Knitted Nativity figures tour London’s holy stations to spread Christmas story

Knitted Nativity figures are offering commuters “signs of the Christmas story” this month as they tour some of the London rail network’s most holy stations.

The touring miniature figures – which include Mary, Joseph and a donkey – have already visited Angel, Marylebone and Gospel Oak as they spread the Christmas message on behalf of Father Chrichton Limbert, 67, and his 62-year-old wife Judith.

The figures have been touring nationally and internationally since Fr Limbert bought them on eBay shortly after he became the vicar of Christ Church, Southgate, in 2015.

Until the Covid-19 pandemic struck, the knitted creations would move between parishioners’ houses across Advent – the four-week period before Christmas in which Christians anticipate and prepare for the birth of Jesus.

Lockdown restrictions, including limiting the numbers attending church services, inspired the duo to think of a creative way to spread the Nativity story far and wide – which led to them photographing the figures around the parish in 2020.

As the project was so well-received, it continued post-pandemic, with the miniature figures going international and exploring Rome in 2023.

This year, from December 1 to 24, social media users will be able to see the various London Underground and Overground stations the knitted characters have visited.

“We started with Gospel Oak because we had a Gospel story to tell,” Mrs Limbert, who is more commonly known by parishioners as Mrs Vicarage, told the PA news agency.

“We took a photo of Mary and Joseph at Marylebone because Mary was the one for Joseph because they were engaged.

“It’s a bit of light-hearted fun and a way to find signs of the Christmas story and tell it in a different way.”

Other stations the figures have been to this month include Angel, where the angel Gabriel met Mary, and Carpenders Park to pay homage to Joseph’s job as a carpenter.

Mrs Limbert, who lives with her husband in Southgate, London, said the couple have tried to pick stations containing biblical references – which has been tricky, with one recent effort including Willesden Green, when they posted the caption: “What a green and pleasant land we are journeying across.”

The duo spent two Wednesdays in November taking photos of the figures at the various stations and have been sharing them on the church’s website, Instagram, Facebook and X accounts this month.

Other important figures in the Nativity story including the Three Wise Men and shepherds are expected to make an appearance in posts over the course of Advent.

The pair said they have been met with curious looks and questions about the travelling Nativity figures.

“Most people genuinely recognised what we were doing,” Fr Limbert told PA.

“They probably quietly thought we were a bit mad but they really wanted to know where they could see the pictures.”

Hundreds of people across various social media platforms have viewed and engaged with posts about the creative Nativity idea.

Mrs Limbert said it has been the “greatest gift” to see the Nativity story stand the test of time and garner such a “lovely” response.

Fr Limbert said: “Everybody has an affinity for two young people in difficult circumstances starting a family – and these people are special and their child is special.

“That story is being replayed throughout the world and has been for 2,000 years.

“It’s wonderful that with social media we can share the Nativity story and hopefully ensure it carries on being a universal story.”