School nativity plays. Would you...?

[Rum]

Most primary (pre 11 years here in the UK) put some sort of play on at this time of year. We call them 'nativity plays' here and they re-enact the birth of our Lord and Saviour. Oh yes!

How do or would you feel about your kids (real, imagined or hoped for in the future) being in a nativity play? Would you object? If so how would you register your objection?

I assume this does not apply to most 'public' schools in the USA given the theoretical separation of Church and State etc.. Maybe not though.

[Millefleur]

Mine don't do a nativity, they have a 'Winter Show' with autumn/winter themed songs. It was great last year actually, everyone down to the 2 yr olds were able to get involved including my very shy 5 yr old and the older children performed alongside one of the parents playing a Cello. Chaotic, sweet and not a hint of baby Jebus

[HomerJay]

The play itself is only a small part of the 'Christmas curriculum' that kids are taught at that time of year, it would seem a bit churlish to object solely to the play, unless you have religious objections to music and impersonation?

[Thinking Aloud]

Mine do them every year.

[M]

I have been to all my kids nativity shows or other xmas shows. If they were given parts in plays based on tolkein works I'd go to them too. I'd also go and see them in any hollywood blockbuster. Make believe is make believe. Me supporting my kids is more important than me making a stance against anything. Put my principles above my children? Not fucking likely.

[maiforpeace]

I assume this does not apply to most 'public' schools in the USA given the theoretical separation of Church and State etc.. Maybe not though.

I think in more liberal areas they are more mindful of being all inclusive and don't do nativity plays anymore, but there will be at least 2 or 3 reports of controversy over this for the upcoming holidays, mostly in the Bible Belt. I have an atheist friend in Alabama who, along with the parents of a Jewish child objected to the religiosity of the nativity play and asked if they could do something more seasonal and inclusive. The school's solution was to isolate those two children in study hall while all the other kids joined in the holiday festivities and the nativity play. It's was pretty traumatic and hurtful for the children and the parents.

Of all the fun things that they could come up with for a holiday play, all they can come up with is the same old tired nativity scene?

Mine don't do a nativity, they have a 'Winter Show' with autumn/winter themed songs. It was great last year actually, everyone down to the 2 yr olds were able to get involved including my very shy 5 yr old and the older children performed alongside one of the parents playing a Cello. Chaotic, sweet and not a hint of baby Jebus

That sounds great, and cute! is what they should be doing.

[hadespussercats]

We did winter-themed plays at school around Xmas-- with Jack frost and snowflakes. There might have been a Santa and some caroling involved. But I still love Xmas carols, so that wouldn't really pose a problem for me. I guess my take on it is that little kids are very good at playing pretend. If they wanted to be in a Nativity Play, or, Thor forbid, were required to be in one, I would let them (unless they themselves didn't want to do it)-- but I'd make sure they understood that they were playing pretend, even if some of their friends or teachers thought they were telling a true story. Nothing wrong with a little drama, says this theatre practitioner.

[Clinton Huxley]

I wouldn't stress about it. I was in plenty nativity plays and it clearly made absolutely no damned difference.

[Santa_Claus]

I'd tell the kids it was make beleive.

Unlike Santa.

[Bella Fortuna]

I was in one at age 5 when I went to Baptist school.

[beige]

I was the angel Gabriel.

All the other kids had stupid little fairy wings from a costume shop, I cut mine out of removal boxes and covered them in tinfoil.

I was a imposing and terrifying, just like angels should be.

[floppit]

Of course i'd let her do it - even make the costume! If her school's doing a play i'm not going to split her from her mates, not unless I WANTED her to want religion.

I wonder if her playgroup will do one? I sort of hope so, those naff plays are a right of passage, it wouldn't be the same if it was a sensible show without the plastic Jesus getting some serious abuse!

[charlou]

One year during the children's (secular) school's end of year family get together, one of the older classes put on a nativity performance that was a deliciously irreverent and subversive parody. I fell in love with the teacher involved that day.

[JimC]

I was a shepherd in mine, and it was OK, it didn't affect me like poor Pappa...

The alpha male and alpha female of the class always get to be Joseph and Mary, of course...

[lordpasternack]

I'm reminded by the time in nursery when my nephew was playing a part in the nativity play. He only had one line to say - something to do with sheep, I think... On the day, he just walked onto the stage on his cue, and burst out crying. My brother said that was the day his acting career began and ended.