December 12 – “Bethlehem Street Market”

Bethlehem Street Market day was finally upon us.  Chris and her team were ready to go.  Before the sun was even up Chris and Lauren were scampering about the facilities, getting last-minute little details taken care of.  Setting out breakfast for the vendors.  Making coffee for both kitchen sites.  Doing a final run-through to make sure there would be an indoor space for all the currently outside vendors.  Readying maps for showing vendors where they would be set up for the day.  And before you knew it, vendors began pulling into the parking lot.  Seaside guys were there to assist them in getting their wares to the right spot.  At one point that particular task became, well, a bit more urgent than usual.  It started to rain.  Not a torrential downpour, mind you, but enough that it was important to hustle those goods inside.  Bins and boxes and Seaside volunteers were flying up the ramp and the stairs.  In the end, all was well, though.  vendors were in place the rain stopped.  We were ready.

 

And then the wind began.  I never checked to see how high those winds were.  All I know is, it was windy.  I was walking up the ramp to the retreat center with Sam at one point.  I remarked that I was worried about losing my hat.  She retorted that she was thinking the same thing … about her hair.  That was some serious wind.  Oh, and cold.  It was getting really cold.  Temperatures plummeted down through the 70’s into the 60’s.  I think they finally settled in somewhere in the high 50’s (although right now it is actually 49 degrees outside).  Did I mention … It was/IS cold?

 

With the weird weather we really weren’t sure how the market would go.  Would people just want to stay inside?  Or would they see this as an opportunity to go Christmas shopping?  You know … “the weather outside is frightful,” and all that?  It was Christmassy weather, and too cold to be outside, so why not go to the market?  Fortunately for us, a lot of people chose the latter.  There was a lot of traffic throughout the day, and I think we gave way all 200 of the gift bags we had prepared.  They were actually those cloth shopping bags you see with some business name emblazoned on the outside.  But these advertised Jesus instead.  I had a good time getting re-acquainted with some of the regular vendors and getting to know some of the new ones.  And all the while I did my best to keep an eye on Chris.  She is still having some issues with chest pains.  We are praying that it is just her heart getting used to the increased blood flow with the latest stent.  And speaking of hearts … Lauren’s husband Ed came by.  He commented that to him, Bethlehem Market Day had a bit more of a somber recollection for him.  He called it Death Day.  It was the anniversary of the day of his severe heart attack.  But, Ed … why not call it Life Day?  After all, you are still alive and kicking.  Just saying …

 

My favorite experience of the whole day?  No, not the record amount of money we raised for missions, although that was pretty special.  Our Bethlehem Café crew, led by Cathy, worked together to make available the fabulous array of soups brought in by Seasiders, and the brisket sandwiches from Koop’s Barbecue here in town.  No, as great as that was, my favorite was Seasider Santa Jim.  He was there in his massive throne loaned to us by the City of Jamaica Beach (Imagine a huge throne … on wheels to make it easier to transport.  Amazing).  He took pictures with the kids who passed through.  He also gave out candy canes and a little kid’s book about the birth of Jesus.  Oh, and those kids he took pictures with?  They included one in particular that became the classic first picture with Santa photo.  The youngster was placed on Jim’s lap.  The bottom lip began to quiver.  Silent tears began to leak from his eyes.  Then the tears became not so silent.  And it was all recorded by good ol’ Mom, snapping picture after picture to commemorate the milestone event.  Older kids crawled right up into his lap.  Some had to be coaxed to at least stand near him.  Then there were the young ladies (In their 20’s or 30’s) who gathered around.  Jim struggled through that one, I’m sure.  But ranking right up there with the pouty baby was the 90-year-old vendor lady.  She, too, managed to have a set on Jim’s knee for a photo op.  Kind of gave new meaning to that Christmas song phrase, “Kids from one to ninety-two.”  In a nutshell, pics were taken, hearts were gladdened.  Way to go, Santa Jim.

 

Thanks to everyone who helped with the market in any way.  We got the bunk rooms reset in record time.  The worship center was ready to go, not just for church this morning, but for the group that comes in at 7 p.m.  We pretty much ran out of soups.  There was a little bit of brisket left over.  We did have some candy canes and sweets remaining.  Guess there will be special treats for church today …

 

Psalms 47:1 says, “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.”

 

Father, please bless the folks who helped and contributed to the market in any way.  Thank you for keeping everyone as warm as possible.  We could use a little more of that warmth this morning as well.  Amen.