Christmas Every Week: Little Mary
Arnold Kellett's poem tells of the enduring wonder eencapsulated in the school nativity play.
Mary and Joseph, hand in hand,
In the Christmas promised land,
Stars of school Nativity Play!
Anxious teachers watch and pray,
Doting parents fondly gaze,
Audience keen to lavish praise:
Mary, proud and thrilled to be
Centre stage of history,
Mother of Jesus, coveted role,
Played with grace and self-control,
For her years she's so mature
Joseph isn't quite so sure,
Wonders what he's doing there,
With a towel round his hair,
Awkward in his stripy gown,
Wishing he could just sit down;
Like the Joseph long ago,
So much that he doesn't know,
Out, embarrassed, on a limb:
What's this got to do with him?
He's no father, that's quite clear;
Things are not what they appear
Still, theology can wait,
First he must accommodate
This uniquely pregnant lass;
Carpenter with not much brass,
Can't afford to bribe a room,
In a stable, in the gloom,
Brilliant birth - which no one shows,
Though, in these days, anything goes:
Here's the baby - Oh, how sweet!
Joseph thinks: a plastic cheat,
Never cries - and, what's so strange,
Nappies they will never change!
More realistic than the birth
Shepherds bring us down to earth,
Though all seated on the ground,
Some are restless, look around,
More intent on having a peep
At Mum and Dad, than watching sheep;
Angelic message - Oh, how blessed!
The shepherds don't seem too impressed;
Glorious tidings the heavens disclose
And a lad at the back is picking his nose!
Self-important Kings appear,
'I'm a King!' you almost hear,
Royally dressed and very keen
And haven't they slipped in a queen?
Wicked Herod, rough loud voice
Casting him, they're spoilt for choice!
Then to Bethlehem they go
Gathering round in grand tableau,
Pilgrims, as we all should be,
To the Christmas Mystery:
Some will say, 'It's just a show,
Kids don't understand, you know;
Croaky carols all off-key
But here's a lesson for you and me
Wrapped in myth and fancy dress
A clue to perfect happiness:
'Through the children,' Jesus said,
'You will to the truth be led,'
Then in their midst he set a child;
And I think he would have smiled
To see himself in modern days,
In one of these Nativity Plays,
Surrounded by these childhood charms,
Safe in little Mary's arms.
