Tucked away in the hollers of Minford, Ohio, is a fascinating place called the Christmas Cave.  I was able to go last year with Jake and Sahara on a field trip, and we enjoyed it so much we went again on another field trip this year, and this time we took Ted.

It’s a long twisty winding road to get there through and around and over the hills of Southeastern Ohio, and it is absolutely breathtaking this time of year. We enjoyed the scenic drive filled with farms and little houses tucked away on the hillsides, and we absolutely loved going through the Christmas Cave.

It is free admission to go through it, although they do ask for a donation at the end to help them keep the lights on. The only cost you have to pay is $2 for parking at the bottom of the hill ($5 for passenger vans or buses). When you first walk in, it’s so dark, but then your eyes adjust and you see the candles softly lighting the pathway you are to follow through the cave. In each of the cave’s little alcoves, there are scenes that take you through the nativity and the birth of Christ.  There are scriptures and scrolls lit up so you can read which verses go with what you’re actually seeing in front of you.  One of our favorite parts of the Christmas Cave is one of the first things you see, and it is the city of Bethlehem as it was 2000 years ago, lit by the star announcing the birth of Jesus; it’s as if you are standing on a mountain  looking at that city way off in the distance as you travel there yourself. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my life!

If you’ve never been, you really need to go! There is just no way to describe it. It’s one of those things you have to experience at least once in your lifetime!

Because it is so dark in there, it’s very difficult to get good pictures. This is one of the last things you see before exiting the cave, and we all agreed it’s absolutely gorgeous. I was so excited that my picture of it turned out this year! I tried to get one last year, but the phone I had at that time did not capture it well. This year, my new phone did!

The Christmas Cave is open every Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. through December 30th. It is not handicap accessible because it is in the old white gravel mines oh, and the deep gravel on the floor of the cave would make it difficult to maneuver a wheelchair or a walker. It would also be difficult to maneuver a stroller through the deep gravel so I suggest putting small children into a baby sling on your back or front.

The Christmas Cave is located at 4007 White Gravel-Mcdaniel Road, Minford, Ohio. They are also on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1265224730289608/?ti=as