York Minster prepares for the world's largest unrehearsed Nativity

Saturday 24 December 2011, 12 noon

Gathering together around 350 children to perform a Christmas nativity is a daunting task for anyone, but York Minster’s Crib Service, which takes place at 12 noon on Christmas Eve, has an extra special twist – it is completely unrehearsed!

The Crib Service will see Canon Jonathan Draper leading the proceedings in which children from all around York and beyond gather to perform what is believed to be the world’s largest unrehearsed nativity tableau! All are welcome, with children requested to come dressed as characters from the Christmas story – which leads to some interesting results, as Canon Draper explains:

“We usually have quite a few Marys and Josephs, lots of shepherds, angels and kings plus quite a few of the animals that would have been found in the stable, and then we also have the more unusual characters which we somehow have to draw into the story –superheroes like Batman and Spiderman, and a few Harry Potters, but the most unusual has to be a dragon!”

During the service, a character which has been conspicuous by his absence in York Minster’s large carved Nativity scene also put in his first appearance, when the baby Jesus is blessed and takes His place in the manger to mark the end of Advent and the start of Christmas itself.

The Crib Service is just one of the family-focused activities taking place in York Minster over the coming weeks, which include fun self-guided family trails around the Minster, craft activities and storytelling alongside the traditional services.   Some highlights are:

• Christmas Tales running from 17-23 December in the St Nicholas Chapel
• Handmade Christmas, where children can make pomanders, wreaths and tree-top angels, daily from 17-23 December (£2 per child)
• A Quest for Christmas! Family trail – available daily to help visitors discover the true meaning of Christmas.

Details of all the events and services taking place are available from York Minster’s dedicated Christmas website, http://christmas.yorkminster.org with regular updates also available on Facebook (www.facebook.com/yorkminster.org) and Twitter  (twitter.com/York_Minster). Facebook and Twitter subscribers will also have access to daily photographs, inspirational readings, discounts and advance previews of York Minster’s series of Advent podcasts looking at the true meaning of Christmas.

York Minster is open daily throughout the festive season. It is free to attend services, but for other activities, normal admission prices apply (£9.00 for adults, £8.00 for concessions). Accompanied children under the age of 16 get in completely free! Tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase allowing a full year of access to York’s most famous building.

For more information, please visit http://christmas.yorkminster.org

ENDS

For further media information, please contact:

Jay Commins

Footprint

Tel: 0113 251 5698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@fim.org.uk

or

Lisa Sinclair

PR Officer, York Minster

Tel: 0844 939 0014

Email: lisas@yorkminster.org