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12/7/06   Living Nativity

by Diane Mitton

The public is invited to gather on Sunday, December 10 at 2:00 p.m. outside Gilford's Thompson-Ames Historical Society's Union Meetinghouse, 24 Belknap Mtn. Road in Gilford Village for the annual Living Nativity celebration.

Members of The First United Methodist Church and the Gilford Community Church join with the Thompson-Ames Historical Society in welcoming you to the reenactment of this joyous event. Since 1993 the members of these two churches and the historical society have joined together to commemorate the Christmas story in word and song. Ryan and Susan Campbell and their daughter Julie, parishioners of the Methodist Church, will portray the holy family and will be joined by members of the church enacting the roles of the other participants in the story – shepherds, angels, and the Magi. Don Curtis, a member of the Community Church, will read the beloved account of the events which unfolded in Bethlehelm of Judea over 2000 years ago. Those attending are invited to join in the singing of taditional Christmas music chosen to compliment the Biblical readings. The caroling will be led by Stanley Piper. .

Oxen from the Salinitro's Farm and sheep and a donkey from the Person's Farm traditionally provide a sense of reality as they become patient witnesses to the events taking place, even as their brothers did so long ago. The animals are sheltered in a rough stable erected on the rise in front of the historic meetinghouse.

As the weather is typically cold and brisk, T-AHS invites those attending to come into the welcoming warmth of the Meetinghouse after the reenanctment to visit together while sharing a hot drink and cookies. For those interested, members of the society will be on hand to answer questions and share information about the meetinghouse and its collections.

For further information, you may call the first United Methodist Church at 524-3289, the Gilford Community Church at 524-6057 or the Thompson-Ames Historical Society at 527-9009.