Suddenly, everyone heard an unusual noise - - the clip-clop of a horse?s hooves. Heads swivelled round, children stood on pews and gazed towards the West Door. Sure enough, it was Twiglet, led by Joseph, and with Mary on his back he walked down the aisle to the centre of the nave where he stood looking at everyone and munching a carrot! Mary and Joseph had arrived at the inn. We heard how Jesus was laid in a manger and we sang ?In the bleak mid-winter? to welcome him.

Suddenly all the lights went out and it was the turn of the angels and shepherds. They stood on the pews under arc lights whenever they heard themselves mentioned. Thereafter, the junior choir came down the aisle by candlelight, singing their welcome song ?Torches, torches!? And finally, we all sang ?On Christmas night all Christians sing? as Mary, Joseph and the choir gathered round the crib.

Outside Twiglet was waiting to give his own special greeting to all the children.

A big ?thank-you? to Kathie Burgess, our Children?s Hour leader, who wrote and directed this special Christmas service and to Twiglet for allowing his owner, Marion Kuit, to bring him.