PR at Tuesday's Child :: Live Crib Opens in Belfast

Press Office at Tuesday’s Child

Live Crib Opens in Belfast

NEWS RELEASE • NEWS RELEASE • NEWS RELEASE

Friday 20 Dec 2013
Time 11 am

St Mary’s Chapel Lane in Belfast City centre will host a Bethlehem nativity scene with live animals in a specially built life-size manger.

The live crib opens today, Friday at 11 a.m. in the grotto, featuring Joseph, Mary, angels and shepherds. The baby Jesus will arrive on Christmas Eve night . The three wise men are en route!

Also featuring are a donkey called Henry, a goat called Emily and baby goat, Sparkle, kindly provided by Blackberry mobile farm.

Children of St Mary’s Primary School, Belfast will be performing carols and songs from their Christmas play at the launch of the live crib.

Children and their families are encouraged to come along and visit the crib, built by a carpenter from Coalisland, Dessie Symmington They can also pet and brush the animals.
Speaking about the crib Dessie said “It was a joy to build the crib and to be part of helping innocent children suffering so much from war in places like Syria and Gaza, so close to Bethlehem. It was a labour of love for these children. I am also very grateful for the opportunity to make Christmas, in even a small corner of Northern Ireland, a bit better”,

Admission to the crib is free however the public are asked to consider making a small donation. All proceeds will go to Belfast-based charity Tuesday’s Child’s Following Yonder Star Christmas Appeal for war-torn children in Syria, Gaza and Kenya.

Children coming to visit the crib are also welcome to dress up as angels, shepherds or kings and take photos of themselves at the crib with the animals.

The Mill Hill missionary priest at St Mary’s Chapel Lane, Fr James Boyle, said “We are delighted to host the live crib in the grotto to help war-torn children. We wish you all peace, happiness and the blessings of the Nativity this Christmas”.

Tuesday’s Child’s Following Yonder Star will bring 3 gifts each to children. Gifts are distributed on 6th January. With bitterly cold weather right across the Middle East, Syrian and Gazan children will receive coats and kits (hat/scarf/gloves) and a toy. Hot lunch will also be provided. Children in Kenya will receive new shoes as part of their Christmas gifts.

“Our prayer this Christmas is peace for every child born and unborn. We hope the light from this crib will reach out and bring His gift of peace to children who know no peace this Christmas”, said Tuesday’s Child.

The crib will remain open until Tuesday 7th January 2014.

Orla Sheehan Mob 07545 452362

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