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Yesterday I saw our primary school nativity play in the afternoon and then called back in the evening to catch the highlights! Having seen the play once, in the evening I spent more time watching the audience and it was fascinating. There was a wonderful mixture of pride and emotion (as well as a lot of mouthing of words that the poor parents had had to listen to again and again). There was also a look in some eyes of regret: a wish almost to be able to recapture something of the innocence and straightforward nature of the telling of the story of the nativity through the mouths of small children (putting to one side the fact that the world of a small child is often very complex to them and it is the grown ups who have it easy - partly because they can do what they want). But there is something about watching an infant nativity play that can touch into us in a way that is not nostalgia but rather recognition of lost innocence that cannot be recaptured.
And yet the irony is that this is precisely what happens and exactly what is made available to us in what the children celebrate in tea towels and dressing gowns (or more likely in very smart outfits now available in shops) but what we must make sure that we still celebrate this Christmas. John 3:16 says 'For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son to save us' and the great prayer of the Exultet proclaimed at the Easter Vigil tells us of lost innocence restored. This is what is offered to us in the birth of the Christ child Jesus (whose name literally means God saves) Emmanuel (God with us).
What a wonderful way to look at the world with new joy and enthusiasm because all is not lost no matter what has happened in our lives, no matter where we have been or what we have done. All is reconciled in the birth of Christ and no one is beyond God's love and forgiveness and the new life that this brings. So we shouldn't be nostalgic when we think of a children's nativity play but instead what continuing part we can play in telling the story of God's love for us. As an angel (literally a messenger) announcing the peace of Christ on earth calling for justice amongst all; as a shepherd recognising the importance of who Christ is and allowing that meeting to transform our lives; as the inn keeper who welcomes Mary and Joseph, welcoming Christ into our lives; as Mary making our lives one 'yes' to God; as Joseph being prepared to trust God and allow His plan to unfold for us in His own good time; as one of the wise men searching for God each day of our lives and when we find Him worshipping Him. As you, a disciple of Christ recognising God's love for you and sharing that love with those around you so that people look at you and see that nothing is impossible for God. May God bless you at this sacred time with a very joyful, holy Christmas and a peaceful New Year!
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Holy Saviour RC Church - Nelson