ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — A little over 2,000 years ago a child was born in Bethlehem. That’s not particularly newsworthy, children are born all the time.

But, many believe that this was a special birth, the birth of Jesus Christ. That’s what more than 100 members of Bethel Baptist Church in Robertsdale worked to recreate last weekend.

For the sixth year, the church presented a “Walk Through Bethlehem” in a walled city that sprang up behind the church buildings on Highway 90. Visitors had a chance (after passing through a Roman checkpoint) to get a glimpse of what a busy Bethlehem must have been like the night Christ was born.

The tour began with a group of angels alerting shepherds that Christ has been born. One of the shepherds, tour group in tow, goes through “Bethlehem” looking for the child.

There was a merchant with a table crammed with blankets (and everything else) who tried to sell the poor shepherd a blanket to keep him warm on the cold night.

However the shepherd does not have enough coin, and the shopkeeper regretfully but firmly lets the shepherd go on his quest. At every shop, well and of course, inn, the shepherd asks if a baby has been born.

No one has seen the heavily pregnant woman, her spouse or the baby, and the innkeeper turned the woman in labor away, fearing it would upset other patrons. Each townsperson gives the shepherd a clue as to where the family might be.

And then, he finds them.

There is Joseph, standing watch over Mary and the baby. An angel is in the stable, and a singer delivers a song of praise. A star rises over the scene. And three princely Wise Men come bearing gifts for the newborn.

The tour ends with Pastor Mitch Nelson standing before the empty cross and tomb, preaching from John 3:16.

“We want to make sure people know what it’s (Christmas) is all about,” said Nelson.

According to church member Joan Staska, the church has been putting on “Walk Through Bethlehem” for about six years.

“It takes a lot of planning, said Staska. We start right after Thanksgiving.”

Staska says there are about 100 to 135 church members in the cast, not counting those who set up the town, serve refreshments afterward and care for the live animals in the display.

Staska added that the congregation tries to add something new to the dramatization each year.

“I can’t wait to see what we are going to add,” said Staska.

For Kaitlyn Stewart, 15, this was the third year of portraying an angel.

“I’ve been doing this for five years,” said Stewart. “We are doing this so people can get the message about this season.”

For Andrew Neuschwander, 5, of Robertsdale, the “Walk” is just part of the season for him. While getting into his “shepherd boy” costume with some help from his mother, Jamie, he said the idea of the affair is to “Tell other people about Jesus.”