NATIVITY SCENE GOES WALKABOUT
LifeSiteNews reports that when the Thistles Centre shopping mall in Stirling, Scotland, cancelled the annual static Nativity Scene, 'Joseph, Mary and Jesus' staged a walkabout, creating a living Nativity there after news reports appeared that the shopping mall would not permit a traditional manger scene to become part of its Christmas display. The actors playing Mary and Joseph said that they wanted particularly to underscore the fact that Christmas is about Christ.
CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY
Renovation of the Church of the Nativity is lifting spirits in the Biblical town of Bethlehem ahead of Christmas. Visitors are looking at ancient mosaics and columns that have been restored to their original glory for the first time in 600 years. City officials, according to a report from Sydneyanglican.net, hope the renovation at the traditional birthplace of Jesus will boost tourism and a weak economy in the Israeli‐occupied West Bank.
POP-UP TOY STORE
World Vision has set up a pop‐up toy store in Melbourne to tell the story of toys left behind by children forced to flee their homes. In this way, World Vision is seeking to shine a light on the plight of the world's 30 million displaced children. 'The Lost Toy Store,' created by artist Emma Davies, aims to provide a point of connection between shoppers and displaced children. It is hoped that shoppers will pass on a ‘message of generosity’ to the children and their families for Christmas.
