DUNCANSVILLE - HIStory of Christmas at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Duncansville could bring back memories for some participants and enlighten others about how Christmas used to be celebrated.
Guides will escort participants in the walking tour from present-day Bethlehem back in time to the day of Jesus' birth. When the "time machine" malfunctions, however, tours will travel through numerous Christmas Eve scenes.
"My vision was to be able to weave the secular traditions and the biblical story together," said the Rev. Jaime G. Olson, pastor at Evangelical Lutheran.
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(Mirror photo by Gary M. Baranec) The Rev. Jaime G. Olson decorates gingerbread cookies in preparation for HIStory at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Duncansville.
"The Nativity scene will be shown, as well as the Wise Men, a storefront scene from various eras and Victorian displays," said Barb Piper, one of the organizers.
Other parts of the presentation will include Santa Claus visiting with children and a collection of toy trains and villages.
"This presentation will allow our Christmas spirit to be given to everyone who comes and to allow the gospel of Christmas to be shared," Piper said.
"We really just want people to have a good time and learn the gospel as well as see the facilities and share in our vision of the story of Christmas," Olson said.
Tours will last 30 minutes and are handicapped-accessible. Admission is a nonperishable food item or monetary donation for local food banks.
Olson said materials for the scenes was donated, and volunteers will bring the scenes to life.
A German Kriskindlemart, or German Christmas market, will complete the tour.
"The German Christmas market will offer ginger cookies, German-made decorated wooden ornaments and paper stars," said Melody Sorge, director of the Christmas market.
Proceeds from the shop will be given to Family Services and the Brian Morden Foundation. It was created to honor Brian Morden, who died at age 19 from Ewing's Sarcoma. The foundation provides funding for Ewing's Sarcoma and childhood cancer research, support patients, families pediatric oncology staff and provides higher education scholarships.
