Christmas in Our Community (Rural NSW)
I live in a small rural community in New South Wales, Australia. There isn't much here. When I was in school someone attempted to run a small local store for a while. Unfortunately their high prices and the nearby convenience of a major city lead to the downfall of this store. We've had a few restaurants; one has survived. Mostly we have hobby farms, and city workers who love the country life style. In 2017 we have a few proper bus-shelters, a community hall, rural fire-station, children's playground and a small church.
Our small church, St Andrew's, is the subject of this post. How we celebrate Christmas as a community each year at St Andrew's has become a tradition. Some people even drive out to our community from the nearby Capital to share our special celebration.
So what is so special about how we do Christmas? We have a live nativity play with all the animals, angels and shepherds. Usually a local lady who has recently had a baby will play Mary, and her little one plays Baby Jesus. The children in the community grow up playing angels and shepherds until they become too old to want to participate.
Last year, our local strings group (I am the sole cello player) accompanied everyone singing Christmas hymns. This added further character to our yearly service.
Our Community celebrates Christmas with character and it is one of those stable traditions that I can rely on when Christmas comes. It is something that many people in our community are proud of; myself included.
The Wise Men taking the donkey away
When all the shepherds join Mary and Joseph
Lovely little angels
The Wise Men tend to the donkey
A gathering at the 'stable'
The Wise Men over yonder
Wise Men on the move
The Wise Men following the Star
The Shepherds patiently wait
The Good Shepherds Again
The 3 Wise Men with Mary and Joseph
This merino sheep has no idea where he is going - but he is still part of the play
The superstar merino - honestly he is uncontrollable
See! Now he wants to go the other way!
Mary and the Baby Jesus
Mary controlling the donkey/arse
Our little shepherds
Our angels - with sun shining down on them from heaven above
The merino - because we have a street named after these creatures.
He finally looked at the camera
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Mary and the donkey
A host of angels