GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — With only a few days left until Christmas, there's many of us doing last-minute shopping, gift-wrapping and cooking. But there's one North Texas church that's going all out to help people remember the true meaning of the holiday.
You might've scene plenty of Nativity scenes set up in yards and homes this time of year. The pastor of Crossroads Christian Church in Grand Prairie decided to take it a few steps further and have people walk the streets of ancient Bethlehem.
Pastor Brian Fisher said, "We're going to have a tour, a guided tour to go through the entire town, just kind of like maybe Mary and Joseph would have experienced, the tax collectors, the census, the Roman soldiers, and then get to the end, and where we share the greatest gift of all time: Jesus Christ."
Building this production hasn't been easy. There's 110 tons of decomposed granite, palm and palmetto trees, as well numerous buildings, animals and actors. Overseeing it all is Hollywood production designer Nathan Myers.
"(Myers) loved the vision, he loved the idea," said Pastor Fisher. "And he said, 'Man, let's do it. Let's make this an amazing event for the community. And let's bring back Christmas."
The live Nativity and the recreated town of Bethlehem at Crossroads Church will run from Wednesday to Friday (Dec. 21-23). Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and walkthroughs will be from 6-8 p.m.
The church says if this massive effort bring just a little joy, hope, and belief to who need it, then it was all worth it.
"Our communities and our world went through a challenging time in the last two years. And they're looking for hope," said Pastor Fisher. "And our viewpoint, the greatest hope of all is Jesus Christ.