Great Malvern Priory are encouraging people to be part of the Christmas story this year by decorating a peg person to add to the church’s nativity scene. So far 1500 peg dolls have been decorated by people visiting the Priory and it’s hoped there will be lots more before the parish nativity service on 21 December.
The inspiration for the idea came from Curate Philippa Lowe who was given a French nativity set featuring people from the village. It started her thinking about how everyone could join the Christmas story at the Priory.
Philippa said: “It’s been amazing to see how people have got behind this idea and decorated a peg doll to represent them at the nativity. We’ve got Batman, Harry Potter and the Grinch among those present, but also lots of ordinary people, there to witness Jesus’ birth and share in the wonder! People love being involved and are really thinking about Christmas as they decorate their little person.”
The whole congregation of the Priory were involved in painting the scenery and adding their peg dolls to the crowd. The nativity scene was then launched at the Christmas Light Switch on in Malvern and by the end of the day 500 people had already been added. Many people visiting the Christmas tree festival at the church have also stopped to decorate a peg person and there have been further additions thanks to local police officers, Scout troops, a nursery school as well as the vicar and his cat!
“It’s a wonderful way for people to remember what Christmas is all about and to think where they are on their journey with Jesus,” said Roger Latham, Vicar of Great Malvern Priory. “Many say that decorating the peg dolls is very meditative and it’s been amazing to see the numbers of dolls on the scene grow and grow. They’re much admired and photographed and a real talking point.”
The scene will be central to the Priory’s nativity service on 21 December. They will then remain in church throughout the Christmas period until Epiphany, when they will be blessed at a service at 3pm on 4 January. After this, people are welcome to com and collect their peg figure and take it home.
