The Magical Nativity Tableau
09/12/2011
The Magical Nativity Tableau told the traditional Christmas story through the eyes of two young children who are magically drawn into the nativity scene themselves.
Sarah, Joe and Mum are staying over at Grandad’s house on Christmas Eve, looking forward to getting their presents on the big day. The children help Mum to set out Grandad’s favourite heirloom, a wooden nativity tableau scene with little figures of all the nativity characters. Whilst Mum and Grandad sleep soundly that night, the children creep downstairs to catch a glimpse of Santa! However, they discover the little tableau scene has been magically lit up by a bright light shining in through the window. To the children’s astonishment, one by one the characters in the scene come to life before their very eyes! Firstly Mary and Joseph introduce themselves, mistaking the children for innkeepers! They are also very impressed with Joe’s pyjamas! The children suggest the stable as a resting place for Mary. Soon after, along come the shepherds, who greatly admire Joe’s slippers! They tell the children about an angel who appeared to them and told them of a special baby boy who was born that night. Then come the wise men on their camels, very majestically, who are positively jealous of Joe’s magnificent dressing gown ‘cloak’! Finally a host of angels appear and sing and dance to a beautiful song, completing the nativity tableau. After all the excitement, Sarah and Joe fall asleep, dreaming of the special events they witnessed that night. The next morning Mum and Grandad have to wake them to open their presents! However, the children are far more interested in playing with their Magical Nativity Tableau.
It was performed by all the children from Reception to Year Two, with every child in Year Two having a speaking part, or in the case of Angel Gabriel a solo to sing. The songs were belted out with great gusto and the dances performed with confidence. There was plenty of humour offered by the two children as well as the Shepherds and the Wise Men. There were also moments that tugged at the heartstrings when the Littlest Angel delivered baby Jesus and when the two Lead Angels sang a trio with one of the shepherds. Fun was had by all both during rehearsals and when performing and it certainly helped the children appreciate the true meaning of Christmas.