Children and adults alike flocked to church last weekend to a 'live manger' event, created to re-tell the Christmas story.
Emily Rippington, six, makes friends with Pollyann the donkey
More than 250 people gathered at Magdalen Road Evangelical Free Church in Magdalen Road, Oxford, on Saturday (December 14).
Church members dressed as Mary and Joseph shepherded the visitors through to a makeshift stable full of live animals including a donkey, a calf, sheep and rabbits.
A service re-telling the story of Jesus's birth was acted out by children.
Pastor Peter Comont said: "It's an event we hold every year, but we had a record turnout this year. People were queueing right through the church to see the animals."
The animals were loaned by the Island Donkey Sanctuary at Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, and Beale Park, Pangbourne.
Visitors later enjoyed carols, crafts and refreshments.
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