Crib Service
The scene was set. Nazareth was signposted, a hillside was created (along with a flock of sheep), a starry night-sky was in situ and an empty stable in Bethlehem awaited visitors. Only some key characters were missing!
At 3.45pm exactly, just as the sun was setting on an unusually bright and sunny Christmas Eve, an abundance of characters came through the church doors, big and small, young and not so young, familiar faces and newcomers…all eager to share in the ever-popular Crib Service at St. James’ church.
Nativity costumes were handed out to those who dreamed of ‘stardom’. Those would-be star-gazers with aspirations to become wise men, wannabe shepherds (and even some sheep), angelic-looking angels, infamous inn-keepers and of course those topping the bill as Mary and Joseph were all kitted out appropriately.
Church pews became theatre seats where audience participation was warmly welcomed. Soft candle-light, abundant seasonal foliage and a twinkling tree generated a special Christmassy feel, setting the tone for the narrative about to unfold.
Sara welcomed the visitors to the service, expressing her delight in front of a packed church. Assisted by a six-year-old helper who read the opening prayer, the ‘Scratch Nativity’ got off to a flying start.
Two narrators led the congregation through the familiar story which was regularly punctuated with robust shouts from the audience of, ‘It’s all about Jesus!’ whenever the word, ‘Christmas’ was mentioned (which happened very frequently)! As the story unfolded, the characters were invited forward to play their part, journeying around the church from location to location, interacting with each other and expressing their feelings through stage-school-worthy faces! This was spontaneous am-dram at its best.
Musical interludes encouraged further participation. Familiar carols, modern compositions and jazzy jingly tunes got the audience rocking and rolling in the pews. The atmosphere was electric.
The expectant young couple had journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem, only to be denied a bed for the night by inn-keeper after inn-keeper. Their refugee status left them on the periphery with no accommodation. The birth of God’s son, to a teenage girl, in a lowly stable, with only a manger for a cradle took centre stage. The excited announcements of His arrival by hosts of angels to the rough and ready shepherds guarding their hill-side flocks made a startling statement as did the long journey made by some learned astrologers, following ‘that’ star to worship at the feet of the Christ-child. The story was re-enacted in the village of Stalmine. The spectacle had unfolded before our eyes. The age-old message had been re-imagined.
All that remained, was to fill the empty crib with the figures to the soothing notes of ‘Away in a Manger’.
In celebration of the Saviour’s birth, the children were given giant glow-sticks to wave around as they danced along to Slade’s ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’. The chancel steps were a-glow!
On leaving church, every child received a lovely book to assist with bedtime reading: ‘The Most Special Christmas Night.’
What more could you ask for? A packed church, the story of the Nativity and a congregation keen to act, sing and have fun…Why? Because it’s all about Jesus!
First Communion of Christmas
Hours after the merry mayhem and crazy chaos of the Crib service for families and children, the same welcoming space inside St. James’ church greeted a good number of adults and youngsters to the First Communion of Christmas.
Led by Rev. Dyllis, the 11:30pm service marked a special moment in the liturgical calendar as night transitioned into dawn, bringing with it, a most eagerly-awaited birth.
The church was bathed in candle-light. There were hand-held candles, illuminating carol sheets and service books, flickering flames amongst the foliage adorning window-ledges, the Christmas Day candle in the centre of the Advent wreath in addition to the altar candles. Such ambient light added a special atmosphere to the proceedings.
The service, traditional in form, was supported by the choir who were in good voice, leading the congregation in song. The resounding notes from the organ captured the celebratory tone of this most holy night.
Naturally, the joyful strains of ‘O, Come All Ye Faithful’, closed the service, announcing a day ahead, full of celebration and jubilation:
‘Yea, Lord we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
O come let us adore Him;
O come let us adore Him;
O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!’
