Over 100 villagers, present and former, as well as some visitors, met outside the Cridford Inn for the start of our walking Nativity. There were gasps when our local postie turned up with a delivery - but it was all part of the plan as he'd brought the message to give to the Angel Gabriel to pass on to Mary! Well angels are messengers and our posties bring us messages! We met three alpacas but Mary wasn't too keen on riding one of them as they have a habit of spitting! Herod was a great 'villain' as always, the Roman soldier managed to keep control and send u on our way to register ourselves. The wise men looked regal in their sweeping gowns; the former young shepherds and angels (now teenagers) reminisced and the current young shepherds and angels warmed themselves round the fire until Gabriel and the adult angels appeared to bring them the good news.Eventually everyone gathered round the stable where baby Jesus quietened down with Joseph's rocking and when we started seeing and when his eyes fell on the lovely sheep presented by the shepherds!We all enjoyed homemade soup afterwards and then made our way back to our homes - or to the pub - having been reminded again of the truth of the account of Jesus' birth in Bethlehm.Our thanks go to Pat for organising everything and to everyone for turning out - including Ian who just happened to be staying in the pub for one night on he and his wife's way from Portugal to Ramsgate, and he had his flute with him. So he joined our wandering minstrel, Mick, to accompany the carols. The weather was perfect, if a bit muddy underfoot in places. but what a truly special evening it was.
Over 100 people - actors, villagers past and present, and visitors - met at the Cridford Inn for the start of the annual village Nativity. We were surprised when our local postie came to make a delivery but then realised he had brought the message that the Angel Gabriel was to give to Mary - well, angels are God's messengers and our postie brings us messages!We had the Roman solider telling us to go and register in our home town, villagers grumbling about the taxes Caesar was imposing and then we all had to move on. Going past Herod's Palace in Jerusalem, we saw the three wise mean and Herod being his usual villainous self! Mary was offered three alpacas to ride on but declined as they spit! Arriving in Bethlehem the local landladies could offer no room but one of them told of a nearby stable where they could find shelter. So up the lane we went into the shepherds' field where today's teenagers reminisced of when they were shepherds and angels, or even baby Jesus! The shepherds and junior angels, sitting round a fire, were surprised by Gabriel's visit but then we all found the star over the place where Jesus was born. He was crying until Joseph rocked him, the children and angels sang Away in a manger, and the shepherds brought their lamb for him to see!The weather had been kind, though it was still a bit muddy, but we all warmed up with lovely homemade soup and bread. Thanks to Pat for organising everything so well, to the actors for playing their parts, and to those who hosted us in various places along the route, We were grateful to Ian, who happened to be staying in the pub overnight on his and his wife's way from Portugal to Ramsgate, who always has his flute with him and willingly accompanied our wandering minstrel, Mick, on his melodica. We all went home - or back to the pub - after what had been the 19th nativity - all hoping there will be another one next year that will be just as special as this one was!
