How many churches can claim they’ve had a camel stroll up their main aisle, a donkey in their gym, or a flock of sheep in a Sunday school classroom? Toss in a half–dozen or so scarily realistic Roman soldiers, scores of adults and children dressed in New Testament garb, a sprinkling of angels, a 40–member brass band and large chorus, three magnificent wise men, and you get “Come to Bethlehem,” or as it’s fondly known, “C2B.”
This holiday season marks the 12th year the Salvation Army’s Norridge Citadel Corps (church) in near–northwest suburban Chicago has staged this extravaganza. It has been a tremendous community outreach, according to the corps officers (pastors), Majors Stephen and Morag Yoder. Almost the entire congregation, young and old, work together to tell the amazing story of Christ’s birth. In fact, a generation of children has grown up attending or participating in C2B.
Crowds turn out
Usually presented during the second weekend of December in three weekend performances, C2B attracts an average of 1,200 each year. The initial inspiration came from Major Elaine Becker, a Canadian officer who served at Norridge for several years; she remembered outdoor Christmas–story performances in her homeland. One C2B constant has been Peggy Thomas, the Norridge bandmaster, who has provided musical direction for the entire 12–year run.
With real torches lighting the way to the corps’ front entrance, guests enter the lobby, transformed into Jerusalem’s city square, complete with a large, gurgling fountain surrounded by houses and shopfronts accented with palm trees. After filling out “family census forms” to “register per the decree of Caesar Augustus” and receiving a “shekel” to pay their taxes, they’re ready for the journey to Bethlehem.
Costumed guides shepherd small groups of “travelers” down scenic hallways and through a series of rooms where they see short drama presentations. In the first room, prophets emerge from the darkened mists of time to proclaim Old Testament prophecies of Christ’s birth. In the next room, Caesar sits on his opulent throne.
In another room, a dramatic, special–effects
appearance of the angel to the young Mary elicits gasps from travelers. In the next room, carpenter Joseph recalls his God–inspired dream concerning his scandalously pregnant fiancé. Then comes a visit to the shepherds and their flocks, followed by one to the ornate tent of the three magi, who ponder the meaning of the new star in the eastern sky.
Bethlehem scene
Finally, the travelers enter the expansive Bethlehem marketplace (a creatively transformed gym), where they pay their taxes, exchange their “foreign” (U.S.) money for shekels, and wander from booth to booth, where they buy period refreshments, thematic gifts and souvenirs, spices, dreidels, and crafts. In one corner of the marketplace, travelers can get their picture taken with two camels.
Around a bubbling well in the middle of the marketplace, “nomads” play music while women shake tambourines as they dance and sing.
After some time in the marketplace, travelers meet the Bethlehem innkeeper, who proclaims, “There’s no room at my inn!” They follow him down a dark hallway as he leads Joseph and Mary’s donkey into a cave–like stable, where Mary and her child lay resting in the hay under Joseph’s protective eye.
“We’ve always managed to have a baby born in our corps family just in time for C2B,” says John Larsen, director of the pageant for the last three years. “Although I will admit, some have been girls!”
Celebration concert
After visiting the stable, the travelers end up in the corps chapel, where they’re seated and entertained until a gala celebration concert begins. Each year the concert features goosebump–raising music and a powerful testimony of faith and a strong Gospel message that typically draws at least 50 people—sometimes whole families—to the altar. During a musical interlude, names are quickly gathered for follow–up. Mail invitations have resulted in numerous people visiting the corps again; some have even become soldiers (members).
To the strains of the majestic “Kings of kings and Lord of lords,” from Handel’s “Messiah,” the grand finale begins. Children bearing colorful banners stride up the center aisle, followed by Joseph leading the donkey with Mary and her baby riding. Finally, wearing richly ornamented robes and bearing gifts, the three magi enter … followed by their crowd–pleasing camel!
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