In 2025 there aren’t too many approaches to the Nativity story that haven’t been tried before, but this year’s take from St Nicholas church in Bradwell has clearly captured the community’s attention.
A sell-out event which will be attended by well over 100 people of all ages, some of whom are regulars at church and others who only visit during the festive season, will feature a live floral retelling of the Nativity with music, lights and audience participation.
Preparations have been ramped up in the last couple of weeks as the team ready themselves for a full house on Thursday 4 December, with the handcrafting of dozens of costumes and hundreds of decorations having been in train throughout 2025.
Looking ahead to the service, Revd Steve Deall, Rector of St Nicholas, Bradwell, said:
“This year’s Nativity is a true community effort — people of all ages and backgrounds coming together to plan and serve. It has been just wonderful to see members of St Nicholas generously giving up their time, talents and even possessions to support the production.
“Every detail has been arranged to complement the wider programme of Advent and Christmas events across the town, adding to a season of prayerful reflection, carols and family-friendly activities rather than competing with them.
“The event has been in planning for nearly 12 months, and volunteers have been meeting regularly to coordinate casting, costumes, set design, music and hospitality.”
The congregation at St Nicholas has more than doubled since Revd Steve Deall and his wife Sara first arrived in the parish five years ago, with the establishment of numerous groups and clubs having helped to reaffirm the church as a pillar of the local community.
Tim Sweeting, Diocesan Secretary for the Diocese of Norwich, went to Bradwell to see firsthand the work being undertaken. He said:
“It has been so inspirational to meet the team at Bradwell and see the hive of activity behind the scenes, in readiness not only for their Nativity but also all the wide range of services and community events they have planned for Advent.
“What Steve and Sara have achieved since arriving in the Diocese cannot be overstated, and the uplifting atmosphere here in the church while the team decorate is testament to the culture that has been created.
“The beautiful decorations handcrafted by Julia Knights and other members of the church could not be more fitting as the Church of England nationally welcomes everyone in to share the joy of Advent and Christmas.”
Nobody embodies the culture at St Nicholas quite like Julia Knights, a member of the church whose award-winning work as a florist has taken her across the globe.
Julia leads a group of volunteers in all things artistic, centred on a monthly Creative Circle meeting started by Sara Deall. This dedicated band of innovative locals are currently working tirelessly to transform St Nicholas for the festive season.
Aside from stunning, bespoke floral arrangements which tell the nativity story, Julia and the team have crafted a plethora of costumes for attendees to wear during the service – most of which have been created from unwanted curtains!
Reflecting on the months of preparation for this year’s Nativity, Julia said:
“I don’t even want to think about how much time has gone into preparing all these things! What I do know is that none of it would have been possible without the group of people we have here.
“Everyone has played their part. When people have said ‘I can’t sew costumes or decorations’ I have told them it’s no problem, they can definitely stuff them!”
“It will be wonderful to see everyone on Thursday. We are all really excited to share our version of the greatest story ever told.”
Not only has the Nativity service sold all its available tickets, arrangements have been made to maximise accessibility – including the attendance of a British Sign Language interpreter to ensure all visitors with hearing difficulties can fully enjoy the performance.
Details of other events scheduled at St Nicholas, Bradwell, this festive season can be found on the church’s Facebook page.