There was no room at the inn when Mary and Joseph came knocking. Not surprising when you consider that they had more than 200 people trying to get in with them.
The crowds were taking part in a hugely popular Living Nativity event which was held in the streets of Reading on Sunday, December 21.
Oragnised by Wesley Methodist Church and St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, the event recreated the events of the first Christmas in a specially devised route around the streets near the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
The event starts from Wesley, in Queen’s Road, with a small petting zoo, including a donkey, sheep and a Shetland pony. First stop was the Lyndhurst Arms, where the assembled discovered that there was no room for them to stay.
The adventures then enjoyed different activities and treats at various stops en route to St Andrew’s, where hot soup awaited them.
Colin Livingstone, one of the organisers was delighted with how it went.
He said: “Once again, this Living Nativity proved very popular and is a wonderful way of involving the community in Reading.
“Around 200 people, many with children dressed as shepherds and angels, joined us along the way as we shared prayers and sang carols.
“A highlight as always, was visiting the Royal Berkshire Hospital and singing carols around the Christmas Tree. A prayer was said for the patients and the excellent work of all its many staff.”
