JESUS is back at the heart of Dundee’s festive lights celebrations tonight.
Says a spokesperson: “A 45-minute nativity drama, with live donkeys, sheep and a baby playing Jesus, with the cast made up from the city’s churches will take place in City Square tonight at 7pm.
“There will also be a Christmas message from Roman Catholic Bishop, Vincent Logan.
“It comes a year after concerns were raised that Dundee City Council wanted to remove the traditional Christmas message from their annual lights switch-on.”
Reverend Allan Webster, chaplain to Dundee City Council on behalf of Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland, said: “As many as 15,000 people crowd into the city centre each year for the Christmas Lights countdown, and at the heart of the event the real meaning of Christmas is being presented in word and music.”
“There is a cast of 60, and the music is wonderful, with an African rhythm, and I defy anyone to keep still during the final number which is a real show-stopper.
“Last year’s decision was disappointing, but it was really an oversight, not a conspiracy.
“There was a public outcry from the churches and many other folk in Dundee, and it was good to have the support of the Muslim community as well.
“On behalf of the inter-church steering group, I’d like to express my sincere thanks to the staff of Dundee City Council who have been unstinting in their support and cooperation.”
This year’s Dundee Nativity is ‘theatre in the round’ with a difference: each scene takes place in a different location around City Square, the cast members progressing from one location to the next.
Members of the cast, including the narrator, have radio microphones, and a spotlight will focus on each scene in turn.
The audience will be invited to join in singing Christmas carols, and carol sheets will be distributed to the crowd by the Street Chaplains organisation.
Ends.
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Contact: Gordon Bell
Phone: 0131 240 2204
Email: gbell@cofscotland.org.uk
Website: http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk
