The bear and the inkeeper

This morning's Under-5's Nativity at Holy Trinity was a classic! As a regular attender at these events over the years I am well aware that they are more for the entertainment of the parents and grandparents than for the children themselves. However, today's was excellent and the children clearly enjoyed themselves.

We were introduced to Big Teddy, who was beside himself with wobbling excitement about the approach of Christmas - however, it seems that he didn't understand the true meaning of Christmas...mistakenly believing it to be all about presents, food and family. The children set about telling the story so that Big Teddy might be taught the true meaning of 'The God who sent Jesus as a baby to save us'.

As the story was narrated, all the usual characters were introduced to the Nativity scene, appearing from all parts of the church, until it came to the innkeeper...
'Where is the innkeeper?' said one of the leaders nervously.
'He hasn't shown up!' came the reply.
The show carried on regardless, minus the Innkeeper, and didn't seem any the worse for it.

And not surprising, really. He doesn't turn up in the Bible, either. There's an inn, visited by Mary and Joseph, and there Mary's baby is born. 

Luke 2
6 and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. 7 She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger—there was no room for them to stay in the inn.

Presumably there was an innkeeper - someone to tell the weary couple that he had no guest room but that they could squeeze into the cattle shed at the back of his inn if they liked. But he gets no speaking role in the Bible.

The children, parents and grandparents were treated to a classic Nativity play this morning, but there's nothing like reading the original Nativity accounts for yourself... It's easy to think we are already familiar with the story, through carols and nativity plays over the years, but Luke and Matthew go to great lengths and into detail to tell us of the timing and significance of the events of the first Christmas. 

You can read Luke's account here
And Matthew's here

Go on, do it! It could make all the difference to your Christmas this year!

Here is the feast that followed the Nativity this morning - fit for a (Under-5) King...