Four farms around our diocese have played host to Journey to Bethlehem, an interactive retelling of the Christmas story for younger primary aged children. In each location churches worked with farmers to welcome school groups onto the farm, bringing the story of Jesus’ birth to life.
The first event hosted by farmer Mark Pope and the Seven Sowers churches' Open The Book team, took place in Staple Fitzpaine. During the morning, four groups of children and staff were met from their coach by shepherds who told of an angel visitation and invited them to join them on their journey to Bethlehem to find out more about the ‘good news’ they’d heard. Meeting a variety of farm animals along the way, each group had to stop and register at the Roman census point, encountered tax collectors and a grumpy inn keeper before discovering Mary and Joseph and their baby in a stable.
The following week, the journey was repeated in three more locations. Firstly, by a team from the South Quantock benefice at Volis Farm, Kingston St Mary, then at Blackmore Farm, Cannington with the Quantock Villages benefice, and finally over two days at Withycombe Farm with a team from Minehead and Watchet churches. Around 600 children and staff took part over the four events with around 70 people from local churches donning nativity costumes to play their part, including the mums and their babies who made the end of the journey even more special.
Rev Eleanor King, Rector in the Quantock Villages for whom this was a new venture, reflected on the experience there: “The children had a wonderful time and finished their journeys with smiles on their faces. The teachers too had enjoyed the trip, and I think some of the content might have been added to one or two nativity plays! Two parents told me how their children had met them at the end of the day and said, ‘We’ve been to Bethlehem today!’. It sounds as though the trip was one that they would remember for years to come.
“Sadly, we weren’t able to host all the local schools this year, so we’ve booked for the same time next year. We plan to make the drop offs easier for the coaches and reflect on whether we can use our context better. We may just try and get some sheep on a surrounding hillside!“
Supporting the events were Rural Adviser Rob Walrond and Andy Levett from the Go Team, who commented, “It was so good to have this happening in four places this year, each location and its enthusiastic team bringing the story of Jesus to life. The excitement of the children was contagious and the feedback from the schools has been so positive.”
A teacher Trull CE Primary School said afterwards, “We wanted to extend our heartfelt thanks for inviting us. The helpers and characters really brought the story to life, making it a truly magical and memorable experience for the children.” Whilst another from Knights Templar Church School in Watchet added, “A huge thank you for today. The children and staff all loved it and we thought it was such an amazing experience for the children. There was spontaneous singing of the nativity songs on the bus journey back!”
If you are interested in hosting an event like this where you are in 2025 do email Rob Walrond, Deanery and Parish Development Adviser (Taunton Archdeaconry) / Rural Adviser. Email: rob.walrond@bathwells.anglican.org