"Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened…..” (Luke 2:15 NIV) the name Bethlehem brought to mind a sleepy, little village in Judah in Biblical times and only after the birth of Jesus Christ did Bethlehem receive acclaim. As most religions think of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, especially at Christmas time, folks in western North Carolina think of Bethlehem, North Carolina.
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Alexander County, the community of Bethlehem is featured in newspapers and on regional TV stations as a special place to celebrate Christmas. Whether one goes to the local postal station to personally stamp your Christmas cards with the postmark “Bethlehem, NC” or attends the annual lighting of the Bethlehem Christmas Star, located in the heart of the community, people come from near and far to this special place at this special time of year.
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The lighting of the Bethlehem Star began in 1977. This tradition has grown bigger and better with each passing year. In addition to lighting the star which burns throughout the holiday season, folks are treated to bon fires, hot chocolate and homemade cookies, singing of Christmas carols and the reenactment of the original Christmas story. This event is supported and produced by the Bethlehem Community Development Association and includes participants from all of the many churches in the Bethlehem community. The lighting is held the first Saturday night in December at 6:30 pm, on the lawn of Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church located on NC Highway 127 at the 2nd stoplight in Bethlehem. Admission is free.
In its 5th year of production, the Crossroads Community Theatre will open the Christmas season with a dinner theatre presentation on November 28th and 29th at 6:00 pm, and a 3:00 pm matinee on November 30th at Fellowship Advent Christian Church in Bethlehem. This year’s production is “A Cricket County Christmas”. The production explores the real meaning of Christmas as the wealthy Tippenhimer family visits their backward country relatives in Cricket County for the holidays. A clash of cultures ensues, but a meaningful message about Christmas is the result. Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged by calling 828-495-8462 or 828-495-8086. The church is located at the crossroads of Fellowship Church Road and Icard Ridge Road.
The highlight of the Christmas celebration in Bethlehem is the Christmas in Bethlehem Drive-Thru held the second weekend in December from 6:30 pm until 9:00 pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. This production is staged beside Fellowship Advent Christian Church in Bethlehem, located at the intersection of Fellowship Church Road and Icard Ridge Road, approximately one mile west of NC Highway 127 north of Hickory. The production is the work of the entire community and includes participation of members from many of the community’s churches. Featured are over thirty live scenes and over one hundred characters in a reenactment of the town of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth including Biblical events leading up to and following the birth of Jesus.
Bethlehem featured in USA Weekend - Click to view
Observers drive-thru the streets of old Bethlehem while listening to the story on CDs provided by the cast. Those folks wishing to participate are provided costumes and allowed to walk through the streets and interact with the characters.Refreshments are served to all in the church’s fellowship hall. Admission, refreshments and costumes are provided free of charge. Thousands of people make the Drive-Thru part of their families’ traditional Christmas celebration each year. Folks from Charlotte to Asheville have participated in Christmases past.
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