On Sunday 11th December we were treated to one of Jackie's renowned Christmas Special Services.
As she said in her opening, over the years we have tried to tell the Christmas Story in many different imaginative ways.
In the early days, when the Sunday School was active, it was easy to organise the traditional 'Nativity Play'.
Laterly we have done an adult version of the same thing.
This year Jackie recalled reading a book in which some of the main characters in the Christmas Story told their version of events. She wrote scripts for 'The Inkeeper' (Nick Maltby), A Shepherd (Ann Tempest) and Joseph (Roger Hopes).
The Innkeeper's Story was full of angst. He worried about what subsequent generations had thought about his inability to find a suitable room, in his Inn, for the King of Kings to be born in. He was at pains to point out that he and his wife had "done their best". Was the congregation convinced by his story ........???
The shepherd recalled how she and her humble collegues were engrossed in looking after the flock at night as their forefathers had done for centuries. How they wrapped themselves against the cold wind and marvelled at the beautiful aray of stars above them. How they were awe struck by the majesty of the Angel who came to announce the birth of theirs' and mankind's Saviour and encouraged them to go and worship Him in the little town of Bethlehem.
Joseph was taken by the serenity of his wife, Mary. How calmly she took what was happening to her as she prepared to give birth to the 'Son of God'. Above all he declared his respect for God and his gratitude for God choosing him to be Mary's husband; for giving him the strength to deal with all the difficulties involved in that role.
This was a very moving portrayal of this ancient story made more poingnant by the appropriate hymns and readings Jackie had chosen to accompany the telling of it.
And as Shakespear's King Henry V said ".....And gentlemen in England now a-bed shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
As she said in her opening, over the years we have tried to tell the Christmas Story in many different imaginative ways.
In the early days, when the Sunday School was active, it was easy to organise the traditional 'Nativity Play'.
Laterly we have done an adult version of the same thing.
This year Jackie recalled reading a book in which some of the main characters in the Christmas Story told their version of events. She wrote scripts for 'The Inkeeper' (Nick Maltby), A Shepherd (Ann Tempest) and Joseph (Roger Hopes).
The Innkeeper's Story was full of angst. He worried about what subsequent generations had thought about his inability to find a suitable room, in his Inn, for the King of Kings to be born in. He was at pains to point out that he and his wife had "done their best". Was the congregation convinced by his story ........???
The shepherd recalled how she and her humble collegues were engrossed in looking after the flock at night as their forefathers had done for centuries. How they wrapped themselves against the cold wind and marvelled at the beautiful aray of stars above them. How they were awe struck by the majesty of the Angel who came to announce the birth of theirs' and mankind's Saviour and encouraged them to go and worship Him in the little town of Bethlehem.
Joseph was taken by the serenity of his wife, Mary. How calmly she took what was happening to her as she prepared to give birth to the 'Son of God'. Above all he declared his respect for God and his gratitude for God choosing him to be Mary's husband; for giving him the strength to deal with all the difficulties involved in that role.
This was a very moving portrayal of this ancient story made more poingnant by the appropriate hymns and readings Jackie had chosen to accompany the telling of it.
And as Shakespear's King Henry V said ".....And gentlemen in England now a-bed shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
