Memories of a special nativity – Merry Christmas
Posted by Ellee on Dec 23, 2009 in Personal | 22 commentsThis favourite photo sits on my bookcase, memories of a special nativity 13 years ago when my youngest son James was four. He is pictured as a shepherd kneeling in the front 
row with the striped sheet wrapped round his head.
It was taken during a unique nativity service in St Laurence’s Church, Wicken, a neighbouring village. I remember the magic of this particular service, with pews crammed full of festive families and smiling children.
The belfry was transformed into a stable, complete with straw and animals; a sheep and a donkey, from memory. One of the newest babies in the village was cast as Jesus, with his parents as Mary and Joseph.
As the children arrived, they were assigned roles and costumes and acted out the story of the nativity totally unrehearsed to carols; there were at least six regal kings, a dozen sweet angels, and maybe two or three shepherds.
This service is held every Christmas Eve and the last time I went two years ago – my sons have sadly outgrown it – the nativity was centered around the front the church, but there was no stable or animals. Perhaps health and safety.
If you have special nativity memories, do share them.
I wish you all the very best for a happy Christmas with your loved ones and a peaceful, prosperous and healthy New Year.
Hope you had a good one, Ellee!
I always take flowers on Xmas Day to the graves of friends I have lost in recent years. I always toast our absent friends when we tuck into our dinner, and wish they could have still been with us. Thanks for the great post.
Happy New Year ahead.
All the best Christmas memories involve our kids, don’t they?
A belated Merry Christmas (we are still well within the 12 Days thereof) and my very best to you and yours in the coming New Year.
All the best to you Ellee and your family – hope Christmas was great and that 2010 brings all you desire.
“The belfry was transformed into a stable”.
As a bell ringer, I sincerely hope this wasn’t true! The bells live in the belfry which is a very dangerous place for those who don’t know what they are doing. The Ringing Room is the usual name given to the place where the bell ringers are found and where I’ll be thursday night at about 11.30 ready to ring out the old and ring in the new year.
Happy New Year.
Belated Merry Christmas everyone! and have a prosperous new year.
Thank you all, and disaffected, you are quite right to remind us of our servicemen and women right now.
This is a very sad time for many people too, especially families with missing loved ones and those who have suffered a bereavement. It’s very sad for my pa-in-law who lost his lifelong wife and partner after 65 years in September. I always take flowers on Xmas Day to the graves of friends I have lost in recent years. I always toast our absent friends when we tuck into our dinner, and wish they could have still been with us.
and to you Ellee!
Buon Natale, Ellee. xx
Lets think about all those who are sad and lonely this blessed Christmas night , and special thoughts to all our brave lads and lasses who are out there for us in foreign lands .
God bless and keep them all safe .
Happy Christmas to you and your family Ellee.
Have a wonderful Christmas, Ellee.
The happiest Christmas to you and yours.
Ellee, to you and yours – a very Merry Christmas too.
Hope you and your family have a wonderful christmas x
Lovely memory for you Ellee. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Such a lovely memory
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas
Wishi9ng you a very happy Christmas Ellee
Frugal Dougal, many thanks, I agree with you about seeing Xmas through the eys of our kids. If only it could last longer…
James, I know how special this Xmas will be for you with your new son, I’m so thrilled for you. I hope the New Year sees your dreams fulfilled.
Merry Christmas to you and all your family
James
What a wonderful memory, Ellee.
A couple of years ago, during Advent, the vicars at our church did something very similar – told the children in the audience to come forward and assigned them roles; but we didn’t have any animals.
Our daughters are getting older; but when they were wee, seeing Christmas through their eyes was more magical than going through it myself!