Thought for the Week

Christmas time always involves school nativities.

I love them and they’re a great part of Christmas.

Here is one of my favourite ever stories about a school nativity service.

This is a story I heard a long time ago, so it’s not something that happened in one of our local schools.

There was a young boy who wanted to play the part of Joseph.

He was very disappointed to be given instead the part of the innkeeper.

However, he appeared to accept his teacher’s decision and got on with his part in the play.

However, on the day of the performance, in front of a school hall packed with parents, the boy took his revenge.

When Joseph and Mary asked him if there was any room in the inn, he abandoned the script, stood back so that the door to the inn was wide open and said, ‘yes there’s plenty of room - come on in!’

That might not be the way the familiar story goes but I think the little boy’s actions have some things to say to us at Christmas time.

We all are invited to ‘come in’ to greet the holy child, born into such very humble surroundings.

All will be welcomed to the variety of different services which our churches offer at Christmas as we join together in celebrating the birth of Jesus, the One who comes to save us and bring us so much joy.

There literally is ‘room for all’ because God welcomes each and every one of us.

He does not want anyone to be turned away, because He loves each of us so much.

Karen Hamilton DCS: Deacon Cambuslang Parish Church