Comments on: Nativity plays, costumes and Santa

By: ann

ann — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:41:26 +0000

My ex husband was a socialist and strongly anti-religion. He was very critical of the United States re: religion. He grew up in Northern England and I reminded him that in his country Nativity plays were still performed in state schools. I’m not sure if prayers are still part of the morning assembly. During his time, (1960s and 70s) prayer was still part of his school day. My question– are prayers still part of the school day in England? I’m just curious. I don’t have a problem with religion in the classroom, as long as all religions are included…

By: Corinne at Directory Of Costa Mesa

Corinne at Directory Of Costa Mesa — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:12:42 +0000

MY kids had all their schooling in this country so I missed out on the UK Nativity Play. What springs to mind regarding our countries’ differences in approach to the celebration of Christmas was a trip to one of the more ‘popular’ churches on Christmas Eve with my ‘mother in law’. At one point dancers came up on the stage (in a church?) and performed a sort of ‘can can’ disco dance. I looked at Maisie who is a regular church goer in England and she had turned beetroot as had I! It seemed so inappropriate that we were speechless.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:43:59 +0000

I was originally shocked when I learned that Nativity plays were performed at public schools in the UK, because that’s just so controversial and alien to us here in the US. (For example, there was a huge brough-ha-ha over our US “Pledge of Allegience” that we used to say every day in school because it had the words “One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”) Having said that, imagining sharks, caterpillers, and parrots — along the lines of “Love, Actually’s” lobsters — it sounds adorable to watch.

By: Yank

Yank — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:02:48 +0000

Tea-towel shepherds and tin-foil angels were a staple of my early Christmases too. Have you been able to find a good ol’ English pantomime in the US – I never could.

(Had to chuckle at the above comment suggesting the UK is Jesus-centric.)

By: NFAH

NFAH — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:59:08 +0000

Funny it’s exactly the opposite when you grow up in America and then move to England, it’s “How can they be so Jesus-centric in this country?” I find it really challenging and uncomfortable to live without separation of church and state!

By: nappyvalleygirl

nappyvalleygirl — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:58:47 +0000

I haven’t had to do this yet, but I know I’m going to be useless -I can’t sew to save my life….We’re going to see Santa lighting the local Christmas tree this weekend, wonder if he will arrive by 4×4?

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:28:59 +0000

My first grade daughter will be participating in her first nativity play this year. They’re making all the first graders be angels – which is not typecasting if you know this group. Personally, I felt that auditions were in order. But I was told I’m “missing the point.” I’m delighted that the costume issue is being handled by the church. Especially after last week’s Thanksgiving Pageant fiasco where we made the huge mistake of not purchasing some sort of Amish-type of footwear and allowing my daughter (Pilgram #1) to wear her pink converse on stage. Honestly? I guess I keep “missing the point.” But if this keeps up I’m going to find a sharp stick and someone else is going to “get the point.”

By: Mwa

Mwa — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:31:44 +0000

I’m so glad I haven’t had to do a costume yet! My son has come home requesting a black T-shirt, but that is all. Phew!

A helicopter sure is different.

By: Alex Sage

Alex Sage — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:32:37 +0000

Well this year we have no School Nativity because a new school is being built and it is not yet ready. When this announcement was made, we, the parents made a collective sigh of relief! However Eleanor has already made me buy an angel costume ready for next year, because all girls generally end up as angels with as much silver tinsel on their costumes as possible!