First produced in 2022, our Heritage Christmas event will invite guests to glimpse into a Christmas past. We will present four historical dramatic sketches in different buildings across our campus, and, over the course of an hour, visitors will progress between these scenes. Each scene features a different set of characters to show how various people faced the circumstances surrounding one particular Christmas Eve.

After This Solid Ground, set in 1871 and performed in 2024, and Rise Up and Follow, set in 1859 and performed in 2025, we are excited to return to Watchman Tell Us of the Night, set on Christmas Eve in 1864. All of the programs in this series have been specially written for us by Liz Beachy Hansen.

In Watchman Tell Us of the Night, each scene features different characters who struggle to make sense of the "Burning of the Valley" that took place only months before, and who grapple with what it means to live as followers of Jesus in a particularly trying time.

The play will be staged December 12th, 13th, 19th and 20st, with showings lasting one hour and starting every 15 minutes from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. The last show will end at 5:30pm. Each showing can accommodate up to ten people at a time, so reservations are required. Please email info@brethrenmennoniteheritage.org or call 540-438-1275 to reserve tickets or for more information. For any reservation, please include a range of available times, the number of people in your group, and contact information in case we need to make changes in the schedule.

Online registration is free, but donations will be taken at the event; our suggested donation is $10 per adult, $5 per student, and children 5 and under free. All proceeds will support the Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center.