What part did you play in your school nativity?

The beautiful nativity play is an inspiring tradition that tells the story of the birth of Jesus in a stable and how Mary, Joseph and the baby were visited by the shepherds and the three wise men.
Redby Junior School Nativity, December 1987.Redby Junior School Nativity, December 1987.
Redby Junior School Nativity, December 1987.

Another tradition is for schoolchildren to perform the play, usually in schools or local churches.

Take at look at these archived nativity pictures. Aren’t they gorgeous and do they put you in the Christmas spirit?

Redby Junior School Nativity, December 1987.Redby Junior School Nativity, December 1987.
Redby Junior School Nativity, December 1987.
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Does anybody recognise themselves as a wise man, a shepherd or perhaps even in one of the leading roles oof Mary or Joseph?

Some schools even had a real baby playing the part of Jesus, although the majority of the time it was normally a child’s doll wrapped in a blanket or towel for Mary to hold.

Rehearsals for the nativity play took up a great deal of school time - practising the Christmas carols, and with teachers and possibly parents writing the scripts.

Some of the props for the play would have been made during school time as well.

Three angels - Nativity play at St John's Methodist Church, Ashbrooke, December 1990.Three angels - Nativity play at St John's Methodist Church, Ashbrooke, December 1990.
Three angels - Nativity play at St John's Methodist Church, Ashbrooke, December 1990.
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And decisions had to be made. Who was going to play Mary or Joseph?

If you were picked, how did you go about remembering your lines. And once you did, was it alright on the night?

We want to know more. Who remembers the numerous multi-coloured striped tea-towels the shepherds wrapped around their heads, knotted with a thin piece of rope. Were you a teacher or parents who put the nativity play together.

Get in touch. Email [email protected].