YORK MINSTER is staging its Christmas nativity with a special twist this year - as it will be completely unrehearsed.
About 350 children from the York area are expected to take part in the nativity at the cathedral this year. Clergy there are confident they will be able to improvise a re-enactment of the Christmas story involving all the children.
The crib service will take place at midday on Christmas Eve and all are welcome.
Traditionally children come dressed for the service as characters from the Christmas story.
Canon Jonathan Draper, who will be leading the service, said: “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. 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!”
There will be other family activities taking place at York Minster over the coming weeks.
From December 17 to 23, children can make Christmas wreaths and tree-top angels and listen to Christmas tales in St Nicholas Chapel.
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