Bay residents have a unique chance to step back in time and into the shoes of Joseph and Mary, leading up to the birth of their son Jesus, by travelling the Road to Bethlehem this month.

The biblical story will come to life each night from this Sunday, December 13 to Wednesday, December 16 when the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with supporting local churches, stages its interactive tour re-telling the Christmas story.

Road to Bethlehem committee chairperson Andrew West says the 50-minute nativity walk is a re-enactment of the days leading up to the birth of Christ.

Tour groups can wander the seven different stands and experience an authentic, busy marketplace from the era, loyal shepherds, the wise men, angels and Roman soldiers, before encountering baby Jesus in the final scene.

'The aim is to put people into the shoes of Joseph and Mary on the journey from Nazareth to the village of Bethlehem.”

Andrew says the event enables people to realise the real background to Christmas in what is a busy for month for most.

'When people come in, they literally step back in time to Bible times 2000 years ago.

'Most come out in awe of what they've just witnessed – many are very thoughtful in the way they leave and comments they write on the visitors' scroll.

'Many comments are quite deep and personal – for many it makes the Christmas story real.”

More than 200 volunteers 'excited to step out of their comfort zones” help re-tell the Christmas story to about 5000 eventgoers.

And many come back year after year. 'The most common thing we hear is families make it a tradition every Christmas.

'The coolest thing I've seen was a grandfather, between the scenes, filling in the gaps of the storyline to his grandchildren.”

The free event is at Tauranga Adventist School, Moffat Rd, on December 13-16. Walking tours begin every eight minutes from 6.30pm-9.30pm. To avoid queuing, people can book tours online at www.roadtobethlehem.org.nz