KOTA KINABALU: The Year 2 Class of St Simon Catholic Church Likas re-enacted the Nativity story of the birth of Jesus Christ in front of some 400 people at the parish hall, here, on Nov 10.
The Nativity play, held for the first time by the Sunday School Ministry, showcased the many talents of the eight-year-old group. Four students from Year 3 also supported them as little lambs.
Their performance took the audience, comprising Sunday School students, parents, teachers and parishioners, on a journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem with their acting, singing and dancing. Their beautiful costumes added colour to the play.
The children’s stellar performance delivered a powerful message in anticipation of the season of Advent – that Jesus wants to be born in our hearts, and we, the innkeepers of our hearts are called to make room for Jesus this Christmas.
Teachers-in-charge, Vera and Beatrice, initiated the project, in response to Jesus’ call to “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these”.
The teachers saw the capacity of the children to deliver the Nativity message, which is also the theme of the play, to the parish – that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
The young students took the mission to heart and displayed a strong sense of unity, confidence, love and joy through their performance, as they took on one of the firsts of their many evangelization tasks in the Church. Parish Rector, Rev Fr Cosmas Lee, had expressed confidence and believed that the children would do well in their mission.
The children practiced for four months, which began in July, and practice was increased gradually over the months, leading up to the 40-minute performance. It was challenging to get all the children engaged in each practice session. Therefore, a two-hour stage rehearsal would often involve one hour of practice and another hour of play time, snack time and running around for the children.
However, as the date of the Nativity play drew close, teachers, students and parents persevered in the race and fixed their eyes on Jesus. Parents supported the play; accompanying children to rehearsals and spent time practicing with the children at home.
The parish’s Sunday School community hoped that through the challenges and difficulties of organizing activities for children and others to draw closer to Jesus, the community too would grow stronger in faith, hope and charity. – by Vera Ng & Beatrice Lim
St Simon Catholic Church Likas 