Ranger – The line was long upon entering the Cherokee County Mountain Folk Center on Dec. 9, when each person in the line was being told to pay their taxes. The setting was the Town of Bethlehem many years ago.
On the damp and chilly evening folks came from different locations with their family and friends to experience the true meaning of the Christmas season and even if for the moment, imagine what it must have been like to see the baby who would change the world.
Baby Jesus was played by 5-week-old Casey Hensley, who lay in the arms of his parents, Kailey and Colby, while wise men and angels gathered around. The magnitude of the moment was felt among those in attendance.
The free event was created five years ago by pastor Preston Mashburn of Household of Faith Baptist Church with the intent to bring the true meaning of Christmas to life.
“I am very humbled by how God has worked over the last few years in the event. There have been people touched in many different ways,” he said.
“There have been four people we know of in the last two years who gave their life to Christ. People have told me this has renewed their faith, and everyone that I have met has thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Upon entering, the busy-ness of people was evident, as folks were moving about in different directions. Some were stopping by the 32 different vendor booths that were offering everything from small crosses, Bibles and Christian books and pamphlets to food, including hamburgers, hot dogs, cakes, candy, popcorn, peanuts as well as hot and cold beverages.
Everything was free, and each person was presented at the front door with a bag to carry their goodies in. Other sights included a petting zoo – with a donkey, sheep, calf, chicken and goats – as well as a live Nativity scene that drew many closer to hear the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Misty Graves was a visitor to the event. When asked why she came out in the chilliness of the evening, she said, “Because I’m lucky to be alive.”
The event has grown each year. Last year, about 900 people were on the sign-in register. This year, the event had 1,060 folks coming through the entrance into Bethlehem.
Everyone appeared friendly and happy to be right where they were at the moment. Children were wide-eyed and excited to see the animals, and vendors were more than happy to be giving out samples, trinkets and other items.
Jared Pope came out to Bethlehem with his wife, Rebecca, and their baby girl, Autumn.
“It expresses the true meaning of Christmas,” he said. “It’s good to see all of the churches out, and the true meaning of the season is clear and abundant here.”
Mashburn said every person who played a part in the Town of Bethlehem were important.
“I would like to give a big thank you to every worker that took time out of their day on Dec. 9, and all of those who have attended the planning meetings to help pull this together,” he said. “I would also like to thank the commissioners of Cherokee County for allowing us to use the facility. We could not have done it without all of these people.”
Planning for the annual event starts in October and takes many hours to bring the event to life.