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On Friday I was the audience for the first dress rehearsal of 'The Shepherd Boy' our school nativity play performed by the infants. It was fantastic! During a particularly hectic week it was wonderful to be able to sit down, be still, and to have the story of Christmas told to me again by children. It is something I highly recommend during this time of preparation for Christmas. It cuts through so many things to see the sheer joy the children have in dressing up and telling the story of the first Christmas. If somebody in your family is in a nativity play try and go along, I am sure it will warm your heart.
And if you haven't got the chance to go to a nativity play this year then perhaps bring to mind one you have been to in the past: one you were in when you were at school; or your children or your grandchildren. Bring the story to mind as it is told by children and catch a glimpse of the new hope that the story of the first Christmas gives to each one of us.
An interesting topic of conversation with adults at this time of year is to ask: what part did you play in the nativity? When I was small I played the part of the second inn keeper with my blue dressing gown with ladybird buttons on and I said that there was no room at the inn. I think I would have preferred to be the third inn keeper who welcomed Joseph and Mary in. But whatever part we played in the school nativity play we are all called to play a part in retelling the story this year, 2006, and we can begin to do this by being like the third inn keeper who welcomed in the unborn baby Jesus. If we welcome Jesus more fully into our own lives then we will share that true hope and joy with those around us and what an amazing nativity play that would be with us all playing our part!
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Holy Saviour RC Church - Nelson