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Ruby Sprott lights candles

Amy, family and Ron

A happy Herod with Simeon and shepherd

Mary tells Joseph the good news

Angry Herod

3 Kings with gifts

Guards check their lines

Herod's official meets 3 kings

Nativity Play  -  21 December 2014


This well dressed cast would impress Cecil B DeMille himself
The 4th Advent morning service on Sunday 21st was very busy, with two ministers, a baptism plus the nativity play presentation.

Following a warm welcome to the congregation from Alastair Bruce, which included the Stanley family from Coorparoo, a district in Brisbane Australia, we sang 'It was on a starry night' before Ruby Sprott did the honours of lighting the first four advent candles. 

Alastair handed over the baton, so to speak, to the Rev Ron Smith, an old friend and past minister of St. Mungo's to perform the baptism of Amy Ella Stanley. The Stanley's were visiting their Penicuik roots for Christmas and took the opportunity to baptise Ella, born in 2011, while they were here. Ron told us about the family and their journey to reach us. We wish them all a very merry Christmas and a peaceful return trip home.

After singing the 4 verses of Christmas is Coming, and the reading from Isaiah it was time to clear the decks and setup the nativity scene for our interpretation of the nativity story, which included several Christmas carols and hymns, with music led by Eileen Marchant.

Though small in number our Sunday School children had dressed for their parts, Charlie Sprott as the angel Gabriel, carrying the star, with Rebecca and Abby Robertson, and Ruby Sprott as angels, supported by Sunday school teacher Joan Trquair. John Sprott was  dressed as a shepherd, with members Dorothy Paterson, Janis Hogg nd Sheila Haig making up the remainder of the group. The cast was completed with other suitably attired adult members of St. Mungo's, and Margaret Black acting as prompt, so we were soon ready to begin the story.

The narrator Agnes Ovenstone started the story by introducing the bad King Herod, played by Sandy Robertson. Herod was pretty angry at the request of the Roman's to conduct a census, but insisted with no 'if's' or 'buts'.  He was quite mystified why people wished to overthrow him, seeing himself as a real benefactor and kind King !

We heard from Simeon the priest, played by Gordon MacDonald,  and the prophetess Anna, played by Mary Paterson. Though both had views on Herods reign, they both were looking for the Lord's Messiah to bring them peace from the Romans, His kingdom being based on justice and righteousness. The Messiah will be the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. They awaited in Jerusalem in anticipation of the Messiah to be born.

Meanwhile we turned to Mary and Joseph, played by Margaret and Bill Webster, finding out that Mary was to bear the baby Jesus, much to Joseph's surprise, as they were not yet married!

Eventually the pair arrive in Bethlehem for the census, but find no place to stay, eventually taking the stable for Mary to give birth to her baby son.

We move to the fields and meet the shepherds, played by Dorothy Paterson, Janis Hogg, Sheila Haig, and  John Sprott. They are visited by the angels who tell them of the birth, and to make their way to Bethlehem.

We find the three Wise Men, played by Christine Jackson, Isabel Donachie, and Jenny Ramage already at Herod's palace being questioned by guards, played by Jack Hutcheson and Carole Lough, why they were there. Herod's guards were not impressed that the wise men had followed the star to see the new born king, and were told to 'move along'!  King Herod is eventually called and gives a similar rebuke, though leaves the door open in case there is a new king.

The wise men eventually meet up with the shepherds at the stable, Herod and his official, played by Eric Marchant, and the rest of our cast to worship baby Jesus in the manger.     

The good news of the Christmas story is set in a time where  people were looking for salvation from oppression, cruelty, fear, injustice and poverty. This setting is not very different from many places in the world today. We have all come to worship the baby Jesus. His birth does not just offer a fresh start, or a new kingdom, but that we can all become children of God. Let us celebrate and share that good news.



Alastair Bruce thanked the cast on conclusion of the play, and drew the service to a close.  Many of the congregation joined the after service tea and coffee to meet some of the cast.

Later in the afternoon the Messy Church service for families with small children held a short service, which you can read all about HERE