Beach Hut 10

Tonight was another installment in our series on angels as we try to get close to the multitudes that are described in the Christmas stories in the Bible.

Rosie and her family put together a very stylish hut focussing on the wings of the angel Gabriel, suspended as if by magic in a dark sky. This was very much in contrast to this evening's night sky which was brightly lit by a full moon and was the clearest and calmest evening we've had so far.

The wings hung in the air and slowly turned, glinting in the light and moving from black silhouette to golden shine with every revolution.

The hut itself was coated in gold and above the doors was a verse from Hebrews chapter 13 verse 2 - Do not forget to show kindness and hospitality to strangers, for some have done so and welcomed angels without knowing it.

There were some angels going round in the crowd as well, offering people chocolate coins to go with their mince pies and mulled wine. In the Christmas story angels appear as magical beings singing to the shepherds on the hills or announcing news to Mary or Joseph, but more often than not in the Bible they appear as ordinary people, unrecognised by some but visible to those with faith as messengers of God.

Next hut is 168 and will feature poetry readings especially written for the night.

Beach Hut 9

Hut 395 reminded us of the Las Posadas theme that started us on our journey to Bethlehem with an enormous Mexican styled angel which completely filled the hut.

The space was so filled with angel that the light decorations had to spill out beyond the hut onto the floor in front and be suspended from a jib attached to the roof that jutted out giving a festive light display of colourful lanterns.


The floor was a sea of poinsettias placed on a bright stripy Mexican style rug and reminding us of our first night when St. Christopher's school taught us the story of the miracle of how these plants came to be associated with Christmas.


We even had a Mexican guest on hand, complete with sombrero and moustache and alongside the usual mulled wine and mince pies we were served empanadas in a variety of flavours.


Star shaped pinatas around the head of the angel and the words Angelos Cantado Estan (the angels sing) helped us to realise that every culture has their understanding of angels and God which don't necessarily centre around pure white and gold starlight as they do here in the UK.


As is always true every night, it was the children who gazed on the scene with awe and amazement who directed our thoughts to the wonder and beauty of a God who came to earth as a child on that first Christmas day.

Next up is hut 402 which is going to focus on a particular angel.