The Sleepy Shepherd: A Timeless Retelling of the Christmas Story

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In August, we’ll be publishing The Shepherd Who Couldn’t Sing by Alan Barker and The Sleepy Shepherd by Stephen Cottrell, both children’s Christmas stories. Both authors have taken this well-known and beloved story and made it special for children, each in their own way. A time of busyness, anticipation and hope, the services, music and events at York Minster reflect the joy and poignancy of the Christmas story. Experience the Minster’s first Christmas Tree Festival set in the cathedral’s grounds. The new festival will take place in a festive marquee by the South Piazza and feature around 40 trees decorated by local businesses, schools and charities.

Some of the best children’s stories are retellings of stories that we all know and love. They have appeal all year round, and can be read in any season. Part of why we revisit these stories again and again – and we pass them down through generations – is that they never lose their wisdom or relevance. The Shepherd Who Couldn’t Sing is for children aged 4 to 6. It’s the story of a shepherd who is afraid to sing. He discovers his voice when he meets an angel choir. It’s an illustrated story for parents and grandparents to share with their children and grandchildren. York Minster’s Advent and Christmas highlights are set out below (for full details go to www.yorkminster.org or telephone 01904 557200). The Winter Village at York Minster brings the best of both location and local produce to this brand new event. Situated at the foot of the majestic South Door of York Minster, The Winter Village comprises several decorative wooden cabins offering food, drinks, gifts and the perfect place to sit and admire the view. The Winter Village, which is being run in partnership with CMJ Events, will be open daily from 10am to 7pm. Entry is free. Busy, Busy Bethlehem includes seven memorable songs and a charming narrative that will really bring the Christmas story to life for young children.Make it a Christmas to remember with a special screening of this family favourite accompanied by a live orchestra.

This collection of productions covers a variety of age ranges, hence different primary school age groups and early years pupils are all catered for.Archbishop Stephen said, "It is a great joy to invite children, parents and carers to come and listen to a Christmas story together. I have always loved the act of sitting down with my children, and now my grandson, and have thoroughly enjoyed the wide-eyed extravagant wonder of a tall tale."

Busy, Busy Bethlehem is a simple and effective nursery nativity play written by Niki Davies. It tells the Christmas story from a new perspective – that of a busy Bethlehem soldier.Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, will be in the children’s Christmas Activity tent in York Minster’s South Piazza from 10.45am on Saturday 4 December, to give a reading from his children’s book, The Sleepy Shepherd. There will also be the opportunity to buy a copy of the book and have it signed by the Archbishop. Flexibility to create an expandable library of Words on Screen™ song collections, nativities and musicals in your Out of the Ark online account