Bethlehem Revisited

12/31/2025

Shalom!
Praying everyone has a happy and healthy New Year’s celebration! We will begin disassembling Bethlehem this Saturday from 8:30 AM to 2 PM and need all hands-on deck if possible! If you are in town, please come. We will be announcing the dates for Bethlehem 2026! See you there.❤️

12/17/2025

As always, our last night of Bethlehem was bittersweet! Beautiful weather and every cast and crew member was happy to be able to participate on our last night, yet sad to see it come to a close again until next year!
And we were so busy!
By 7:15 the school parking lots were full and by 8 the line was stretching down Sample Road. There was a joyful anticipation in the air, and almost a sigh of contentment as they entered the gates and were wrapped in the love and warmth that permeates that holy place. Wandering from shop to shop, gazing at the beautiful animals, (including yet another tiny lamb born just this morning!), and seeing even the youngest children smiling and saying, “shalom!” It couldn’t help but bring a smile.
Many were touched by the blessings they received on their hand or wrist with precious oil. They commented on how much they learned about first century life, and the authenticity that draws you in. And, as each one entered the stable, and looked upon that sweet baby, tears flowed. Hearts were touched. From young to old, every soul recognized that Jesus is the most precious gift of Christmas!
2,204 was our final count tonight, bringing our Bethlehem 2025 total to 9,548!
Each heart, both the visitors and our own cast and crew, was filled to the brim with love. With joy. With hope, and peace.
May each of you be blessed as you have been a blessing to us! Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
And we hope to see you again next year in Bethlehem Revisited 2026!
We know that as we dedicated this year to our dear friend Carol Clark, that she was smiling down on us from heaven!

12/16/2025

Tonight is the last night to come out and see Bethlehem. You will not want to miss this event it is truly an unforgettable experience!! We are open from 7pm to 9pm. Let us know if you are coming!!!

12/16/2025

Our fourth night of Bethlehem was crisp and cool, with a nice breeze. It had rained off and on all day, but cleared just in time! Crowds gathered, waiting to enter the census room, and the village beyond the gate. You could hear the sounds of the Blacksmith, the whinny of a horse and the call of a shop owner: FRESH MARKET! White eggs! Brown eggs!
The tent maker took advantage of the census time, with crowds of people entering and knowing the inn was full—they offered everything a traveler could need for only a few shekels! The yentas welcomes visitors with advice of which shop to visit first, and the basket shop had containers for any goods purchased during their time in Bethlehem. So many shekels can change hands!
This year, once again, a tiny new lamb was born right here in Bethlehem this very afternoon. She stood near her mama in the pen right next to our precious holy family, and visitors who came to see the baby were so happy to be able to see her as well.
How is it possible that tomorrow night is our last night?
Already we are hugging and saying goodbye to some that will not be volunteering tomorrow night. Already we see the end in sight and though we are tired, we want to hold onto the immeasurable love that permeates this place.
1,481 people visited Bethlehem tonight. They sang carols, drank hot chocolate and waited patiently in line. Our volunteers outdid themselves once again, and our little oasis of Christmas flourished in the middle of Coral Springs.! ! If you don’t want to miss it, come tomorrow! It is worth it. And you will never regret coming to see the Christ child!!

This years Bethlehem is dedicated to the memory of Carol Clark, a dear friend who loved Bethlehem as much as we do and served joyfully for many years.

12/15/2025

Our third night of Bethlehem was busy! The line stretched up past the sanctuary and down sample road, and our new Pastor, Ginger Medley, was amazed at how happy and patient everyone was! But because we take 50-75 people in at a time, it really moves quickly! And we have a top notch team of line greeters handing out candy canes, stickers and a lot of Christmas cheer!
The hot chocolate was selling fast as well as the many other items at our concessions stand, and our talented bell choir played beautifully in the plaza, entertaining guests as they waited.
We had a sweet woman with her daughter who came with their puppy. This happens occasionally and unfortunately no dogs can come inside where the 20 some animals are in the city. Fortunately, we have dog valets who can watch them until families finish their journey. Just like our handy stroller valets, guests can go enjoy the presentation without the additional stress of pushing a stroller through the grass, or the stress on our animals seeing a strange dog.
This woman wandered into the exit and we immediately greeted her, showed her the way to the beginning, and took care of her pup until they had seen every part of the village. When they came out of the nativity, she thanked us with tear filled eyes and said that she had never seen anything like it.
A small boy riding the bus back to our off site parking could not stop talking about how he got to see baby Jesus and he was a REAL BABY!! He kept saying, “Mommy, you didn’t tell me that he was a real baby!”
Tonight we hosted 2,565 wonderful visitors! They came ready to see a play. They left with the truth and joy of the first Christmas in their hearts!
We dedicate this Bethlehem 2025 to the memory of our beloved Carol Clark, who was an integral part of our ministry for many years. ❤️

