It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of recessionary cutbacks and also huge extravagant office parties. The picture of a zenativity scene below (courtesy of lithotao at flickr) is a bit different from my spirituality group’s own nativity play, which we put on last night for a select audience. I was the minstrel in Ted Hughes’s The Coming of the Kings and it reminded me why I am so much happier in the audience than on the (makeshift) stage.
If you have ever had to make a tin-foil star for a nativity play. Or be the star (quite literally) in said play then you will appreciate the beauty of a zen nativity play. I would quite happily have meditated silently on the meaning of Christmas instead of hamming it up in front of my group (and significant others) last night. The others were great – really excellent – but the minstrel has to deliver the plummy lines. What a shocker! At least P shared in some of the agony by being the star. Reminded me of Stardust where Clare Danes does a very good impression of a shining star. So today I have newfound respect for actors and singers and I’m hoping to avoid all active dramatic parts for at least another 12 months. Next year I’m arguing strongly in favour of a Zen Christmas. It might be a touch Scrooge-like but at least it’s calm. Very, very calm.
Posted by Pete 
