15.12.2025
Rathmichael’s Nativity Express Draws Huge Crowd
Hundreds of visitors flocked to Rathmichael Church on Saturday (December 13) to hop aboard the Nativity Express. The imaginative interactive trail brought participants on a journey through time to experience the Christmas story with live actors (and sheep) and fantastic sets.
Families came from far and wide to travel on the train which brought them back to the time of the Prophets who foretold the birth of Christ, and then forward to Roman times from whence they could follow the story from the Census to the birth of Jesus.
The Nativity Trail is the largest of a number of trails run at Rathmichael during the Church year. They form part of the parish’s mission and outreach to the community and their creation and implementation is masterminded by Cherith Hanily with the great support of a huge team of parish volunteers.
This year almost 100 volunteers gave their time to a whole range of tasks from building the sets, to coordinating the crafts in the parish hall, to baking for refreshments and the cake sale, as well as the numerous actors. Nineteen of the volunteers were under 18 and were largely made up of the parish’s Zeo Youth Group.
Admission was free and donations towards the costs were welcomed.
Rathmichael’s Rector, the Revd Sean Hanily, explained the value of the trails. “This is part of our mission and outreach to the wider community. Many people who come here have no connection to church. We have leaflets for our Jingle and Joy Family Carols which take place on Christmas Eve [at 4pm], and many who enjoyed the experience today may come along to that service. Three years ago a woman came along to one of our trails who had previously had no contact with our church and today she is the People’s Church Warden,” he commented.
The trail began at the entrance to the Rectory where participants boarded the Nativity Express and journeyed back in time to meet the prophets of old, Isaiah and Micah, at ‘Prophets’ Haven’. They set the scene for the most famous birth of all time. The journey continued forwards to the time that B.C. meets A.D. as people arrived into the middle of the Roman Census at ‘Census Central’ and had their documents checked by our centurions.
The next stop on the journey was ‘Carpenter’s Square’ where the angel Gabriel told people of the recent events that had been happening, before meeting the shepherds (and their real sheep) at ‘Flockside Station’ who had also heard the good news. Then it was onwards to the ancient city of Bethlehem where Mr and Mrs Innkeeper were at ‘No Room Junction’.
As visitors moved on past Bethlehem, they encountered the fearsome King Herod, who bribed the children with gold coins in exchange for information as to the whereabouts of this new king. The next stop was ‘Magi Waypoint’, where three mysterious wise men had heard the news and were making a journey also. The journey finished at ‘Manger Halt’ where people could meet the baby that they had all been talking about.
After this interactive trip through time, visitors moved to the adjoining hall where the fun continued with themed activities and crafts to complete; and refreshments for all to enjoy.
The Rector paid tribute to all involved in the event – actors, crafts leaders, caterers, and all those involved in making the sets, props, costumes and overall planning. “It was truly incredible day that will be long remembered in the life of our church and wider community,” he said.