12/14/2025

Our second night of Bethlehem was cloudy and forecasting rain, so that, along with the boat parade made us worry that people wouldn’t come out to see us. But even before we opened the gates the line was forming and people were eagerly waiting for the battalion of soldiers to march through, yelling “Make way for Rome!!”
Then, suddenly they were in and reveling in the first century! Soldiers growling at people to STEP ASIDE and small children trying to steal a loaf of bread for their family.
Beth Lechem in Hebrew means “House of bread”. So in Bethlehem our bakery is a focal point. Visitors love to come sample fresh, warm bread from the oven!
As the visitors pass by and head into the inn and from there to the manger, I can’t help but smile, knowing the Spirit permeating that sacred space will amaze them even more than our market place. God is in the house and people are meeting Him face to face this night!
1,907 hearts were touched tonight in Bethlehem! May God bless them all, as well as the volunteers who came together to show the love of the Christ Child!
Bethlehem 2025 is dedicated to the memory of Carol Clark. A true purveyor of God’s love and mercy at Christmas time and always.

12/13/2025

Our first night of Bethlehem was wonderful! A cool breeze and perfect temperature! As the cast gathered at the well to pray before we opened, we remembered a dear friend who has been meant so much to Bethlehem over these years. Her name was Carol and we lost her to cancer last Monday. Bethlehem 2025 is dedicated to this wonderful friend who we knew was watching over us.
As the visitors poured in, you could see the joy on their faces! Some seeing this amazing village for the very first time and some so happy to be back, enjoying their family pilgrimage.
The wise men pointed the way, showing the star and inviting everyone to follow it. The shepherds told about the baby they saw in the manger, because angels had appeared to give them the good news!
The Soldiers seemed quiet tonight, grumpy and unsociable. Signing the census was mandatory, and once the Rabbi had shared the prophecy, it was time to enter the marketplace.
The sights! The sounds! Celebrations of dancing in the street while the blacksmith’s hammer rang out and the shop owners were shouting for everyone to come see their wares.
And as they made their way through the town, into the inn, and to the stables, they finally saw the most wonderful gift of all. That precious little baby Jesus. One little girl ran to the manger as soon as the gates from the inn opened, crying “Mommy look at baby Jesus! He’s real! He’s real!”

That’s what Bethlehem gives us. The truth of Christmas. Past the tinsel and plastic lights, we come here to find the best reason for celebrating! Jesus is born!
1,391 people came to see us tonight! And we were blessed to welcome every one of them. We can’t wait until tomorrow to share again this story, this hope and this love. God is good!

12/11/2025

Tomorrow is the day!! Tomorrow is the start of Bethlehem Revisited!!  Come and experience the first Christmas, come and roam the streets and experience the sights and smells of Bethlehem.  Remember, this is a nonticketed event so there will no cost to the visitor.  Come early to skip the lines, there will be refreshments for sell in the plaza.  Please reach out if you have any questions.

Here are the dates and times below:

Friday - 12/12 - 7pm to 9pm

Saturday - 12/13 - 6pm to 9pm

Sunday - 12/14 - 6pm to 9pm 

Monday - 12/15 - 7pm to 9pm 

Tuesday - 12/16 - 7pm to 9pm

12/05/2025

THE GATES WILL OPEN IN ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! Can you believe that Bethlehem Revisted will start next Friday?! Please come share the joy of the first Christmas right here in Coral Springs. We look forward to seeing you!

Here are the dates and times below:

Friday - 12/12 - 7pm to 9pm

Saturday - 12/13 - 6pm to 9pm

Sunday - 12/14 - 6pm to 9pm

Monday - 12/15 - 7pm to 9pm

Tuesday - 12/16 - 7pm to 9pm

NOTE:

We are in desperate need of help with our last build day for Bethlehem tomorrow. We will be there from 8:30am to 2pm, Saturday 12/06 at the back of First Church. We will have refreshments, snacks, and lunch. If you are in high school and are in need of service hours, we will be giving those for the amount of time that you will be working, but just remember to bring your service hour forms. We will need all skill levels and ages there, so if you are free tomorrow we need you. COME OUT AND JOIN US!!

12/04/2025

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRr_4S3jr8Q/?igsh=aGFqbHEyeDFzdm5r

12/03/2025

🚨🚨🚨🚨

All Hands On Deck! Bethlehem Revisited
Because of a series of health issues, we have lost key construction leaders for this year🙏
We're behind in prepping the set for Bethlehem 2025.
PLEASE come and help this coming Saturday Dec. 6 between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

12/01/2025

ATTENTION COSTUME ROLED VOLUNTEERS OF BETHLEHEM: If you have not attended a training session for Bethlehem; we will be having one more training tomorrow on Tuesday 12/2 at 7PM and it will be held in the sanctuary of First Church.

Also,we will be having one more final work day this next Saturday to put the final touches on our town of Bethlehem. Again, we will be there this upcoming Saturday from 8:30 am to 2pm, come when ever and stay as long as you can. For the kids who are in need of some service hours, we will be giving them for their time there; also, they will be getting them for the nights of Bethlehem that they volunteer. We will need all skill levels and ages there to help. We will have refreshments and lunch available. Can't wait to see you there!