JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM—

Gentle snow tumbled silently as shepherds and centurions and three Magi and King Herrod himself, all from biblical times, coursed through the woods of Camp Mowana on a recent weekend and radiated life to the story of the birth of Jesus.

Pastor Paul Lintern as Gabriel

In groups of 15 or so, about 300 visitors paused at the 14 venues in the wooded hills and cabins of this Lutheran Church Camp where portrayals of characters well known in Christian religious history brought life to the childhood lessons from our Catechism.

Rev. Eric Kretzmann, Camp Director who introduced himself to visitors as an “...ordinary camel driver” ....was handling parking chores when we arrived.

Olivia Wade, a home-schooled sophomore captivated her audience with a portrayal of Mary. She was one of some 25 cast members plus another 20 centurions who were selected from the visitors and became cast members themselves.



This young “shepherd” is Paul Francisco, a Crestview 6th grader. Some cast members in the two day production where from First English Lutheran Church which did an indoor version of the presentation from 1993 to 2001.



This is the centurion stop of the venues where the fellow in the brown coveralls and the gold helmet had “volunteered” as an honorary cast member. Other cast members came from Oakland Lutheran Church and Pastor Lintern’s list of “real neat people” who have performed in other popular presentations such as at the Mansfield Cemetery and The Underground Railroad story.

Mary Wright, a teacher in the Buckeye Central school system, gave a captivating performance, sitting in stark silhouette as she told of being an unnamed mother of Bethlehem whose baby had been killed by King Herrod’s orders.

The concluding scene was the Holy Family with a live baby Jesus presenting a summary of the event.

Afterward I had the distinct pleasure of renewing an aged acquaintance with Elizabeth and Zechariah; known by their contemporaries as the Harold Kahl’s of Shelby.

The warmth of that renewed friendship lingered pleasantly as we left and wandered through the night’s crisp chill, pondering the enormous history leading to the birth of Jesus we had just witnessed portrayed in 90 blessed minutes—in the woods of Camp Mowana.

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Ed. Note:  If you see an event around town being produced by Paul Lintern.  Be absolutely sure to attend.  You will be doing yourself a favor.