'A gift to the community:' Return to Bethlehem returns to North Augusta

Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle
Updated ·2 min read
FILE - Grace United Methodist Church volunteers portray Jesus, Mary, Joseph and angels during "Return to Bethlehem" in North Augusta, SC. The event returns Dec. 6-9.
FILE - Grace United Methodist Church volunteers portray Jesus, Mary, Joseph and angels during "Return to Bethlehem" in North Augusta, SC. The event returns Dec. 6-9.

There are all kinds of nativities on display around the Augusta area, but few are as big as Grace United Methodist's.

"Return to Bethlehem" is back outside the North Augusta church Wednesday through Saturday, providing an immersive telling of the story of Jesus Christ's birth.

Guests are divided into groups that are guided through the story by a volunteer. After seeing an angel deliver the news that Mary would become pregnant, they are brought to a grand gate lit by torches. On the other side is a fully-decked out Biblical-era village complete with musicians, merchants, and families "living" in Bethlehem. It's capped off with a huge nativity featuring a bright Christmas star shining in the sky.

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There are also multiple animals milling around including camels, donkeys and sheep.

A lot goes into putting this together with more than 200 volunteers acting, building the sets, ushering guests and more. They have been working every weekend since Nov. 18. Rob McClintock was among the volunteers fixing up the nativity this past weekend and is playing one of the wise men.

Grace United Methodist Church volunteers work together on Nov. 30, 2023 to fix-up a piece of the nativity featured in "Return to Bethlehem" in North Augusta, SC.
Grace United Methodist Church volunteers work together on Nov. 30, 2023 to fix-up a piece of the nativity featured in "Return to Bethlehem" in North Augusta, SC.

"It's a lot of work, which is why we do it every other year," he said with a laugh. "But we are totally committed to this."

Former North Augusta Mayor Lark Jones is among those that have volunteered since the beginning, and will be reprising his role as King Herod.

"It's a gift to the community," Jones said. "At least half of the people come each time we do it because it's sort of part of their Christmas tradition."

Admission is free. Donations are accepted, but the event's director Christi McClintock echoed Jones' thoughts, explaining that this is their way of giving back this holiday.

The church is located at 639 Georgia Ave. Drive-thru tours for disabled individuals are available 6-6:30 p.m. and guided tours are 6:30-8:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Return to Bethlehem in North Augusta at Grace United church Dec. 6-9