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NATIVITY PLAY: HOW THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE CAME TO JERSEY

This play was written by Tony Bellows, and performed at St Aubin on the Hill Church at Christmas, 1985, with the help of the curate, the Reverend Bob Booth, who designed the "cow" and "fish" masks for the children to wear. For the complete cast, click here.
 
The Narrator, Centurion, Farmer and Fisherman were played by adults; the children (suitably costumed or masked) played the parts of soldiers, Jersey cows, and fish.
 
The Roman presence in Jersey is not documented - this is a fiction, unlike the Grouville Church play, which is well-grounded in history.
 
The idea was to provide a Nativity play with a difference from the standard story, which still encapsulated the Christmas message.

Song; 0 Come all ye faithful

(1st verse only)

Narrator

(enters pulpit with large book )

Welcome! I imagine that most of you know the Christmas story. But I suspect that you don't know how the Christian, message came to Jersey, on the night when Jesus was born, so long ago.

What was Jersey like at that time. Well, the people lived off the land; it was a rural place, with many farmers, looking after fields of broccoli, and getting milk from Jersey cows.

(sound of mooing, offstage )

On the coast, there would have been fishermen, mending their nets at night, setting sail at. day. But we are also under Roman rule. Jersey is part of the Roman Empire. Around 50 B.C., the Gaulish chieftain was defeated by Caesar. And in the next fifty years, a garrison of soldiers came here. Look, here they come now!

(sound of marching, as Roman officer marches his men up the main aisle; they line up in area by curate's desk. )

Centurion

Men! At ease!

(moves to small lectern, where he can read lines)

Narrator

Centurion Maximus, I understand you were present in Jersey when Jesus was born. Tell us what happened on that night...

Centurion

Well, sir, I'm commanding officer, 10th legion, Roman Army. I was stationed here in Jersey - offshore posting with perks. On the night in question, I was out on routine manoeuvres with my troops - as you can see, a well disciplined body of men.

Soldiers

Yes, Sir!

(salute while replying )

Centurion

I noticed that it seemed to be getting brighter. Thought there might be a storm blowin' up. Said to my men, "I say chaps, it looks like thunder."

Soldiers

Yes. Sir!

(salute )

Centurion

All of a sudden, the sky filled with light, blazing like a beacon. Do you see that, men. I asked?

Soldiers

Yes. Sir!

(salute )

Centurion

Then, by Jupiter, the sky was full of sound. A glorious clash of symbols, like a mighty army. Then we heard voices, voices like trumpets!

Song; Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Centurion

I like to think that I’m a tough man - veteran of the siege of Alesia and all that. I've no time for temples and priests. But I must admit - I've come to wonder if there is a God greater than the gods of Rome. And, you know, I'd like to be in his army!

(bows, and leaves with troops following (we hear a soft, "dexter, dexter, sinister, dexter" )

Narrator

But the Romans were outsiders. What would a local Jersey-man think? There were farmers, even in those times, in St. Ouen. Like today, they were good folk, but not too bright. But one of them - a Monsieur de la Haye, has managed to find his way here today. Here he comes! And I see he's brought his cows with him!

Welcome, Monsieur Jean de la Haye. Can you tell us what happened on the night when Christ was born...

(enter farmer with "cows" [e.g. children wearing cow masks, making mooing sound])

Farmer

Ah, well. It was late evening, see, and I was out in the fields bringing in my cows, because it was a cold night. All of a sudden there was a flash of light, and I thought - there's a storm coming up, and it's going to upset my cattle.

(cows moo )

It's a hard life as a farmer, and that's the truth.

But no, I didn't hear raining, but singing. Well could I believe my ears? I thought - what are those Labeys up to now? Some mischief, I'll be bound. You can't trust farmers in the East of the Island.

(cows moo )

But then the sky opened up before my very eyes, like a jacket potato cut in half, and I saw something wonderful.

(cows moo )

Song; While Shepherd Watched their Flocks

Farmer

I may be only a farmer, and some folk think me simple. Well, that's as maybe. But I was touched by that sight. And we farmers are thick-skinned, not easily moved. But I was.

Isn't that true, my beauties?

(cows moo )

Song; Angels from the Realms

(1st 2 verses only)

Narrator

Long before men came to settle and farm the land, fishermen settled on the island's coast. One old fisherman who still keeps up the old traditions is Pierre Le Brocq.

He is often out with his nets, fishing in the wild weather off Jersey's shore.

Pierre, please tell us what you remember about that night.

(enter fisherman, with gum boots, pipe (unlit!) and nets/ shrimping net )

Fisherman

Well, my son, I was out fishing around the Minquies that day, and I was coming back to Jersey just as dusk fell upon the waters.

It was going to be a calm night, and I stopped for a while, listening to the sea as it gently lapped against the boat.

Then I saw something in the waters close to my boat. A sudden movement that caught my eye. And then I saw that it was fish, and they were dancing, yes, dancing beneath the waves.

(children slap hands together to make wave noise)

Melody: (fish dance follows)

Fisherman

A great sense of peace came over me as the dance ended. The sea was quiet, so still. And then the night sky lit up, and, far off, I could hear many voices, singing, singing...

Song; Still the Night

(verses I & 3 only)

(suggest 4 in fish dance, perhaps to tune of "Silent Night" - slow lyrical dance)

Fisherman

Old men like us will often say that the sea is full of many mysteries. But there is none greater to me than that night, when a great light shone over the still waters.

The light moved on, and I followed it, and so I came safely into harbour at the break of the new day.

(fisherman moves off. )

Song; The World was in Darkness

(all verses )

Narrator

In those days, Jersey was just a small spec somewhere off Gaul; an island that nobody noticed. But such a place is not forgotten nor forsaken by God.

(lights taper)

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but he was born for the whole world, even a remote little island.

He was born long ago, but he can be born anew in each of us today.

However cold and desolate the world may seem today, do not forget the message of Christmas. It is still a message of peace, of joy and hope - all the shining gifts of the Christ child.

(moves to light candle with taper)

Song; In the Bleak Midwinter

verse 1, verse 2, verse 5

CAST LIST

We are grateful to the many friends who have worked so hard to help make this play possible.

NARRATOR: Cliff Le Clerq

CENTURION: Philip Le Clerq

FARMER: Roy Fauvel

FISHERMAN: Mick Vincent

SUPPORTING CAST:

Kate Vincent, Robin Simmons,Peter Simmons, Steven Pinzarri (Soldiers);

Suzanne Vincent, Simon Tupper, Simon Booth, Guy Tupper, Charlotte Warren-Gash (Cows)

Samantha Mitchell, Helen Pinzari (Fish)

MUSIC -

PIANO: Susan Tupper

ORGAN: Bill Morrice

PRODUCTION TEAM: Tony Bellows, Samantha Le Luan, Glynn Le Luan, Veda Viliesid

SCRIPT: Tony Bellows

COW MASKS: designed by Bob Booth, made by St Aubin on the Hill Sunday School

SWORDS AND SHIELDS: designed and created by Cliff Le Clerq

FISH MASKS: designed and created by Cliff Le Clerq

SOLDIERS' CLOAKS: provided by Glynn Le Luan

PROGRAMME DESIGN Bob Booth

PROGRAMME PRODUCTION: Ken Webb