DOWN Parish Church opened the doors to its annual Christmas crib festival yesterday morning.
The event — now in its third year — features a wide and varied display of nativity scenes created by a number of organisations including churches, charities, schools and groups.
The festival at the Downpatrick church is open daily between 10am and 8.30pm until Friday and there will also be an opportunity to view the displays this Saturday between 10am and 4.30pm.
Many people took the time during the busy festive period last year to into the church to marvel at the displays and have a cup of tea or coffee and a chat and organisers have issued an open invitation to people to call in this year.
Organisers are also hoping that representatives from local businesses will take time to view the displays made by representatives from the Fountain Foodbank, Downpatrick Primary School, Downpatrick Nursery School, Downpatrick Women’s Institute, Down Parish Church, Youth Initiatives, Downpatrick Girls’ Brigade and Clough’s Cumran Primary School.
The Pepper Johns Ladies Group which meets every Wednesday morning in Downpatrick has made a special piece of artwork for the festival.
Down Parish Church minister, the Rev Captain Scott McDonald, says he has been delighted with the response to the innovative festival since its launch and is hoping that the event will prove equally popular this year.
He said that it has been “wonderful” over the past few years to witness the creative talents of all those who took the time to come up with a wide range of designs.
Describing many of the creations as “original and thought provoking” Mr McDonald is grateful to all those who continue to support the event, either by making their own cribs or visiting the church to view those on display.
Mr McDonald continued: “This will be our third festival and we have been fortunate to have had the support of so many people over the past two years.
“The various displays have been made by a variety of groups asked to design a crib which reflects the Christmas story and also elements of their work, looking at Christmas through a fresh pair of eyes.”
Mr McDonald said the festival is designed to draw people in from their busy schedule at this time of the year to have a look at the various displays and take time to reflect on the message of Christmas.
Mrs Alison Carson — who is also heavily involved in the project — said there are a number of festivals at this time of year, with some churches across the district focusing on Christmas tree displays.
She added: “The crib festival provides an opportunity for a wide range of groups to get involved and do something a little different at this special time of year which, for many, represents a period of reflection.”