Leave today’s cares and concerns at the door. Assume the role of a visitor following a guide through the streets of Bethlehem as you hear the wonderful story of the birth of Jesus.

The public is invited to “A Night in Bethlehem” at the Wilton Baptist Church on Fri., Dec. 11 and Sat., Dec.12, from 6 – 9 p.m. Church members are excited about the opportunity of sharing this unique experience with their many friends.

The Christmas story is told as visitors walk through the authentically portrayed streets of the city.

The guided tour through Bethlehem promises a new understanding of the night that changed the world. The journey will proceed from Jerusalem with King Herod and the Wise Men, all the way to Bethlehem.

“Once the visitors leave the marketplace, they will visit the tax collectors, the innkeeper, the shepherds and the angel; and finally the stable where they will find baby Jesus with his parents and some domestic animals,” said coordinator Laurel Burns.

Along the way guests will meet a census taker, Roman soldiers, a market place complete with a bakery and many other shops, including some with pottery, flowers, dyes, baskets and tentmakers.

Visitors mingle with the citizens of Bethlehem and they might create crafts or sample the bread from the first century bakery.

This is the third year of the ambitious project and is expected to have even more elaborate sets and be delivered with even more drama and enthusiasm.

The church is a small Southern Baptist Church with an average of 75-80 attending on Sunday mornings. The cast and crew of “A Night in Bethlehem” are made up of 45-50 of those members.

“Each one of these is vitally important,” said Burns. “Our production encompasses all ages from Baby Jesus–Colton Caldwell, born in Aug. 2009, to the widow trying to pay her taxes who is in her 80s.”

“A Night in Bethlehem” is an interactive family-friendly experience that promises to make this a more spiritual and meaningful holiday for those who attend. There is no charge and the church welcomes all in the true Christmas spirit.

For more information, call 665-1400 or visit Wiltonbaptist.com.

Catherine Legg can be reached at clegg2@bellsouth.net.