| | | Nativity Play - 21 December 2014 |
This well dressed cast would impress Cecil B DeMille himself The
4th Advent morning service on Sunday 21st was very busy, with
two ministers, a baptism plus the nativity play presentation.
Following
a warm welcome to the congregation from Alastair Bruce, which included
the Stanley family from Coorparoo, a district in Brisbane Australia, we sang 'It was on a starry night'
before Ruby Sprott did the honours of lighting the first four advent
candles.
 Alastair
handed over the baton, so to speak, to the Rev Ron Smith, an old friend
and past minister of St. Mungo's to perform the baptism of Amy Ella
Stanley. The Stanley's were visiting their Penicuik roots for Christmas
and took the opportunity to baptise Ella, born in 2011, while they were
here. Ron told us about the family and their journey to reach us. We
wish them all a very merry Christmas and a peaceful return trip home.
After
singing the 4 verses of Christmas is Coming, and the reading from Isaiah
it was time to clear the decks and setup the nativity scene for our
interpretation of the nativity story, which included several Christmas
carols and hymns, with music led by Eileen Marchant.
Though
small in number our Sunday School children had dressed for their parts,
Charlie Sprott as the angel Gabriel, carrying the star, with Rebecca
and Abby Robertson, and Ruby Sprott as angels, supported by Sunday
school teacher Joan Trquair. John Sprott was dressed as a
shepherd, with members Dorothy Paterson, Janis Hogg nd Sheila Haig
making up the remainder of the group. The cast was completed with other
suitably attired adult members of St. Mungo's, and Margaret Black acting as prompt, so we were soon
ready to begin the story.
The narrator Agnes Ovenstone
started the story by introducing the bad King Herod, played by Sandy
Robertson. Herod was pretty angry at the request of the Roman's to
conduct a census, but insisted with no 'if's' or 'buts'. He was
quite mystified why people wished to overthrow him, seeing himself as a
real benefactor and kind King !
 We
heard from Simeon the priest, played by Gordon MacDonald, and the
prophetess Anna, played by Mary Paterson. Though both had views
on Herods reign, they both were looking for the Lord's Messiah to bring
them peace from the Romans, His kingdom being based on justice and
righteousness. The Messiah will be the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty
God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. They awaited in
Jerusalem in anticipation of the Messiah to be born.
Meanwhile
we turned to Mary and Joseph, played by Margaret and Bill Webster,
finding out that Mary was to bear the baby Jesus, much to Joseph's
surprise, as they were not yet married!
Eventually the pair
arrive in Bethlehem for the census, but find no place to stay,
eventually taking the stable for Mary to give birth to her baby son.
 We
move to the fields and meet the shepherds, played by Dorothy Paterson,
Janis Hogg, Sheila Haig, and John Sprott. They are visited by the
angels who tell them of the birth, and to make their way to Bethlehem.
We
find the three Wise Men, played by Christine Jackson, Isabel Donachie,
and Jenny Ramage already at Herod's palace being questioned by guards, played by Jack Hutcheson and Carole Lough, why they
were there.
Herod's guards were not impressed that the wise men had followed the
star to see the new born king, and were told to
'move along'! King Herod is eventually called and gives a
similar rebuke, though leaves the door open in case there is a new
king.
 The
wise men eventually meet up with the shepherds at the stable, Herod and
his official, played by Eric Marchant, and the rest of our cast to
worship baby Jesus in the manger.
The
good news of the Christmas story is set in a time where people
were looking for salvation from oppression, cruelty, fear, injustice
and poverty. This setting is not very different from many places in the
world today. We have all come to worship the baby Jesus. His birth does
not just offer a fresh start, or a new kingdom, but that we can all
become children of God. Let us celebrate and share that good news.
Alastair
Bruce thanked the cast on conclusion of the play, and drew the service
to a close. Many of the congregation joined the after
service tea and coffee to meet some of the cast.
Later
in the afternoon the Messy Church service for families with small
children held a short service, which you can read all about HERE
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