“Away in a manger, no crib for a bed…”
As darkness fell on Christmas Eve, huge excitement and anticipation filled St. James’ Church Stalmine, at the start of the ever popular Crib Service.
It was clearly going to be a fun-filled occasion for both the young and the not-so-young, judging by the vast array of neon glow sticks,
sparkly reindeer headbands, quirky Christmas jumpers and, a rather special birthday cake!
The empty crib was blessed by Reverend Dyllis Dickinson, who then, with the help from some willing volunteers and a rather engaging angel puppet – suitably clad in a tinsel headdress – recounted the nativity story. As the narrative unfolded, the children were invited to bring forward the crib figures to place in the lowly cattle shed.
The song, ‘No Room at the Inn’, reinforced the challenges faced by Mary and Joseph as the time came for her to give birth:
No room at the inn,
All the reservations were made in the spring.
We’re full to the brim,
Sorry, we can’t let you in.
No room at the inn,
We’re fully booked and the party’s in swing,
Please pardon the din,
Sorry, we can’t let you in…
It was absolutely delightful to see all the little ones gathered in front of the crib, waving their glow sticks in the shadowy light, singing
‘Away in a Manger’ and accompanied on the cornet by a talented youngster.
This was followed by the lighting of the candle on Jesus’ birthday cake and singing the familiar ‘Happy Birthday’ song!
A highlight of the service came when the young, the elderly and all those in-between took to their feet, waved their glow sticks or
mobile torches in the air and sang and swayed along to ‘Light a Candle’.
Rosie shared the following prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
We come to you now to say that we love you.
Help us to keep your love in our hearts, not just at Christmas time, but always.
And help us to grow up, trusting in your love.
Bless children everywhere tonight, especially those who have no loving homes and families.
At the end of the service, in true St. James’ style, the cake was swiftly cut, wrapped up and shared with everyone who attended;
a piece of the joyful celebration, to be taken home and enjoyed!
The Advent journey is over…