Nativity
All Saints's Church - 2008
Many people commented
at the Carol Service and again on Christmas morning, on how beautiful
the decorated church looked. The simplicity of the candles amongst
the yew and ivy in the window sills and ledges, is always a winning
combination. The positioning of the Christmas tree on top of the
font, worked like a dream – despite a doubting Thomas or three!
We wanted the tree to be visible from every part of the church
and we wanted to start the Crib Service with the children standing
under the tree, alongside Mary on the donkey. And they did –
singing Little Donkey of course! Thank you Di Smith and Martyn
Wright for heaving the tree into position! Also to Ann Phillips
who decorated it with Martyn – shimmering in white and gold,
it looked wonderful. |
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Saturday
the 20th of December 2008 ~ Village children come together
to celebrate the Christmas story here in East Garston. Around forty babies, toddlers and teenagers performed a nativity play at All Saints' Church, as part of the annual crib service. |
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Led
by Joseph, (George Carver) ~ A donkey
named "Polly-Anna" from a sanctuary in Didcot, brought Mary, played by (Sophie Hubber), into the Church, and stayed for the duration of the service. |
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Children
from the church's Young Families Group played the lambs, the shepherds,
other animals and the kings, while the older ones directed them. Readings were given by the parents. |
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As
with all very young children, their curiousity and sense of adventure
came to the fore, and a large basket full of soft dry hay soon found itself stewn around the floor in a very casual manner. |
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Ann and her daughter
Helen, also made some spectacular costumes for the Crib Service:
Tegan and Brooke Gibbard were dressed in midnight blue dresses for
the girls Madonna dance and for the dance of the Angel Gabriels,
Ann and Helen made very effective white satin gowns, decorated with
silver and blue sequins. |
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The
three Kings watch two shepherds as they try to settle the disputed
ownership of one particular shepherd's crook. |
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The
costumes were made in 48 hours and without time for a fitting, they
were perfect for each of the girls. Thank you Ann and Helen, What
talent we have in East Garston! Tegan and Brooke also worked hard
at their dancing and moved beautifully. |
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(Above),
Shannon and Mollie sing Silent
Night. (below right), Joseph contemplates loading hay onto Baby Jesus, Thankfully his efforts were thwarted by a quick thinking Mary |
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Inevitably
it happened, a good old hay throwing session ensued, much to the
amusment and delight of everyone present. |
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Churchwarden
Sally Wright said "The Children delighted the congregation
with their obvious enjoyment in coming together in costume to perform
this year's nativity play. Polly-Anna the donkey revelled in the
attention from the children." |
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Shannon
Rodbourne and Mollie Prictoe did a wonderful job with Ann and Di,
gathering and decorating the windows with greenery and clustering
the candles amongst it. Thank you also to Diana Pilling for her
dainty and very effective pedestal with white roses and ivy around
a pillar candle,with a skirt of bear grass. Also, thank you to Julie
Pennycook for her beautiful Christmas wreath, which hung on the
church door. Julie followed the white roses amongst ivy and yew
theme, and decorated and hung the wreath with gold gauze ribbon.
Julie has already promised to make another wreath for us next Christmas
– thank you. |
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Happily
both Diana’s and Julie’s decorations were still in place
3 weeks later and looked just as lovely at the service on 11th January. |
Photos: Ken Tarbox : Martyn Wright
Text : Sally Wright
: Ken Tarbox
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