'Walk to Bethlehem' Sunday Through Downtown Basking Ridge

For those who have been in Basking Ridge during the holiday season during the past two decades, no doubt they have seen, or at least heard of, the “Walk to Bethlehem" that brings the Christmas pageant to downtown Basking Ridge.

The an annual tradition started 2 years ago when members of the four churches in downtown Basking Ridge came up with the half-parade, half-pageant telling the story of Jesus’ birth.

Begins at 4 p.m. Sunday

Members from all congregations and the community are invited to “walk” from one church to another in a living illustration of the Christmas story, beginning at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

The festival starts at the top of the hill at St. James Roman Catholic Church, 184 S. Finley Ave., and then travels north to St. Mark’s Episcopal, Bishop Janes Methodist and ends at the Presbyterian Church of Basking Ridge.

Inside each church, carols are sung, a gospel reading is read and music is performed. Parishioners, dressed as the biblical characters, lead the way. Mary and Joseph and a donkey lead the entire crowd and are greeted by angels, shepherds and kings along the way.

For many, the "Walk to Bethlehem" is a wonderful way to begin the Christmas season.