A Star and Shepherd are Born

Having heard of nativity plays all my life, I was excited that Anna and Michael were going to have a chance to be in their own.  It is a really nice English/Christian school tradition, a recognition of the season, a sense of community and bringing together of everyone before the end of winter term.

John, Grandma, Grandpa and I went to both kids' plays.  They were both very well done, and I was so proud of both children.  Anna's was first--the story of the star that couldn't shine over the manger.  All the Year 1's were little stars who sang 7 different songs to help tell the story of the nativity and the star that finally lit on Christmas day.  I was so delighted to see Anna walk onto the stage with her class, and stand right in the middle among her classmates.  She clearly poured her heart and soul into each song complete with hand gestures, sitting, standing, walking.  After the play, she actually waved to us in the audience.  Such a sweet moment.  We also got to see Michael who came in and left with his class.

Anna's nativity play: Our little star is in the middle

Michael's nativity play was a Christingle service--about the nativity (Michael's role as a shepherd) and Christ as the light of the world.  The latter showed how different countries celebrate Christmas so a lot of children were dressed in international costumes.  Each child held an orange to symbolize the world, containing a candle (Christ as the light), fruits (to represent fruits of the earth and seasons), and a red ribbon (Christ's blood).

In the service, Michael led the shepherds out at one point during a song.  He was so poised and even earned a code of conduct for helping his friend, a fellow shepherd, get into position.  Michael sang every song very clearly and seriously, and he gracefully balanced a crook, lamb and Christingle orange while standing, sitting, and walking.  I was incredibly proud.