What has happened to traditional Nativity Plays?

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AlaninCarlisle

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What has happened to traditional Nativity Plays?
« on: December 13, 2018, 16:53 »
My grand-kids all attend C of E primary schools and they all have so-called Nativity plays. I was staggered yesterday when I attended the 7 year-old grandson's one. It was a rambling affair called The Greatest Snowman using music from The Greatest Showman. Not a Mary, baby Jesus, shepherd, wise-man, King or donkey in sight and mindless shouting instead of carols.

My grand-daughter's one today in a little country church was more traditional, but again no recognisable carols.

Any other parents or grandparents discovered this?

Personally, hearing those flat rural Cumbrian vowel-sounds telling us that Jeeesus was born in a baaaarn had become part of my Christmas enjoyment

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mumofstig

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Re: What has happened to traditional Nativity Plays?
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2018, 20:11 »
It's a shame but seems they no longer fit into our modern multicultural society.
Just don't get me started, or I'll get banned   ::)


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Fairy Plotmother

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Re: What has happened to traditional Nativity Plays?
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2018, 20:41 »
I think a lot of people have forgotten what Christmas is. Even more shocking when it seems unimportant in a church school.

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Plot 1 Problems

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Re: What has happened to traditional Nativity Plays?
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2018, 21:41 »
Mercifully my nipper's school sticks to it's CofE naming and does a pretty decent natvity, even of some of the songs are delivered calypso style ;)

I really hate the erosion of religious festival meanings and I'm an agnostic.

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Elaine G

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Re: What has happened to traditional Nativity Plays?
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2018, 23:56 »
Have been to 2 school productions this week. Loved them both.
4 yr old grandson was in a more traditional nativity, much enthusiastic singing but not the traditional carols from my day!
5 yr old (same school) was in a play about Rudolph. Again much singing, and I was impressed that they were all signing too.
I can appreciate that they have to embrace all cultures, and also, as all the productions are seen by the whole school, that they don't want to sit through 4 nativity plays.
Its not a C of E school and not all the children are christian, but they do seem to have been taught the Christmas story.

Elaine
The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet - James Oppenheim

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sunshineband

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Re: What has happened to traditional Nativity Plays?
« Reply #5 on: December 14, 2018, 09:20 »
Our grandchildren go to two different schools, and both do versions of the nativity story every year, involving Baby Jesus, his parents and a range of various visitors who eventually make their way to the stable. Songs are well sung (no bawling) and the whole thing is always delightful  and very clearly about the true meaning nd message of Christmas

Carol services at both schools too ... only one of them is a church school

So hope is out there  :D :D :D
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Goosegirl

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Re: What has happened to traditional Nativity Plays?
« Reply #6 on: December 14, 2018, 16:14 »
My 5 year old niece's daughter's school put on a Nativity play and only had a week to rehearse it. They had one set of children inside who started the story off, then everyone went outside to another place where other children continued the tale etc, then it all ended in their gardening hut which had been transformed into a stable. I have to put my foot firmly down here because this is a traditional thing handed down from generation to generation. I don't mind modern versions but there is a limit.
I work very hard so don't expect me to think as well.

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andreadon

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Re: What has happened to traditional Nativity Plays?
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2018, 22:10 »
Mine goes to a Catholic school so it's all about Jesus!

Even though Jesus wasn't actually born in a  stable.
He was born in a house, definitely among family, not in the guest rooms, but yes laid in a manger, being right next to the kitchen



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