While the rain poured down outside, the atmosphere inside was festive, as several hundred people gathered at Bethlehem’s Light of Christ Lutheran Church to celebrate the first Winterfest. Presented by the United Proclamation of the Gospel congregations of Light of Christ and St. Peter’s Lutheran, both of Bethlehem, to celebrate the beginning of Advent, the Dec. 1 festival featured carnival-style games, a living Nativity, free food, musical performances, carols and a reading of the Nativity story. “We wanted to create a fun, festive and free event for the community at large to celebrate Advent as the season leading to Christ’s birth. We plan to make this an annual community event and hope that next year the weather will cooperate so we can have all activities outdoors, complete with animals for our Nativity,” said Pastor Jerry Kulp, who leads both the Light of Christ and St. Peter’s congregations.