Donkey and sheep help Living Crib performance

A crowd gathered in the ancient ruins in Manor Gardens on Sunday evening.

Suddenly an angel appeared from the darkness to visit Mary. Soon the Emperor Augustus pointed the way to Bethlehem.

Such care had been taken with details that the Emperor had shaved off the beard he has worn for 30 years, having discovered Roman emperors were clean shaven!

Everyone followed Mary and Joseph and the donkey into Church Street. The difficulties of finding shelter were vividly presented when a door from a cosy little house was shut to their desperate pleas.

Finally a friendly inn keeper allowed them access to his stable - the church.

It took some time for the crowd to stream into the church, but as they waited the well-behaved sheep bleated in their pen.

Eventually Mary, Joseph and the patient donkey walked to the front and the narrator continued to recount the details of the first Christmas.

The shepherds tending their sheep in the church tower were visited by the angel Gabriel, an imposing figure, all 6ft 4ins of him.

As the narrator described the shepherds looking after their sheep, right on cue, a sheep bleated. The shepherds were escorted to the stable by a crowd of angels, otherwise choristers in the church's excellent choir, and later the three wise men appeared after a long journey. Carols were sung enthusiastically by everyone between each scene.

Six week-old baby Elijah, lay peacefully in Mary's arms as the baby Jesus. All children were invited to gather around in the stable,as Away In A Manger was sung. This year there were more children than ever, so that there was certainly no room in the stable, rather like in the town of Bethlehem long ago.

The cast of many adults and children, together with the animals, gave an impact to the familiar story, centred on a vulnerable baby, which lies at the heart of our Christmas festivities. It also was a reminder that this is a story grounded in history and full of the ordinary routine and difficulties of human life.

Mulled wine and mince pies were served afterwards in a crowded Community Centre by the church's bellringers.