Nativity scene in Redwood City

Reading the newspaper last week led me to a nice adventure last night. Tapestry Church in Redwood City has built a model of Bethlehem 2011 years ago and they would be showing it for 3 days ending this past Friday night.

As a Jew, raised Orthodox, I have never been to a nativity scene. Not even a small one. As this seemed like a good time, I chose to go to this nativity scene with my girlfriend. We got there around 7, considering it was open from 6 - 9:30 we thought this to be a good time to get there. We were surprised by the length of the lines of people waiting to get in. The line went about 5 blocks. We were disappointed. We were hungry. We were cold.

After parking, and getting over there, and trying to figure out the logistics of Ann holding the line while I got her heavier coat from the car, and me holding the line while she got some food, we were suddenly distracted by a troupe of Roman soldiers coming our way. At almost the tail end of the line, we stood watching the soldiers as they looked at all of us. Then the captain of this group came over to Ann and decided she would make a good wife for one of his grunts. Naturally I went in to take her back! That was it, we were now being fast-tracked to the front of the line. We actually tried to leave the group at first so we wouldn't lose our spot! Luckily one of the soldiers explained what was happening. This was how we skipped the whole line and got into the nativity scene really quickly.

Once inside, I was surprised to see a menorah lit with 4 candles. We also saw lots of stands (old style wooden shacks) with hebrew signs. מאפייה, פירות וירקות, נגר בניין, קדר, ומיון כיתיכם. They had some 'Jews' each wearing a Tallit, and discussing or possibly teaching Torah. Of course as you moved on, you started to see less Jewish things. There were lots of animals there. All tame (I wonder how they keep them so tame...). Then of course we saw the Nativity Scene! That was a site to see.

There was a row of angels, about 15 or so all standing from end to end over a manger. And of course one lead angel on the top with wings and a very angelic outfit. Inside the manger were the usual participants. The baby would be Jesus, and the rest of them, I'm not really sure. I guess Mary and then perhaps the disciples? That was quite a sight.

I can't see myself attending many more of these, but for a one-time look, it was quite entertaining. Definitely worthwhile seeing.