School nativity plays can include all sorts of characters that were not at Jesus’ birth but, says Ruth Evans, we should still engage positively with the versions our children find themselves in
“Karen: So what’s this big news, then?
Daisy: [excited] We’ve been given our parts in the nativity play. And I’m the lobster.
Karen: The lobster?
Daisy: Yeah!
Karen: In the nativity play?
Daisy: [beaming] Yeah, *first* lobster.
Karen: There was more than one lobster present at the birth of Jesus?
Daisy: Duh.”
I love this scene from the film Love Actually; daughter thrilled about her part in the Nativity play, mum considerably confused about said part but also doesn’t destroy her daughter’s joy in the moment, just clarifies the situation!
I wonder if you, like Karen in the film, have found yourself contemplating the legitimacy of your child’s character in their school Nativity play? We expect the usuals; Mary, Joseph, some angels, shepherds and wise men, maybe a King Herod and probably an inn-keeper or three. Throw in some animals of course; sheep, probably a donkey and some cows. But then what about mice (I mean, they probably lived in a barn, okay, we’ll let them stay), penguins (in Bethlehem?! Really?), a spaceman, aliens, Santa himself, Bruce Forsyth… the list can go on, it feels like no-one is out of bounds for a starring role.
Our role, as Christian parents, is not to berate the school for not being perfectly faithful/historically accurate, but to encourage and celebrate where we do see Christ in the Christmas!
For many and varied reasons school Nativity plays might add characters. It might be the sheer number of children in the class, wanting to include those who hold different beliefs, including children with a special interest, or it may simply be that the teacher that year decided to try a nativity that is ‘a bit different’ or has ‘more modern appeal’.
Surely that’s okay? We are talking about a 2000-year-old story, we can take some liberties can’t we? It can be tricky to reconcile sometimes, but we have to see the big picture. We get to help our little people to see Christ in Christmas, and to show them that this story, the one we know to be life-changing, is important enough that it is celebrated worldwide, and that includes in their school. Nevertheless we’re right to expect some form of re-telling of the Bible story within it, despite the possible added characters.
When your child comes home and tells you their part, be excited with them
Teachers will be doing their best to corral whole classes of children to do this in a way that includes all, is fun, and will allow families and carers to come and see their children. Our role, as Christian parents, is not to berate the school for not being perfectly faithful/historically accurate, but to encourage and celebrate where we do see Christ in the Christmas!
When your child comes home and tells you their part, be excited with them. Encourage them to share with you how or when they get to see Jesus. Ask them who their friends are playing; would they be able to tell the Christmas story with only one or two of the characters? No! There are lots of people in the Bible account too. When they start practicing the songs (over, and over, and over!) listen to the words. What part of the story is that song telling? Find your child’s favourite Bible story book and see if you can add the songs in to the relevant part as you read the Christmas story together.
help them to see for themselves the biblical story, even if it is hidden amongst the glitz and the glam!
Maybe your child is, themselves, confused about how the story they learn at home and at church seems different to the one they are acting at school (‘Why don’t we have lobster at church?’). This is when we get to ask them questions – draw out from our children the other characters involved, help them to see for themselves the biblical story, even if it is hidden amongst the glitz and the glam!
Read more:
10 Christmas tips for Christian parents on a budget
How Christian parents can help young people navigate Christmas stress
Christmas traditions are great but don’t let them bankrupt you
Christmas present ideas for children in Christian families
As adults we might have a favourite person in the Christmas story, or a favourite verse from the Bible. When our children are excited about the Nativity, we can use those moments to join in their excitement: ‘I love that bit! Did you know, my favourite bit in the Bible about it is…’ Or maybe we encourage our children to realise for themselves what the whole story is about, what is it building up to? The climax of every nativity play is when the characters meet/see Jesus. The alien stops and ponders, the mice are thrilled, the dancers stop their dancing, all to wonder at the (slightly strange) arrival of this new baby.
THIS is what we want to thrill the hearts of our own little people. That the baby in the nativity is God come to earth! That it really is incredible enough to make everything and everyone stop and wonder. That really is something wonderful to celebrate!
