The Travelling Nativity
Nunthorpe Methodist Church has again organising a Travelling Nativity recreating the Advent journey of Mary and Joseph as they made their way to Bethlehem for that first Christmas. Nativity figures will travel between our homes taken by members and friends of our church and this year by schools and local businesses too. This is based on a South American tradition called the Posada.
What happens?
On the 27th November - Advent Sunday - the Nativity figures left our church and the first household offers them a home for the night. The next day they take the figures to the next people on the list and so on until the Travelling Nativity makes its way back to church on Christmas Eve. There is a box to accompany the figures containing all that is needed to host the event and after a short introduction you can share a cup of tea and perhaps a biscuit or mince pie with those bringing the Nativity to your home - you in turn will receive this welcome as you take the Travelling Nativity to the next household.
What will it mean?
The Travelling Nativity will literally travel miles around the homes, schools and businesses in our community. The symbolic journey will travel through dark and cold to be greeted with anticipation into the comfort of warm, welcoming homes. In the pre-Christmas schedule of work, school runs, shopping, cooking and carol concerts the last thing that we may want is the intrusion of Mary, Joseph and more people in our homes! But we may be surprised that making a little extra effort brings new friendships and fellowship and an opportunity to just take some 'time out' to consider the real meaning and values of Advent.