Going to Bethlehem

Burnet, a sweet little town about 2 hours north of San Antonio, does a fabulous Christmas activity. They turn a section of grass about the size of a city block into Bethlehem. As you walk in you feel as if you stepped back in time. The city is packed with wanderers and locals selling goods, shopping, just sitting in their homes playing games, and then craftsmen going about their business. The scale of the place was remarkable. The bread delicious, the centurians powerful, and the stable reverant. It was a cold day (low 30s or below so not just Texans would think it cold) so everyone but the Bethlehemites were well bundled.

The lepers outside the city


There were Camels!! And donkeys and sheep and all the other animals you'd expect in Bethlehem, but this is Burnet Texas and there were Camels!!!



No Room in the Inn. Though the innkeeper invited us in to warm ourselves by the fire.


The Stable

The stable was set off in an obscure corner of the city. None of the inhabitants of the city were near it. They were all busy with their life and all the visitors. It was really amazing to realize that that's the way it was. There was a star over the stable and I'm sure the shepherds were on their way, but most of Bethlehem didn't notice. This was such a great experience and make the wonderful events of Luke 2 so much more real.