Follow the Star

Last Saturday, a group of Wiltshire churches helped local people Follow the Star at a special ‘living nativity’.

The churches of Marlborough Deanery ran the Follow the Star event to bring the Christmas story to life. Each benefice provided the cast for one of the scenes: Ridgeway provided the Annunciation, Marlborough provided the Angels and Shepherds, Upper Kennet provided Herod and the Magi; and Whitton provided the Stable.

There was also a petting farm for the children to visit at the very end by the Stable.

The script was written by Margaret Hill and the scenes were directed individually by someone from each Benefice. It was truly a pulling together across the Deanery and a wonderful team effort.

The Revd Candice Marcus, Team Vicar of the Whitton Benefice, and Marlborough Deanery's Mission and Development Officer, said, “The Deanery churches invited people to the village of Aldbourne to experience through four living scenes how the real Christmas story unfolded 2,000 years ago.

“It was an opportunity to put the lights, the presents, the food and the increasing commercialism of Christmas to one side and explore this historical event as it unfolded.

“We often see seasonal snapshots on cards and in schools; we hear but do we really understand what the story is telling us? We wanted to give people the chance to go a little deeper.”

Despite the cold, people of all ages followed the star from scene to scene. Searching questions, especially from the children, put the cast at each scene on the spot. Imaginative lighting created a wonderful atmosphere as each scene emerged from the dark wintry night.

Candice concluded, “The whole community pulled together to make Follow the Star a truly memorable and successful event enjoyed by hundreds, leaving all who came in no doubt that Jesus is the ‘reason for the season’ –  after all it is his birthday we celebrate!

“The Team would like to say a huge thank you to all who gave so much so that everyone could enjoy an amazing start to Christmas this year."