You Can Journey to Bethlehem
This Christmas Season
Without Traveling All the Way to the Middle East
By: Staff
The Ashland Beacon
The BlackHorse Farm in Rush, KY (Boyd County) is well-known in our area as an authentic working horse farm owned by Jessica Lucas-Adkins and her family. The business, now in its ninth year, hosts an array of events; from weddings and receptions to birthday parties, princess parties and free community Easter egg hunts. This year, from Dec. 19 through Dec. 21, they are bringing back their immersive “Bethlehem Experience,” which is a FREE community event that depicts the city of David on the night Jesus was born.
To understand the story behind the Bethlehem Experience, we have to start from the beginning of the story. As a young girl and a native to Rush Kentucky, Adkins rode the school bus by the property she now calls her own. She says she used to whisper to herself- who would ever want to live out here?!
Fast forward to marriage and one child later, Rush became the location she longed to raise her children. She wanted to recreate the family farm style upbringing she had when she was a young girl living by her grandparents, Charles and Dixie Vanover, growing up. The farm she’s at now wasn’t for sale, but Jessica had a friend who referred her to the owners, and she was able to purchase it. Adkins shared that she believes that it really was divine intervention.
She and her husband had black Walker horses, so she thought of the name, “The BlackHorse Farm.” Adkins then began researching the property and found that her friend and fellow Rush expert genealogist, Teresa Klaiber, had a grand story to tell. “Teresa told me that I wasn’t going to believe the story she had, and she was correct… I sure didn’t. Our farm has a black horse history and we didn’t even know it.” Adkins explained.
During the Civil war era, two family members of the Jarvis/Sexton bunch who lived at the Adkins’ property had a dispute as one party used a black horse as collateral that didn’t belong to the party. It all took place on the corner of our lot as it stands now. “Resolution eventually occurred but the story still gives me chill bumps and solidifies the plan that God has for this place,” admitted Adkins.
Before having her two children, Luca, 11 and Lane (Buddy) 10, Adkins visited a church program that changed her life. Similar to the Bethlehem Experience, the church program altered her way of thinking of Christ’s birth. Adkins explained, “It was really the first time I truly let it sink in that Jesus was fully-God, yes, but also fully-human. He was the world’s blessing, but He was also Mary’s tiny blessing. I imagine her counting His fingers and toes and studying everything about her new, precious baby; just like moms do- just like I did with my little children. It really impacted my faith, and I wanted other people to experience that stirring feeling, just as I did.”
Once the Adkins had their farm, she felt she had the calling to offer the most genuine experience she could. Jesus was born in a manger; surrounded by animals, muck, stench, a carpenter, and hay. It occurred to Adkins, “I have all those things at my farm. It was meant to be!”
“Of all the businesses I’ve owned and been a part of, clicking the button to publicize our first Bethlehem Experience was probably the scariest and most exhilarating thing I’ve ever done,” noted Adkins, who understood how hefty this recreation could be. So naturally she didn’t want to slack on any part of the experience because it was for the cause of Christ. Adkins stated, “I’ve been accused of going over the top on a lot of events I organize, but this one, I had to do even more. I didn’t want anything to distract a guest from absorbing themselves into the story.”
The chance to lead someone to Christ by experiencing the TRUE story of His birth is the goal of this cherished Christmas event. The Adkins family truly believes that this experience is the sole reason they own their farm. Adkins shared, “It’s such a humbling feeling that God is using them to build His kingdom. Our little girl is the Nativity angel, our boy is the shepherd with his own, real baby lamb. My sweet little mommy, Debbie Lucas, has already begun the Bethlehem Washing Station. Which is where she washes and presses all the costumes that our 50+ volunteers wear. It’s a job, but we all really look forward to it and take every detail seriously.”
Adkins went on to add, “My dad will be practicing his veteran drumming skills to be a Bethlehem street performer.” Many of the Adkins’ church friends from House of Grace and local community members will be involved in the experience.
So, what can guest expect to experience while attending the Bethlehem Experience at BlackHorse Farm? Guests will be led down the Roman soldier walkway to be counted in the census and pay their taxes (three cans of food). You’ll see the farm’s Tennessee Walker horses and the beautiful barn. The event is free, but they are collecting canned food donations for local food pantries. “We offer this event bi-annually and at the last count, we’ve been able to donate over 50,000 cans of food,” Adkins explained.
Next, guests will enter the Adkins’ 6,000 square foot heated arena. They’ll visit the marketplace and taste the foods of Bethlehem. They’ll see the goats, sheep, chickens and ponies for sale. They’ll hear from the synagogue priest. They will talk with the townspeople and learn their trades. They’ll visit a Bethlehem family and speak to ladies at the watering well and so much more. Free hot chocolate, free cookies, and even a free group photo will be available to all who visit Bethlehem. The innkeeper will explain his no vacancy status and then guests will go to the back of the arena for the poignant Nativity scene. The Nativity features the Holy Family and even the farm camel, Boaz.
Jessica says she can’t imagine what her passed on family would think if they were able to see this experience. “My grandpa, Bill Lucas, was the most devout Christian I knew; he wasn’t perfect, but he always wanted people to know about Jesus; I’ll never forget that about him. My husband’s grandparents, Murl and Maxine Adkins, were the big shapers of his Christian life. We want to be those kinds of people to the community, ourselves.”
The Adkins family is using their farm to glorify God. They are stewards of the land the Lord owns, so it’s only natural. True love was born in a stable and the Adkins family would love for you to celebrate Jesus in theirs. Please go to www.BlackHorseBethelehem.com to reserve your FREE tickets.
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