Christmas Journey

December 9-11 starts at 6pm

Gates close around 9:30 based on traffic flow

To watch the LIVE web cam at one of the scenes click here

Imagine driving down the streets of Bethlehem in the days surrounding Christ’s birth. Look out your window and see baby Jesus lying in a manger. Witness gothic Roman soldiers in their chariots and see the wise men traveling the country alongside their camels. With the slightest turn of the steering wheel, drive past Calvary where Jesus is nailed to the cross.

This may sound like a day-long bus tour through the Holy Land, but for three days in December, McKinney’s First Baptist Church on Louisiana Street will capture the sights and sounds taken from the Bible allowing you to experience the true “Christmas Journey.”

“Christmas Journey” is a fully dramatized production utilizing professional sets for a 16-scene living pageant. The entire drama can be seen from your car. Volunteers will provide each car with a CD narrating each scene. As you travel through the biblical scenes, you will have a multi-sensory experience of the biblical accounts of Jesus Christ’s life. Participants will find themselves driving through a biblical street market or into the field where the shepherds heard the good news. With Live animals and kid-friendly scenes, this event is geared toward the entire family.

The “Christmas Journey” mission is to serve as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Drawn out of the need to see past all of the commercialization of Christmas, First McKinney wanted to express the message that Jesus is the reason for the season. It is because of His birth in the manger, 2,000 years ago, that we celebrate the Christmas season each year.

“Christmas Journey” is a performance of a story from beginning to end. The congregation of First Baptist McKinney provides more than 600 volunteers for the vision to become a reality. More than 7,000 man-hours are spent on this massive project which began in June. The hours given by the congregation make the viewer feel that they are driving back through time and experiencing life in biblical times. Combine that with the unique layout of the church grounds and the story comes alive.

It is anticipated 10,000+ spectators will witness the production. “This will really appeal to all ages. We have tried to make it easy for them to take part since they won’t even have to get out of their car,” Myron Wilson, Worship and Arts Minister said. “Many people already set out during the holidays to find Christmas lights and decorations, and we are hoping they can easily find our version of Christmas.”

To register for the cast, click here.