The Wilson Seventh-day Adventist Church invites residents of the region to immerse themselves this weekend in a journey through Bethlehem. The church will present its 13th-annual Live Christmas Nativity from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at N13902 County Road 551, off U.S. 2 in Wilson.

“This is a free, heartwarming Christmas event, and we would love for you to join us for this memorable Christmas tradition,” Director Dana Zinke said.

Visitors will be greeted in the church foyer, where registration will take place. While waiting for a tour, participants can enjoy a program with live music in the sanctuary and young children can do crafts in the Kids Corner.

“There will also be a fellowship area where people can visit or work on a Nativity puzzle,” Zinke said.

Mary and Joseph seek shelter at the Bethlehem Inn as part of a past live Nativity at the Wilson Seventh-day Adventist Church. This year's event takes place Friday and Saturday. (Contributed photo)

Each tour lasts 45 minutes, with each group consisting of about 12 to 18 people.

“Once your tour begins, you can expect 45 minutes of an unforgettable Bible-time experience,” Zinke said.

Work on the production started in October, with more than 120 individuals involved with the program, she said.

A guide will lead each group through 11 scenes, four of which include live animals.

Visitors will begin their lantern-lit journey with their tour guide and learn about the prophecy and step into the lively streets of Jerusalem as the story unfolds, according to the church.

Two angels at a past live Nativity event at the Wilson Seventh-day Adventist Church. (Contributed photo)

They will then walk to see the angels looking down and eavesdrop on a conversation of the women at the well in the town square.

Stop and pay taxes to Caesar before experiencing the sights and sounds of Bethlehem Marketplace.

Everyone is invited to the blacksmith shop to meet Benjamin and Aaron, enjoy the spices from Arabian Peninsula in the spice and fabric shop, see fine furniture in the carpenter shop and sample freshly baked bread at the farmers market.

“And don’t forget to look for the live animals at Bethlehem stables,” she added.

Visitors will meet up with Mary and Joseph as they search for shelter for the night at the inn and then find the shepherds keeping watch of their flock by night. “And be astonished at a host of heavenly angels as they sing,” Zinke said.

Join the shepherds as they run to find the newborn king and then visit with Mary and Joseph and the Savior at the manger.

Time will then lapse approximately two years to Jerusalem, where the wisemen come for the king who was born of the Jews.

Travel to the court of King Herod and discover his true motive for sending the wiseman on to find Jesus.

You will enter Jesus’ childhood home as the final stop. “They will witness the humility and reverence of the wiseman presenting gifts to the king,” she said. “And most importantly find your place in this amazing life-changing story.”

The evening will conclude with a prayer of blessing and an invitation to join the grand reception in the Wilson Junior Academy’s gymnasium. They will serve hot drinks, soups, fresh bread and cookies.

Zinke encouraged everyone to take time for fellowship with family and friends.

Guests can also enter to win a free framed painting by Michigan artist Nathan Greene print.

“We hope to see you there,” she said. “On behalf of the Wilson Seventh-day Adventist Church, we wish you a very Merry Christmas.”

For more information or questions contact Zinke at 906-399-7208.

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.