Pilgrimage to Bethlehem in Sedona

To the millions of Christians in the world, Christmas holds a deep spiritual meaning as well, for December 25^th marks the birth of the Christian Messiah, Jesus Christ.

In Sedona, the birth of the savior is marked by a special three-day event titled Pilgrimage to Bethlehem, a free community event held in uptown Sedona at the grounds of the Wayside Chapel Dec. 18, 19 and 20, sponsored by Potter’s Hand Productions, a faith based, non-profit Community Theater Company based in Sedona, Arizona.

Beginning 2:30 p.m. shepherds, Wise Men, dancers, Roman soldiers in full uniform and pilgrims walk up and down uptown streets playing out the story of Christmas and the events leading to the birth of baby Jesus.

Christian belief holds that in ancient Galilee of Nazareth, a Jewish town in the Middle East, a young woman named Mary became pregnant with the child of God. She and her husband Joseph, a carpenter, traveled by donkey to Bethlehem because at that time, Caesar Augustus decreed that a census be taken and every person in the entire Roman world had to go to his own town to register.

Roman soldiers	Wise Man of Gold	Wise Man of Myrr

Joseph, being of the line of David, was required to go to Bethlehem to register with Mary.

In Bethlehem Mary and Joseph could not find a place to stay because all the inns were full due to the census. A kind person let them use a stable where Mary gave birth to the Messiah surrounded by donkeys and other animals. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger, a small troth used to feed animals.

A star in the sky marked the divine birth and an angel appeared to shepherds tending their flock in the night and told them the Savior had been born in the town of David.

The shepherds traveled to Bethlehem and found the Holy Family. Soon they began spreading the word the Messiah had been born.

The news reached King Herod, ruler of Judea and he sent three wise men called The Magi to find the child. Herod told the Magi that he too wanted to go and worship the babe. But secretly Herod was plotting to kill the child.

So the wise men continued to follow the star in search of the new born king and found Jesus with his mother in Bethlehem.  They bowed and worshipped him, offering treasures of gold, incense and myrrh. When they left, they did not return to Herod. They had been warned in a dream of his plot to destroy the child.

In Sedona, the Pilgrimage to Bethlehem participants act out the birth of Jesus while interacting with tourists and locals along the uptown Sedona streets. Roman soldiers demand taxes for Caesar. Wise Men tell their story. Joseph and Mary walk with their donkey surrounded by travelers.  Shepherds tell of what they saw. Everyone is dressed in the garb of the time and in character.

At the Wayside Chapel grounds, a full Bethlehem Marketplace is set up. According to organizer Jane Alden, there are all kinds of wares and vendors offering goods for people to buy with shekels (ancient money) provided for them.

“We give you shekels to spend in the market place,” she said. “The first person you encounter is the tax collector. There are carpenters, an olive press going on, a man sharpening knives, a tanner, a metal smith, an amazing story teller with a violinist; a Nativity scene and a banker. We have so many things going on it is hard to take in all at once.”

Joseph, Mary, & baby Jesus	Shepherd who saw the star in the sky.	Shepherd worships an angel.

She said the “Bethlehem Hill” market event takes place from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and at 5 p.m. there is a performance and concert to enjoy as well. She said a fantastic angel appears and speaks of the birth.

“There are stands for people to sit and I highly recommend you dress really warm because at that time it gets cold fast,” she said. “This production brings everything together.”

Jane is the artistic and executive director of Potter’s Hand productions. She has directed and produced live-theatrical presentations for over 25 years, and has recently dedicated herself to working exclusively in Sedona. 

Story teller weaves a tale.	Shepherd with his sheep	Innkeeper and is wife who provided a stable for Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus.

Potter’s Hand Productions has over 130 experienced actors, singers, dancers, and expert technicians involved with the numerous productions it puts on each year involving many Christian churches. 

“We are dedicated to professional theatre, and to unashamedly giving God the glory and the honor, in our productions,” in our productions.

The last day of the Pilgrimage to Bethlehem event is Sunday, Dec. 28. The event is free and open to everyone. For more information, visit www.pottershandproductions.com or call 928-300-3968.