Nativity on the move

A Bethlehem nativity scene is touring homes around Middleton. The crib fittingly began its travels at the Elmer Inn. Licensees Geoff and Gill Mason were delighted to be asked by St Nicholas Church in Middleton to display the seasonal scene for a few days.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Dec 2007, 10:07 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 18:07 BST

Mr Mason, who has been at the pub since 2004, said: "Christ was born in the stable of a Bethlehem inn and, in a modern recreation of the Bible story, it seems right that the journey of St Nicholas Church's Christmas crib should start here in our village inn."

The crib is visiting eight families who volunteered to host it. The scene,with the baby Jesus and his parents, the shepherds and their sheep, was created by church members three years ago.

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Throughout Advent, it tours the parish, staying for three days at different homes. Each family keeps one of the sheep.

A special family service at 4pm on Christmas Eve sees the crib return to the church. Each family brings back the animal they have kept. The animals were made by members of St Nicholas Sunday School. Mothers' Union member Helen Hill created the adult figures.

Father William Marston is the vicar of the recently-enlarged St Nicholas. He said: "I want to thank Sylvia Marshall, who runs our Sunday School, toddlers' group and youth group, for organising this reminder of the story of Christ's birth"

Related topics:Middleton