Three parishes were to be amalgamated. There was great distress. Christmas was looming and a nativity play was cancelled, with no place to go.
And so it was, that for the next seventeen years, a family opened their doors to provide a venue for the play. This play was led by the people, read from scripts and acted by adults and children alike. It drew people ecumenically, Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, Muslim and particularly importantly, those with no knowledge of the Nativity story.
There was an open invitation to all. As people arrived on Christmas Eve, they were asked if they would like to play a part. A room was piled with simple costumes and participants could choose what they wanted to wear. A pile of shepherd’s tunics, walking sticks as shepherd’s crooks. Bright tunics and robes for the kings. Blues for Our Lady and earthy colours for St. Joseph. A pile of white cassocks of all sizes to serve as Angel’s gowns and tinsel to deck heads with halos.
A volunteer assisted with safety pins and guidance on suitability of outfit… The parts of Mary and Joseph were usually played by adults, as were the lead shepherds, Kings and Angel Gabriel.
With mince pies munched and all decked and ready, the scene was set. Joseph knocked loudly on the front door…. We follow him outdoors.
In the garden the shepherds then gathered. There were toy lambs, but also real sheep in a pen. Whenever possible, there was also a real live baby Jesus and then the baby’s mother, or one year his aunt, played Mary.
The story progressed with carols, torchlight and candles, towards the garden sheds where the Holy Family took refuge.
It was Christmas Eve once more! Spirits were lifted, friends reunited, and strangers welcomed.
Our Advent Calendar and further Christmas Eve Nativity Play items are posted on the Crown of Thorns Resources page. Link here
