ago inside the church, with about 250 church members attending.

Last year, it moved outdoors and went public, drawing about 4,000 spectators, said Jennie Johnson, the production's director.

"It was incredible. We were astounded," she said.

It's anybody's guess how many people will come this year, but organizers are preparing for twice the crowd, she said.

The goal is to take people back in time, to help them imagine what life was like in Bethlehem, when Mary and Joseph arrived to find no room at the inn, and their child, Jesus, was born in a stable.

Church volunteers have built a mock town square. Tiki torches, colorful fabrics and wooden structures help set the mood.

When visitors arrive, they are greeted by Roman soldiers bearing torches, who escort them to the gates of Bethlehem.

They will stop by a census table where they will pay their "taxes:" one can of food per family that will be donated to the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank in Land O' Lakes.

They will find a visitor's center, a Hebrew school, a bakery, a gift shop, a potter's wheel, a carpenter's workshop, a tailor shop and a photo booth.

They will have a chance to hear about Bethlehem's history, listen to musical performers, learn to write their name in Hebrew, play with a dreidel, make a bead necklace, sample food, try on period clothing and have their pictures taken.

After leaving Bethlehem, they make two more stops, to see and hear the Nativity story - complete with Scriptural texts, music, animals, wise men, angels, shepherds, Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

Visitors are then invited into the church for a cup of hot chocolate and to view a collection of Nativity sets.

Planning for the event starts in January, and it takes thousands of hours of work to pull off the event, Johnson said.

"From the little old ladies who are home rolling scrolls and tying them or making money bags and filling them, to the people who have spent hours painting sets and sewing costumes and building stars, there are so many behind-the-scenes people," she said.

Dot Murphy, 42, and her daughter, Maddie, 3 1/2 are among the hundreds of volunteers. They helped to paint the shops and houses, and Maddie will be a Bethlehem greeter.

Visitors are in for a treat, Murphy said.

"It's really going to be pretty," she said. "It is bringing out the spirit of Christmas. We just want everyone to enjoy themselves."

Emily Packard, 23, plays the role of Mary for some of the performances, and her husband, Kevin, plays Joseph. On other evenings, Faye and John Knisley fill those roles.

Stepping into Mary's role is daunting, Emily Packard said.

"It's different from anything I've ever done," said the singer, who has performed with Opera Tampa and the St. Petersburg Opera Company.

"It does take a lot of searching within myself," she said. "How would I feel?

"I felt like I could somewhat identify with Mary. She was nervous and scared and young," she said.

Conveying the right tone is essential, Packard said.

"It's not a talent show. Even if I had the greatest voice in the world, it wouldn't mean anything if it didn't have the emotion and couldn't tell that story."

Her husband, playing the role of Joseph, "doesn't speak at all," Packard said. But his gestures portray the intimacy shared by Joseph and Mary.

Being involved in the production is hard work, but the payoff is tremendous, Johnson said.

"There's nothing better than seeing people come together.

"Maybe we don't worship the same way. Maybe we don't worship in the same places. But we worship a God that pulls us together, and we're all brothers and sisters, and it just brings it all back home," she said.

"We just want to celebrate the Savior's birth. It's a neat thing to share with families and people that you cherish."

NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM

WHEN: 6-9 p.m. today and Sunday and Dec. 14, 15 and 16

WHERE: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7851 Lutz-Lake Fern Road

WHAT: The story of the birth of Jesus, as told through a live Nativity scene, with music, scriptural texts, animals, shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus.

HOW MUCH: A donation of one can of food per family is requested, but no one will be turned away.

Reporter B.C Manion can be reached at (813) 865-1507 or bmanion @tampatrib.com.

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