This year at church we are having a 'Walk through Christmas' rather than a production. It is open to anyone who wants to come and we have it on for three days altogether. A couple of us have been working on the concept for about 4 months and about halfway through a team joined us to do do sewing, baking, painting and building. It's been so satisfying and a lot of fun.
So let me walk you through Christmas.
Mary is visited by an angel who tells her she will give birth to God's son.
We made a cut out figure so little, or big, girls could have their photo taken if they wanted.
Nine months later Mary and Joseph are making their way to Bethlehem
to take part in the census decreed by Caesar Augustus.
Mary is said to be riding on a donkey.
We were able to have a donkey for the children, and adults, to interact with.
They were able to feed her with carrots or apples
and some of the boys had a go at brushing her down.
Everyone loved her. She was so quiet and gentle.
It was a long three day journey to Bethlehem.
As they approached Bethlehem Mary was due to give birth but there was no room left anywhere for them to stay. They found accommodation in a stable and Mary gave birth and wrapped her baby in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.
Angels also appeared to shepherds who were tending their flocks in the fields
and told them of the birth of a saviour.
" Unto you is born today in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord". Luke Ch. 2 verse 10.
The shepherds decided to go and find the baby and when they had found him in the stable with his parents they worshipped him and went out and told the rest of the community.
The sheep were a collaboration between the Sunday school kids
and some of the adults.
The kids drew, copied and painted them and the adults cut them out.
Meanwhile there were three wise men, (kings, astronomers),
who were travelling from the East in search of the child.
They called on King Herod to ask directions, saying
"Where is He that is born King of the Jews?
For we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him".
Matthew Ch. 2 verse 2.
Herod was rather worried about this as he was King but he told them to go
and find this new king and to come and tell him when they found him.
Herod planned to kill the baby but the wise men were warned by God
in a dream and after visiting the stable and presenting their gifts they returned home by a different route.
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There is a film clip depicting the shepherds and also a chance
for the kids to ice and decorate some star biscuits
before they follow the star trail into Bethlehem.
Mums and Dads get Christmas cake or truffles to nibble on
while they are waiting for the kids to finish creating.
When they arrive at the stable everyone who wants to can dress up
and have their photo taken in the stable with the baby.
Those who have been through so far seem to have enjoyed themselves.
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I hope you enjoy what is left of the lead up to Christmas.
On Friday I am heading back into town with my girls
and leaving my GKB behind. I have shopping to finish
and when I told him I the area I intended to cover
he decided to give it a miss. Coward, haha.
Diana