Step back into biblical times

and experience the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ beginning

Friday evening on the front lawn of Fayetteville First Baptist Church.

The "Advent Journey"

is a four-night production that involves about 200 members of the church,

directed by Jim Battles, First Baptist's youth minister.

This is the fifth year the

church has embarked on this ancient journey. "It's truly our gift

to our community," Battles said. Travelers experience "a touch

of what it was like in the days of Jesus," he explained, with an

eye toward authenticity.

The journey begins with a challenge

facing a modern day family and the question, "what is Advent all

about?" "This is the time that Christ is coming into the world,"

Battles explained.

Travelers on the journey become

members of the tribes of Israel, and are guided through the period of

Advent leading up to Christmas and the birth of Christ by a costumed prophet,

shepherd, or perhaps a centurion.

The prophecy of Jesus' arrival

on earth is the next stop on the trip, followed by a visit to Mary's house

and the announcement by the angel that she is to become the mother of

Christ. The travelers continue on to her cousin Elizabeth's where the

two women exchange news of the impending births of their children. On

the search for the Christ child, the wayfarers wander through the streets

of a typical Israeli town complete with a market, crafts people and youngsters

playing.

The final destination is the

Nativity scene where Mary, Joseph and the Christ child are flanked by

live sheep and goats. A short candlelight service and singing concludes

the journey.

According to Battles, it is

difficult to be completely authentic. He has done extensive research on

the region and culture of the people at that time in history. The results

come together in the town which boasts a fish market, cloth shop, blacksmith,

basket weaver and a candy shop that offers candied dates and vinegary

treats.

The journey takes about an

hour, including a brief waiting period, Battles estimated, with the first

group leaving at 6:30 p.m. The final group will set out about 8:30 p.m.,

with closing at 9 p.m. In previous years, approximately 2,000 people per

season have embarked on the Advent Journey, he said.

The dates are Friday through

Sunday, Dec. 8-11 from 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Visitors should park in the

church lot on Johnson Avenue, Battles advised, where golf carts will shuttle

them to the pageant site.