  The Angel clock
The Guides, Brownies and Rinbows look on as the story unfolds
Mums and Dads in the gallery look on 
Watching their children and the story
 The cast build up as the story proceeds
Lots of action as more actors take part.
Nearly all players on stage
Mary & Joseph with baby Jesus
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| | | Girlguiding Christmas - 9 December 2014 |
The cast at the end of the nativity play
St.
Mungo's was delighted to once again host the Girlguiding Christmas
service for 2014. The bitter cold did not deter the Girl Guides,
Brownies and Rainbows from heading to St. Mungo's where the church was
lit brightly, warm, and inviting. The church was filled with
girls from all the companies in and around Penicuik. Mums, Dads,
grandparents and friends soon filled the balcony so they could look
down on the performance and their loved ones. The theme for the service
was the nativity, and the cast were soon costumed up ready for their
roles.
The Rev Lynsay Downs from St. James the Less
church opened the service and explained that this story of the journey
to Bethlehem was to be a little different, with us traveling back in time
from NOW to the birth of Jesus, meeting all the characters in the story
on the way.
The service started with us singing 'Ding Dong Merrily on High'
As
Ephiriel an angel announced. “God has sent me to invite you on a
journey. You are to travel from this place, now, to Bethlehem, at the
time of Jesus birth. Will you travel with me?” To which the
guides replied 'With the help of God we will'. So we set out from out
time NOW back to the birth of Jesus.
An unusual rendering of
Hark the Herald Angels, to a rock beat, familiar to primary school
children, was led by Graham McDonald on the organ.
The sheep were first to explain that
they were trying to get Bethlehem in time for Jesus’ birth. As
the first two advent candles were lit we were reminded what they stood
for; the first reminds us of the Hope we have in Jesus, while the
second candle reminds us of the Peace Jesus gives us. The third sheep
told us that the third candle reminds us of the Joy Jesus brings into
our lives, and the fourth candle reminds us of the great love that God
shares with us as Jesus is born, though we were too early to light the
third and fourth candles on this evening.
After singing the Carol - Midnight we met the Shepherds who were given the good news by the angels.
After
prayers we met King Caspar of Nubia, one of the three kings, or wise
men who travel to greet the baby Jesus. The angel clock told us we were
16 hundred and 99 years since Jesus was born and that we were in
northern Italy waiting for King Caspar's friend.
The
audience joined in singing Twinkle Twinkle, before we met King
Balthazar, 2nd wise man and king of Sheba, travelling with us. We were
now in Zagreb, and it was now 11 hundred and 90 years since Jesus was
born.
Continuing our journey through time we arrived at 500
years since Jesus was born, to meet the Emperor Augustus. who escorted
us through Chalcedon. Augustus explained that he had been taking
part in the Christmas story as a stowaway for many centuries, reminding
us that God’s kingdom is open to everyone; even people who travel
without a ticket!
 By
time we reached 396 years we met Melchior, the 3rd wise man and king of
Egriskulla, explaining that the three kings are part of this
story on behalf of all the people who do not live in the Holy Land.
Bishop
Nicholas of Myra, complete in his red suit, told us that he had
gifts for the kings to take to the Christ Child. We were no 322 years
since Jesus was born.
After singing 'O Little town of Bethlehem'
our journey was now getting closer to the birth date of Jesus when we
met the Innkeeper at 91 years since the birth. He told us that
there is no room for Mary and Joseph but that he shall lend them a
stable instead. We also took a moment to pray for all people who have
no homes this Christmas.
Finally we meet Mary and Joseph who are
setting off from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted and pay their
taxes. Joseph told us that Mary ws to have her baby in the next 24
hours.
After
singing 'Away in a Manger' we meet Mary and Joseph in the stable, just
after the baby Jesus is born. Mary asked us to Sssh! at hearing sounds
for the first time, sleeping for the first time. 'We are so glad you
have come to welcome him!” she said
We quietly sang 'Silent Night' with Graham McDonald pressing lightly on the organ keyboard.
The service concluded with a prayer led by Lynsaydowns and singing of the Calypso Carol.
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