Children and parents at Christchurch West Methodist Parish presented a Christmas drama, Away with the Manger. They share their nativity story.

A photographer and reporter were keen to get the perfect photo of Mary, Joseph and Jesus for the local paper. As the Christmas characters appear one by one they are squeezed into the photo. Finally the manger with baby Jesus is pushed out of the way to make room for Father Christmas!

With the excitement and anticipation of Christmas we often let decorating the tree, wrapping the parcels, attending parties and lots of other activities crowd out Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas.

For your Bookshelf

Title: Thank You

Author & Illustrator: Dana Winter

Publisher: Beatnik Press

Felix discovers the wonders of nature when, lying in bed, he sees the moon. Dreamily he dances too quickly into the night and then can’t get home.

He meets the night and the sun, the bees and a bear but no-one will help him.

Eventually he meets the stars and moon who grant him his wish. This is a delightful story, beautifully illustrated with an easy to read text. It would also be great to share with very young children.

Thank You Puzzle

F W A T E R F S F Q

R A K Y N M C O A V

I S M U I H O A C Y

E L S I O D K I O V

N A Q O L T R E E S

D M L T R Y P N P W

S I L S R E W O L F

S N J E S U S C C M

V A T E A C H E R S

Q S R O T C O D U U

Can you find all these words in the puzzle?

animals doctors family flowers

food friends Jesus school

sun teachers trees water