Some 70 young people have been learning all about Christmas at one of our Ripon area churches.
St Mary’s Thornton-in-Craven recently hosted an ‘Experience Christmas’ event, which brought members of the congregation together with children from the local primary school to explore different aspects of the Christmas story.
There were six stations at the church, covering such areas as preparation, the journey, the shepherds and the wise men and God's gift of Jesus to the world.
The Revd Robert Findlow, Vicar of the church, said: “It made my heart sing to see children and older members of the church beaming with smiles as they shared the good news of Christ's birth.
“It is one thing getting congregations to think about mission, and this was clearly an act of mission in the local community, but often Church members are wary of the "E" word - evangelism.
“At our event one generation passed on the story of Christmas to another generation; don't look now, but it was a gentle act of evangelism.”
Suzie Brown, Headteacher at Thornton-in-Craven Community Primary School, said: "The whole afternoon helped us to see the story in different parts and the importance of each part.
“Lots of us enjoyed smelling the frankincense and we were surprised to learn how quickly the shepherds left their camp to visit Jesus - even leaving their shoes!
“Everyone did a great job to tell the story!"