St Michael & All Angels Parish Church,
Shefford
The United Benefice of Meppershall & Shefford
Bethlehem Tales
Christmas Eve afternoon at St Michael's saw a very special Nativity Service entitled 'The Bethlehem Tales'.
On
arrival, the Children were invited to join in craft activities based on
each of the five Tales, which were specially written by Jenny Dann.
During the service, each of the Tales was read out, and the Children brought their 'makes' up to the altar whilst Carols were sung.
The climax of the service was the building of a large wall down the centre aisle. The 'Wall's Tale' was then read out which ended with an invitation to knock down the wall and rebuild it in the form of a shelter around the crib.
Jenny Dann has kindly given us permission to publish her Bethlehem Tales on this website (but please note that they are © Copyright Jenny Dann 2003, all rights reserved):
The Donkey's Tale
I am the donkey carrying Mary
on the road to Bethlehem.
Long and slow, long and slow,
step by careful step I go
from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
Joseph is my master kind;
one day he called and said to me:
"You know that Mary is my bride,
a special mother she will be.
God sent his angel Gabriel
to tell her of the promised birth;
her son will be Immanuel,
God with us, Saviour of the earth."
And now, although the time is near,
to Bethlehem we're travelling.
For Joseph has to register
in the town of David, Israel's king.
I am the donkey carrying Mary
on the road to Bethlehem.
Long and slow, long and slow,
step by careful step I go
from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
THE BETHLEHEM TALES © 2003 Jenny Dann
The Innkeeper's Tale
I am the innkeeper who keeps
the smallest inn in Bethlehem.
No more room, no more room!
All I can offer is the gloom
of a simple stable in Bethlehem.
This census is all very well,
but what am I supposed to say
when every house in town is full,
and I have to turn such folks away?
A pregnant girl, an anxious man,
a footsore donkey, tired and quiet:
I've got to help, though no-one can,
for surely her child will be born tonight!
The donkey showed me what to do,
as into the stable she made her way;
"Here is a sheltering place for you,
it's warm, and there's a manger with hay."
I am the innkeeper who keeps
the smallest inn in Bethlehem.
No more room, no more room!
All I can offer is the gloom
of a simple stable in Bethlehem.
THE BETHLEHEM TALES © 2003 Jenny Dann
The Shepherd's Tale
I am the shepherd guarding the sheep,
out in the fields near Bethlehem.
Suddenly, suddenly
an angel brings good news to me,
and now I'm running to Bethlehem.
A shepherd's life is not much fun:
there's little time for making pies!
We're still at work when your day's done,
watching beneath the night-time skies.
Tonight our lives turned upside down:
an angel of the Lord appeared;
the glory of God shone all around,
and angel hosts sang: "Christ is here!"
"Don't be afraid," the angel said,
"I bring great joy for everyone:
in David's town, in manger bed,
you'll find the baby, God's own Son."
I am the shepherd guarding the sheep,
out in the fields near Bethlehem.
Suddenly, suddenly
an angel brings good news to me,
and now I'm running to Bethlehem.
THE BETHLEHEM TALES © 2003 Jenny Dann
The Star's Tale
I am the star leading the Kings
from the East to Bethlehem.
Clear and bright, clear and bright;
Follow me and you'll see the light -
God is born in Bethlehem!
At creation's far-off dawning,
when the universe was young,
God called me his child of morning,
and promised that my time would come.
Now my light appears on earth,
and those who search will surely find;
those who know what love is worth,
and leave their selfishness behind.
So bring your gifts, however small,
and journey on to worship him:
this child who is the Lord of all,
of seas and stars and seraphim.
I am the star leading the Kings
from the East to Bethlehem.
Clear and bright, clear and bright;
Follow me and you'll see the light -
God is born in Bethlehem!
THE BETHLEHEM TALES © 2003 Jenny Dann
The Wall's Tale
I am the wall built to divide
Jews and Arabs in Bethlehem.
I am sad, very sad,
to be made into something hurtful and bad,
spoiling the peace of Bethlehem.
It is the year two thousand and three;
here in the Shepherd's Fields I stand,
where once the angels sang of peace,
but now the people fight for land.
And many have lost the homes they love,
while others live each day in fear.
Why will they not look up above
and see that God loves everyone here?
Reader (interrupts): Hey, listen! It says here in my Bible that "Christ
has made peace between Jews and Gentiles, and he has united us by breaking
down the wall of hatred that separated us."
(Ephesians 2:14)
(Pause)
I am the wall built to divide -
come, knock me down in Bethlehem!
Then start again, start again.
To shelter love will be my aim,
So peace can be born in Bethlehem!
THE BETHLEHEM TALES © 2003 Jenny Dann
Date 1st January 2004