Crib Festival

vicar29
2 days ago
2 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

What a wonderful weekend, bringing together people from across the Church family and the wider community in a festival of creativity and in celebration of Emmanuel - God with us.

The church was filled with 60 cribs, from the very small to the enormous, and made of everything from wood to wool. We enjoyed music from a whole range of talented members of the congregation and friends, from under 7 years old to over 70, and enjoyed long conversations over cups of tea and mince pies. Visitors were simply amazed by the variety of the cribs and the warm community feel.

Although fund raising was not our primary purpose, we made over £1,000 for our Church charities: Emmaus Village Carlton, Home for Good and WorldVision in Pajule Uganda. A lovely early Christmas present to be able to send off.

I had hoped the event would be fun, connect us as community, and raise a little money for our Church charities, but the Crib Festival ended up being so much more than I expected. The variety of creativity of cribs was astonishing, and so many visitors commented on the warmth of the atmosphere. But what struck me most was just how moving the experience was, and I know I was not alone. The crib festival took us far from the secular, commercial Christmas, and right into the heart of the Incarnation. A God who is with us in our joy - reflected in a holy family made of cuddly toys, and in our deepest grief - reflected in the angels ascending from the SOBs nativity. A God present with those who are sleeping rough - reflected in a crib made from a cardboard box and sleeping bag by HopeWorks, and a God who is with children in their excitement about Christmas - reflected in the glitter covered stable. The promise, presence and hope of the Christ Child was proclaimed loud and clear.

One of the younger members of the Church family shared her thoughts. She writes:

The Crib Festival

One day, on Sunday, I went to the Crib Festival and I played my violin. I saw lots of cribs and Saviours. I liked all of them. I made a crib with my friends. It was sparkly and shiny, and there was Angel Gabriel, and the 3 kings, and the shepherds, and a very very tired donkey, and Mary and Joseph, and Baby Jesus. There was a crib I made at Rainbows; I drew a donkey at Rainbows. I had juice and cake with my family.

A huge thank you to everybody who made this event possible.

And for those who are asking whether we will do it again next year - that is entirely up to you!

Our winners by popular vote were:

Community Organisation Winner : Tibbs Dementia Foundation.