St Michael's Church TilehurstNativity Trail
This trail was in operation over the Christmas period (December 2020).
Are you ready to Follow the Star this Christmas?
St Michael’s and St Catherine of Siena have got together to organise a “Nativity Trail”, with scenes from the Christmas story to see in various locations across Tilehurst. We have asked people to decorate their houses with stars as well, so there’s lots to look at.
Below, you can find a map of the trail and directions, along with children’s and adults’ versions of the Nativity Story to read as you go. There are also printer-friendly documents which you can download – for printing out, or to refer to on your portable device.
Why not gather up the children or grandchildren, or simply go out for a Christmassy walk by yourself to see all the lovely creations – it’s a great start to the festive season!
Follow the Star Trail Map
Click here to open/download the map & directions (PDF file, 1 page, 276 KB).
Directions – starting from Point 1
- At St Catherine's Church, see the Angel visiting Mary.
— Turn left and down Wittenham Avenue past Birch Copse School.
— Turn right and down Warborough Avenue before turning left into Uffington Close. - View the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem at 9 Uffington Close.
— Turn around and go further down Warborough Avenue.
— Turn left onto Hilden's Drive — Carry on down Lower Elmstone Drive. - View the Innkeeper saying there's no room at the Inn (40 Lower Elmstone Drive).
— Turn back around and go up Lower Elmstone Drive.
— Turn left up Chapel Hill — At the top, turn left onto School Road. - See the birth of Jesus at Mad Hatter's Pottery Café
(pop in for a drink — 9am-5:30pm Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm Sun).
— Carry on up School Road. - The angel appears to the shepherds at Village Properties.
— Cross the road carefully, and walk up St Michael's Road (past the Prince Pub). - The Wise Men follow the star at 76 St Michael's Road.
— Continue to walk down St Michael’s Road.
— Turn left onto The Meadway, then cross the road and turn right down New Lane Hill. - Finally, the Wise Men visit Jesus at St Michael's Church.
Follow the Star – Nativity Story (for children)
Click here to open/download this story (PDF file, 1 page, 198 KB).
Scene 1: The Angel Visits Mary
When Herod was King of Judea there was a young woman living in the city of Nazareth in Galilee. Her name was Mary and she was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. One day an Angel came to Mary and told her that she was going to have a very special baby, who would be the Son of God. "I don't understand", said Mary. "How can I have a baby when I don’t even have a husband yet?" The Angel smiled. "I know it’s hard to believe, but God can do the most amazing things", he said. Mary was confused, but she agreed to do what God wanted.
Scene 2: Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem
A few months later, the Emperor sent out a command — everyone had to go to their home town to be counted and registered to pay taxes. Joseph and Mary had to travel all the way to Bethlehem, because that’s where Joseph’s ancestors were from. It took them all day, with Joseph walking and Mary, who was almost ready to have her baby, riding on a donkey.
Scene 3: No Room at the Inn
When they got to Bethlehem it was very busy. People had come from all directions, and all of them wanted somewhere to stay. Mary and Joseph knocked on lots of doors, but there
were no rooms left anywhere. Eventually a kind innkeeper took pity on them. He saw that Mary was expecting a baby very soon, and offered to let them sleep in his stable.
Scene 4: Jesus is born
Mary and Joseph settled down in the straw. They had to share the stable with the cattle and the donkey, but at least it was warm and dry! Later that night, Mary gave birth to the baby Jesus. She wrapped him in cloths and made a cosy bed for him in a manger filled with fresh hay, while the animals looked on in wonder.
Scene 5: The Shepherds and the Angels
Out in the fields nearby, shepherds were looking after their sheep. All of a sudden, the sky was flooded with dazzling light and an angel appeared. "Don't be afraid", he said. "I have
come with good news for you and all people. Today, in Bethlehem, a very special baby has been born. He is God's own Son, come to save all the world. You will find him wrapped in
strips of cloth, lying in a manger. Then the heavens opened wide and filled with angels singing praises to God. The shepherds were amazed. When the angels disappeared they
gathered up their sheep and headed off to Bethlehem as quickly as they could run. There they found Mary and Joseph, and the baby in the manger, just as the angels had said.
Scene 6: The Wise Men follow the Star
When Jesus was born, a new star appeared in the sky. Far away, some wise men saw it and knew that a great king had been born. They loaded up their camels and followed the star all the way to Jerusalem. They headed straight for King Herod's palace and asked where the new King was. Herod was furious — he was the only King around here! He decided that he would kill Jesus if he could, but he pretended to be pleased. "He isn't here," he said. "But do tell me when you find him." Then the star led the wise men all the way to Bethlehem and stood still over the stable.
Scene 7: The Wise Men visit Jesus
The wise men went inside and found Jesus with his mother. They knelt down in the straw and worshipped him. Then one by one they opened their treasures and brought out gifts of
precious gold, and frankincense and myrrh — rich spices that filled the room with their scent. Later, God sent the wise men a dream, warning them not to see the wicked Herod again, so they went home a different way.
Follow the Star – Nativity Story (for adults)
Click here to open/download this story (PDF file, 2 pages, 198 KB).