Some people thought we had peaked last year but they were wrong. Even more families turned out in force to join our no rehearsal Nativity service on Christmas Eve at Dunsfold Church.

There were three generations of several local families as grand parents were joined by their children and their grand children as the clans reunited for Christmas in Dunsfold. Our crib service is becoming a cornerstone of Christmas worship In our village.

And we had a live actor playing baby Jesus in the form of the beautiful, and quiet, Atticus who did sleep peacefully in our manger.

Judith Lahey-Bean was as usual the narrator of the play and had put together an highly efficient team to help dress the young actors and direct them through the service.

Jacquie Griffiths, the wife of our new rector and a qualified lay leader, led the formal parts of the service and spoke about this being her family’s first Christmas in our parish. Fr Shane was taking part in the Hascombe nativity at the same time.

Anybody who has attended this event in the past will know it’s relaxed with no worries about people moving in church or making noise. That was part of the joy again and Mel Shone, in charge of our roving microphone, encouraged our youngsters to deliver their best lines.

A crib service of this kind couldn’t work without a team of helpers who all deserve our grateful thanks even if there are too many to mention individually. However, it’s only right to mention our organist Tanya Brooks for her typically energetic playing. 

But as Jacquie said at the start: “The stars of the show are our children.” And they delivered for us again in a memorable performance.

You can find more photos of the event by clicking on the attached links to this article.