“When my son was four … he was in the Nativity play…. the three boys came in – four-year-olds with tea towels on their heads — and they put these boxes down, and the first boy said, “I bring you gold.” And the second boy said, “I bring you myrhh.” And the third boy said, ‘Frank sent this.’ ” – Sir Ken Robinson
Over the past couple of weeks variations of the same scene have been playing out all over the world. Children have been delighting their elders with their own interpretation of the Nativity story, complete with mixed-up or forgotten lines, tiny angels and shepherds waving to loved family members in the congregation, and beautiful, familiar Christmas carols. 
Don’t you just love it? I do. What a refreshing change from the craziness of the mall and the focus on ‘getting’ and on Santa. Each year, the Nativity play is different and yet the same. And I always choke up at some moment or other as I soak up the fun, simplicity and pleasure of this wonderful Christian tradition.
Even a brief look at the Scriptures or history will convince us that much of the tradition is just that – tradition. For instance, the time of year is probably wrong, and how many wise men were there? But the eternal truth at the centre of the story is cause for great hope and joy. And so we treasure it again and again.
Enjoy Christmas with your children. Keep focused on the reason for the season. Keep thankful for what’s right and don’t worry about the things that are not right. And don’t expect too much of the actual ‘day’. It’s sure to let you down if your expectations are too high.
Let me wish you a very happy Christmas. From the bottom of my heart, my prayer is for you, mother in your family. I am praying for a blessed and happy Christmas for you.
Stephanie
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When my eldest was around 2 years old, we were looking at a nativity scene
and naming all the characters. Wise men, Joseph, angels, shepherds all rolled off the tongue easily. When it came to a rather important female in the story
he asked “Who’s that?” I replied “Mary- Jesus’ mummy” “Oh yeah” he piped up,
Mary Christmas!!!!!”
Mary Christmas to you and yours 🙂
Stephanie