nativity play today no jesus ????

HopeElizzy

I'm attending the school play this lunchtime - it's called the Grumpy Sheep - I'll let you know whether it's a nativity or not when I get back.:D

If the children are being taught about Christmas and doing a Christmas play I do think it ought to be a Nativity. My daughter has been taught about several different religious festivals this year and I don't see that this is any different. If they're to be taught about Christmas they need to know the nativity story - it's irrelevant whether they or us believe it. You don't need to believe in other religions or cultures to learn about them. On our kitchen wall I have pictures drawn by my daughter during Diwali stuck next to ones done in the last week of christmas.

Spendless

I've attended DS today and it was a nativity (it's not a church school). What I really liked about it, is there's about 80 kids in his year, so not everyone can have a 'role', so the story was narrated by all the other children, who each spoke a line each.

If we take all religion out of schools, how would we educate ourselves about other religions , something that I feel is important to know. My complaint isn't about knowing or participating in other religions.

dolly_day_dream

I wholeheartedly agree that we should learn about all religions. However there is very much a Christian bias within our curriculum. As a non-Christian this is noticable to me. I can see how this should be within a notionally Christian country, what I object to is the assumption that we are all Christian. About ten years ago my daughter was taken on a visit to the local church - fine -we have frequently visited cathedrals to admire the architecture - and then took part in Holy Communion:eek: Her teacher did not consider that there might be non-Christians in her class.

One small girl I taught was very upset when we were studying the Easter Story - this was from her, not her parents. Her reason - she was a refugee from former Yougoslavia, she had seen her family home burnt down and family members killed by Christians. Her brother does not wish to sing our Christmas songs and I would not dream of forcing him. His parents have not removed him from school at this time because they are keen to integrate. I can only admire their fortitude and wonder how many of us would be able to act in a similar manner?

I will always include the nativity in our Christmas Celebrations at this time of year because it is a central part of our culture. I do find it odd though that the only one prepared to take it on is the only non-Christian on the staff.:o

HopeElizzy

Well, here I am, reporting back to you all on The Grumpy Sheep.

They had a few interesting ideas to bring it up to date but it did eventually lead to Bethlehem and baby Jesus. It started off in the present day with Doctor Who appearing at the school and seeing that it was Christmas asked about it. The children sent him back to see the birth of Christ and we followed that story through the eyes of a very Grumpy Sheep. He complained about walking all the way to Bethlehem but became a happy sheep when he met Jesus. Very sweet when done by 4-7yr olds.

margaretclare

It looks lovely.

There was a supplement last week in our local paper of all the local schools' plays, concerts etc. Had to smile about the 'grumpy sheep' that didn't want to walk - one of the local primary schools here had called their play 'Are We There Yet?'

Margaret