  Angel Gabriel
blankets for Jesus
sheep grazing
sheep craft
Innkeeper
lantern lights the way
Jesus in manger cakes
|
| | | Christmas Journey - 7 December 2018 |
visitors visit the scenes on their journey
St.
Mungo's hosted the Christmas Journey, from Joseph and Mary travelling
from Nazareth to Bethlehem, to the birth of baby Jesus in a series of
scenes with activities around the sanctuary in the church. Families
with young children visited the journey as part of their trip to see
the Penicuik Christmas lights switch on.
In
an afternoon of expectation, looking forward to the Penicuik lights
switch on, St. Mungo’s provided a welcome sanctuary against the
biting cold wind and rain. Families with young children flocked to the
church to discover the true meaning of Christmas travelling a journey
visiting a series of scenes and activities culminating in the
birth of Jesus.
 On
entering the church we were greeted by the Angel Gabriel, played by
Marion Mather from St. James the Less, describing the journey we would
be taking, and providing each visitor with a passport to record each
scene they visited. A paper sack was also provided to carry the results
of their activities as they moved on their journey.
Proceeding
into the church we were greeted by Joseph, played by Jordan Hope,
leader of our Destiny congregation in Penicuik, who told us how he and
Mary, who was expecting a child, were to travel from Nazareth to
Bethlehem for the census. Mary Darling and Debbie Hall from the
South Church helped us make blankets to keep the newborn child warm,
with young fingers working hard to make each blanket colourful as well
as warm.
We continued onward, meeting a shepherd, played
by St. Mungo's Bill Webster, with his sheep. He told us of a
visit by angels telling the shepherds of the arrival of the new born
king in Bethlehem. They were to follow the bright star to where the new
Messiah would be born. Our activity was to make a sheep, just like the
shepherds, with Margaret Webster from St. Mungo's, and Gillian Little
for St. James showing us how it was done.
 As
we travelled on we reached Bethlehem to be met by the innkeeper, played
by Andy Longmore from St James. He explained that due to the census
their were no rooms free at the inn. Seeing Mary about to give birth he
offered the stable as a place to rest. Joseph made a bed from a manger,
filled with hay. Our activity was to make a lantern, so we could see
where we were going to next on our journey, helped by Chris Black and
Sandra Knox from North Kirk, and Rae Hunter of Loanhead church.
 A
star lit our way, leading us to a wise man wearing a crown and dressed
in fine clothes, played by David Hogg, assisted by Janis hogg, both of
St. Mungo's, with of course the camel. He told us that he too had seen
the bright star and with his two fellow wise men were taking gifts of
gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a
symbol of a divine person, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of
death. We as travellers were able to make our own gifts, decorating
small boxes with colours and jewels.
 Our
final stop on the Christmas Journey was the stable where we met Mary,
played by Tricia Tucker from St. James, tending baby Jesus in the
manger. The occasional sheep also looked over the manger at Jesus,
aware of his importance to mankind. With the help of Helen McColl
St Mungo's, Fiona Oyler St James, and Sandra Fraser North Kirk,
we decorated small cup cakes with icing sugar, and a jelly baby covered
in a blanket of icing, representing Jesus sleeping in the manger.
  With
our passport fully stamped st each scene, and our bag full of reminders
of our journey we were treated to refreshments provided by Sheena
Allan, South Church, Susan Wong, St Mungo's, and Shannon from St
James.
It was back out into the wind and rain for those who departed to see the town lights switch on ceremony.
 A wonderful and practical way to hear, see, and ‘live’ the Christmas Journey to the birth of Jesus.
A
big thank you to all those who planned and played the parts at each
scene, representing all the churches in Penicuik working together.
God's people from all walks of Christian faith bringing His word to life.
Published - 10 December 2018
| |
Home
| Services | Church Groups | Events | News
| History| Contact Us 
