“The Nativity Star,” Friend, December 2022, 4–5
The Nativity Star
What part could Cayden play in the Nativity?
It was Christmas Eve. That meant it was time for the family Nativity play! Acting out the story of Jesus Christ’s birth was one of Cayden’s favorite Christmas traditions.
Dad got out the box of costumes. “Who do you want to be this year?” he asked Cayden’s younger brother and sister.
“I’ll be Joseph!” Grant said. He reached into the box and pulled out costumes.
“May I be Mary?” asked Hannah. Mom nodded and handed her a doll. Hannah carefully wrapped the doll in a blanket and put it in a little box like a manger.
Cayden smiled. Hannah wanted to play the part of Mary every year.
“I’ll be a shepherd,” said Brynne, Cayden’s older sister. She grabbed a stuffed animal. “And this will be my sheep.”
“Mom would be a beautiful angel,” Dad said.
Mom smiled. “See how wise Dad is? He would make a great Wise Man.”
“Someone strong needs to be the donkey.” Cayden’s oldest brother, Scott, flexed his muscles. “I guess that’s me.”
“What about you, Cayden?” Dad asked. “What part do you want to play?”
Cayden was quiet. Then he had an idea.
He ran to get the yellow blanket off his bed. He held it up for Dad to see. “It’s a part we haven’t had before. I want to be the star. The one that shows the way to Jesus.”
“That’s a great idea,” Dad said.
They all put their costumes on. Cayden wrapped the yellow blanket around his shoulders. Then Dad read the story from the scriptures.
Cayden smiled as Scott got on his hands and knees to be the donkey. Dad set Hannah on his back to be Mary. Grant, who was Joseph, tried to steady her as they walked across the room. Cayden listened closely. He knew his part was coming.
“And behold, there shall a new star arise,” Dad read.*
Cayden stood tall with his arms stretched out wide. He thought about the star that shone over Bethlehem. He wanted to help people find Jesus, just like the star did on that first Christmas night.
Illustrations by Agnes Saccani