Live Nativity - Totley Hall Farm - Sheffield

http://www.aboutnottinghamshire.co.uk/

I picked up a leaflet about this event in Chesterfield Tourist Information Centre, and as it sounded like fun, I soon had tickets booked!
On arrival the first thing one sees is barns full of sheep and little lambs - all making quite a racket!

Then it was inside to the adjacent barn, where there was an impressive collection of dressing-up clothes.  There was a small stand full of seats, so everyone got a good view, and at a pen at the side, taking a great interest in all the activities, was Rosie the cow!

Then the story began, with all the children being carefully led so they could take part, whether they were angels, shepherds or wise men.Of course, Mary, played by a very small child in flowing blue robes, arrived on the back of 'Spirit', a very docile donkey!

It was really lovely to see children actually carrying live lambs, and we could certainly hear them in the barn next door.

 Afterwards any child could ride on the donkey, under supervision of course.  Everyone was told to wash their hands thoroughly at the row of sinks along the wall, before collecting tea, coffee or hot mulled wine.  There were also hot mince pies, chocolate shortbread biscuits and soft drinks for the children.  They could also visit Father Christmas in his snug little house.

I thought this was all quite wonderful, and was so glad I'd made the effort to attend.  The children who took part will long remember their experience of the Nativity story.