In the Christmas story, a long journey by Mary and Joseph is followed by Jesus' birth in a Bethlehem stable, and then an orderly succession of visitors to see the new child.
The figures in the new nativity set at Norwich Cathedral undertook a similarly lengthy trek but things did not progress quite so smoothly for all of them.
The new carved, wooden scene was bought by a group from the Cathedral on a visit to Bethlehem last January.
The pieces had to be shipped back, but, as the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham James describes overleaf, they then arrived in Norfolk in dribs and drabs.
First was Mary, followed by Joseph and the donkeys. However, there was no sign of Jesus, pictured left.
Eventually, it was discovered he had been held up at Customs. Happily he was released and completed his journey to Norwich in good time to make his festive appearance.
To find out more about Christmas events at the cathedral, visit www.cathedral.org.uk
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