School nativity to hit airwaves on Radio 4

School nativity to hit airwaves on Radio 4

21 December 2016

CHILDREN from Strangford and Kilclief will tell their own unique version of the nativity to radio listeners on Christmas Eve.

The dearth of rusty tractors, pizza vans and mobile phones will feature highly in the little ones’ improvised drama about the world when Jesus was born.

The story will be told by five and six year-old children from St Joseph’s Primary School and St Malachy’s Primary School following a lead-in by Liam Neeson.

Aired on BBC Radio 4 at 11am on Christmas Eve, listeners will hear the children’s earnest contemplations of life “long, long ago.” 

A lot of lively debate will emerge following the introduction by one pupil who will tell: “There is a new baby starting in two weeks and he will be the son of God.”

This debate will include disagreement about whether or not Mary would have had a scan to confirm her pregnancy or whether, as one clued-in participant suggests “when the belly gets lumped they know.”

There will also be a discussion about whether or not Mary and Joseph live in Dublin, London or Calcutta, while the impromptu will include the Angel Gabriel being quizzed about his sudden appearance.

“Hello Angel, what is your name?”

“Angel.

“What are you doing in my kitchen?”

This leads one particularly perplexed child to warn; “I would run back to my house if an angel came and tell my dad.”

Devised by author Frank Cottrell Boyce, the programme puts the full nativity story into small hands. It can be heard on Radio 4 at 11am on December 24.