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The reconstructed marketplace of Bethlehem greeted visitors.
By ANGELA MILLER-HOOD
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 15, 2001
HUDSON -- Decked out in a simple blue smock dress with a veil, Diane Ganzel played the part of the Bethlehem resident who led visitors to a crowded marketplace, where the buzz was that a messiah was being born.
This was the introduction guests received at the live Nativity program at All Saints Lutheran Church this past weekend.
The reconstructed marketplace of Bethlehem had a potter molding clay, a spice shop where guests could participate in pounding a salt rock and a shop that was weaving yarn pictures. The kids could even help make dreidels -- wooden toys that look like tops -- to take home.
On the way to see the storyteller, a beggar would stop visitors and ask for spare change. The storyteller was played by the church pastor, the Rev. Roger Ganzel. He sat in a chair surrounded by drapes that made a small room.
He would tell listeners how the town was so crowded since Ceasar Augustus had ordered everyone to return to their birth cities to be counted in a census. He also pointed out that during this time a savior would be born.
Crowds of about 10 would then stop at the inn and snack on figs, dates, nuts, olives, cheese and bread called poor-man's loaf, thought to have been like the kind made during biblical times.
The journey to the stable began with a centurion, who acted as a tour guide. The path to the manger was lit with torches and luminarias.
At each stop, a spotlight would shine on actors who would tell part of the story of Jesus' birth.
At the final scene, llamas, goats and chickens surrounded the stable where 4-week-old Aaron Millian portrayed baby Jesus, with Mary and Joseph and stable boys and girls. A choir dressed in white sang carols and chimed bells.
"I haven't ever experienced one like this before," said Helen McGee, whose sister invited her to the event. The church puts on the program every other year. This was its third year. Jean Harberts has coordinated it each year. She said the children's awe-struck faces keep her doing it. She said it's important to help kids connect Christmas with Christ.
"You see so many plastic reindeer and Santas out on lawns, so this ties it all in for them," Harberts said.
Fred and Zerry Altman are members of the church and have seen it in the past.
"It was fantastic," Fred Altman said. "They really did a wonderful job this year."
-- Angela Miller-Hood covers religion news in Pasco County and can be reached by calling (352) 521-5757, ext. 29 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6108, then 29. Her e-mail address is angela@sptimes.com.
All Saints Lutheran Church is at 9525 Hudson Ave., Hudson. For information, call (727) 862-9525. A Christmas Eve service with the children's program is set for 7 p.m. and a candlelight Holy Communion service at 10 p.m.