A BRECONSHIRE village re-enacted the Christmas story with its Living Nativity on Christmas Eve.
Over 200 people joined ‘Mary’ and ‘Joseph’ and their donkey on a half-mile walk through Talybont-on-Usk looking for accommodation.
The torchlight procession sang traditional carols as they followed Mary and Joseph, supported by a Dyfed-Powys Police escort.
They stopped at a house in Station Road and outside the White Hart Inn, where Joseph asked if any accommodation was available.
Finally at the Star Inn, Landlord Matthew suggested they try Talybont Farm where to everyone’s delight the Jenkins had a barn available complete with manger and musicians, and set out with hay bales to seat the accompanying crowd.
When the crowd was seated, the angel Gabriel played by Heike Podger announced the birth of Jesus and brought the baby to complete the Holy Family – this year the Eardleys from the White Hart. Glasnant Morgan as master of ceremonies announced further carols, and the children in the crowd joined the three shepherds in coming to look at the baby Jesus. Revd Liz Bramley gave a short talk on the meaning of Christmas.
Revd Kelvin Richards, Priest-in-Charge of the Beacons Benefice, thanked the many people who had helped in different ways in staging the event and said that the Living Nativity has now become an important part of the Christmas celebrations for the area.
Jonathan Eardley, who took the role of Joseph, said: “Sarah and I were delighted to be the Holy Family this year with our three month old baby Ffion.”
Rachel Griffiths from Pencelli added: “Talybont’s Living Nativity helped make Christmas very special for our family.”
MERVYN BENEFICE