And there were in the same country shepherds....

In the Old Testament, shepherds get a very mixed reputation. Sometimes they were seen as the best people in the land, but more often they were thought of as rough, tough and pretty lawless.

In the Nativity today, for example, the littlest shepherd E (in the front) lifted the sheepskin cover, whipped the baby Jesus out of the manger, stuffed him headfirst into a shopping basket that was handily nearby, picked it up and headed off!

This is part of the story little known. In Art terms it will appear after the Annunciation, the Adoration of the Magi - and then the Abduction of Jesus!

I was envisaging a new Act 2! "Hello! You don't know us, but we know where the baby is! Used notes only - or the world will remain unsaved!"

Actually it was a great little presentation. There are more photos at Nativity Play

(Full parental consent has been obtained for the publication of these images)