One Night in Bethlehem

Last night we took the twins to Fair Oaks to a local church that had constructed the village of Bethlehem. You started off by signing the census and receiving a denarius. If stopped by a Roman soldier you had to present your denarius. There were fruit sellers, wise men who gave them gold, Nicodemus, a story teller (the story of Daniel) a bread stand, jewelry sellers, a wood shop, a leather shop, a couple of inns (no room), shepherds, perfumers with frankincense and myrrh, the stable with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, a potter and a petting zoo. It was very realistic and we happened to be at the potters when a Roman soldier came demanding taxes. From that point on the twins were scared of the Roman soldiers. There was also a woman begging for alms and the twins promptly gave up their denarius to her. It was a cold night, but well worth the trip.