Community Corner
'Night In Bethlehem' Brings Historical Experience and Holiday Joy to Whiting
The Church of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton-Whiting brings Bethlehem to New Jersey in an extravagant reenactment
The Church of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Whiting will transform its parish center into the village of Bethlehem again this year.
This weekend's “Night in Bethlehem” is meant to share the true meaning and story of Christmas while providing a live, historical reenactment of life in Bethlehem.
Melissa Street, a 6th grade religious education teacher at the church, said that the event received over 1,000 visitors from across the tri-state area last year.
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“This year again we’ll have live animals, a scribe shop where you can learn how to write your name in Hebrew, a choir of angels, a bakery, a wood shop, authentic food, and many other hands-on shops for our visitors to try out," Street said. "My husband, infant daughter, and I were the Holy Family last year and we’ll be taking the role again, as well as another family from the church. I can't tell you how many people cried because they saw a real baby.”
Street also said most of their religious education students participated, as well as their families.
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For a $1 admission fee, visitors can experience the display for themselves from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at the church, 30 Schoolhouse Road in Whiting.
For those who may spend Christmas alone or don’t have family nearby, “A Night in Bethlehem” serves as a place to share and rejoice with others, whether they are friends or strangers, Catholic or Baptist, said Debbie Milecki, coordinator for religious education at the church and head organizer of the event.
“We started this last year because I had went to another 'Night in Bethlehem' display and really felt the atmosphere of Christmas all around by walking through, back in time, and it made me feel good inside, it was like my face was coming alive," she said. "We did it again this year because so many people were talking about it. It makes people feel good about Christmas.”
The event is unique because it brings the historical authenticity of Bethlehem 2000 years ago to life, from the biblical attire to the ability to haggle merchants in the recreated village. Milecki noted that everyone participating is dressed in full character, and acts it too. The boys who dress as soldiers walk around collecting taxes from the visitors.
“It’s a fun experience. We have crafts for the kids and everyone can get involved,” Milecki said.
More information about the church and its program is available by calling St. Elizabeth Ann Seton at 732-350-7391 or by visiting the church website.