The nativity play

by Goolbai Gunasekara

It is fortunate, I say to myself, that Christmas comes but once a year. Although International Schools are usually secular, Christmas is a festival that Sri Lankans celebrate regardless of their religion. At Asian International School, all the teachers –Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, and Hindus – join in putting up the Tree at the entrance to the reception area and it is decorated two weeks in advance. The lights twinkle prettily till the end of term and rehearsals for the annual Christmas Play begin.

Traditionally, it is the little Juniors of the school who make up the Cast.

I have sat through many Junior Schools’ productions of Christmas Plays in my own school as well as in others round Colombo – and even abroad. They have always managed to make me quite tearful. Students who have been the naughtiest, the untidiest, the most rambunctious are suddenly transformed into angels bending lovingly over Baby Jesus lying in a manger.

Their beauty and innocence make me catch my breath. Watching parents do the same, I don’t see seven little troublemakers. I see seven little cherubs looking absolutely adorable as the curtains part on Scene One. Likewise, the entire Cast of the Nativity Concert are angels for a night.

Parents of the Junior School are not a critical bunch. Seeing their kids on the stage is fraught with emotion. One never knows what one’s own offspring may do under the stress of the moment. Here then is a composite picture of every Nativity Play I have seen in my career as a teacher.

First on stage are the sheep milling around- 12 fur covered little ones scuttle round on all fours while a slightly taller shepherd herds them to the back of the stage. They settle down on their backsides and begin waving at their parents who are enthusiastically doing the same from their seats in the hall.” How do you know which is ours?” asks a bewildered father. – “They all look the same to me.”

“Do you think I don’t know my own child’s bottom wag,” replies an indignant mother. The father wisely shuts up.

Along comes the Star of the East… a pretty dancer guiding the three regal looking Magi. The choir sings “We Three Kings of Orient Are” just to make sure the audience gets the picture. The kings colourfully clad in their mothers’ best silks using the saris as their trains, walk majestically across the stage… It is time for the sheep to leave.

They refuse. A harassed Prefect yanks them off protesting. One King has forgotten to carry his gift for the Baby. He hitches up the covering silk robe to reveal mud stained shorts beneath and runs off to collect it.

“WHAT are you doing idiot” hisses an agitated teacher. Parents do not bat an eyelid as he returns carrying the forgotten gift and continues his regal walk to the crib.

The Kings love being on stage. They stay on as long as possible and are literally dragged off by their producer who is herself on the verge of a nervous breakdown. One King trips over his trailing Kanjipuram costume and exits on his backside.

In comes Virgin Mary (the prettiest girl in the Junior school) and Joseph (the tallest boy). An inn has miraculously materialized on stage and they want a room for the night. It so happens that the Innkeeper and Joseph are mortal enemies off stage where they have regular spats in the sand pits. It gives the Innkeeper much pleasure to say ‘No, no” to Joseph’s demand.

What do you mean No, no, no,” yells Joseph who forgets be is on stage and is not expected to carry on his personal feud. My wife is pregnant and I want a room.”

The poor producer who did not even know that her little charge knew the word ‘pregnant’ has to be revived with sips of Lanka Lime backstage while the benign Bishop and apprehensive Principal in the front row do not blink an eyelid.

The scene shifts to the Manger. The aforesaid angels are bending lovingly over the Baby. The three Kings likewise. The sheep and shepherds are artistically arranged around the stage. The spotlight focuses on the Crib and its occupant. That lovely hymn “Silent Night, Holy Night” steals round the hall. There is not a dry eye in the house.

To all those watching, whatever faith they may be, the Nativity scene finale is always an emotionally charged moment. The Innkeeper epitomizes the spirit of Christmas. Standing next to Joseph, as the Juniors bow happily to right and left, he places a burly and forgiving arm round him. They look at each other and smile. The sand pit is forgotten and the spirit of Christmas is reborn.

The producer revives miraculously as she receives the delighted congratulations of happy parents and the Principal has no difficulty in ensuring she is ready to direct the whole thing again the following year.

(Excerpted from “The ‘Principal’ Factor” first published by Lanka Market Digest)