Town Church’s crib service experiment judged a success
NATIVITY characters, unicorns and reindeers attended the annual Town Church crib service, but this year with a twist.
Those attending were invited to dress up as characters or animals from the nativity, to make the traditional service fun and interactive.
It was the first year that the church has adapted its Christmas Eve crib service to incorporate fancy dress, but mission priest the Rev. Peter Graysmith said it was something they would definitely bring back.
‘This was a bit of a test as it was the first time we’ve done this, but we will definitely be back doing it next year and hopefully it will grow and grow,’ he said.
The service consisted of children reading out the stages of the nativity story from the Bible.
The congregation sang carols in between each reading and the figures from the main nativity set were put in place.
Ending the service was a competition for those dressed up to meet other people in the church to complete a full congregation nativity set, which even included a real-life sleeping baby.
Georgia, 7, and Albert Mace, 9, dressed up as stars, and ended up winning some chocolate prizes.
Georgia said that she found the game really fun.
‘It was amazing, and the best part of it was the chocolate,’ added Albert.
Ruby, 10, and Jack Evans, 4, attended the service as shepherds.
‘It was fun to dress up and it was really good with the singing in between,’ said Ruby.
‘If I do it next year I think I’ll dress up as a wise king.’
Mr Graysmith said that service showed that Christmas is a time that brings people together, from different generations and all different cultures and walks of life.
