VIEWPOINT: A Bit of Bethlehem in Front Royal at Skyline Baptist Church

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” – (Luke 2:11)

This past Friday evening in the heart of Front Royal, the folks at Skyline Baptist Church brought to life the scenes and senses of our Savior’s birth in the village of Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, Kings, and all sorts of common folk from all walks of life were on display during a short but magical portrayal of those first days.

From a depiction of the manger scene to live donkeys and sheep, it was easy to be visually transported back in time to the single most consequential event ever to bless this world… an event that towers above and flies in the face of the tragedies and challenges currently occurring throughout the world, especially the Mideast.

The donkeys were real, and the sheep were equally alive and covered with wool as the cold winds of winter were starting to make themselves felt.

The Skyline Baptist Church Nativity is an event (and a gift) that it has offered our community for several years. It is a “must-see” experience for parents and children alike… if you missed it this year, be sure to put it on your “must-see” bucket list for next Christmas season. Your family and those who join you will be blessed.

The church’s pastor, Randy Desantis, and his wife Lois, along with many very dedicated parishioners, made sure everyone was welcome. They were intent on making sure that everyone had the opportunity to get out of the cold for a few minutes to enjoy the numerous plates of cookies and liquid refreshments (and, to my taste, the hot coffee).  Everyone went home with a smile on their faces and food in their bellies.

Nobody goes hungry at Skyline Baptist Church.

One of the many blessings and joys of living in a small community like Warren County is our having numerous Christian churches that generously reach out to the neighborhoods each year with programs such as food distribution, homeless shelters, etc., and especially programs and events such as the live Nativity scene we witnessed last Friday evening.  These programs show the churches’ obedience to Christ’s commands so “(we) might have (a rewarding life here on earth) and … have it more abundantly” and extend Christ’s invitation for eternal life to those who embrace this message of that fateful night over 2,000 years ago when our savior was born.

We congratulate the pastor and the congregation of Skyline Baptist Church (the church with the large cross on the front at 1200 John Marshall Highway, heading east out of town) for offering this wonderful “real life” experience to our community each year.  You can join them for their Christmas Eve service on Sunday, December 24 at 5:00 PM… For more details, call 540-635-4212.

2 Corinthians 9:15: “Thank God for his gift that words can’t describe!”

Dale Carpenter
Shenandoah Christian Alliance