When I was in primary school, there was real kudos in being chosen to play one of the lead roles in the Christmas Nativity. Joseph was right up there, as was the innkeeper and the wise men. The shepherds were down the pecking order, but still better than nothing. Sadly for me, the only thing I played in any school Nativity was the coconuts – the sound effect for the donkey. Therefore, I’ve always had an affection for the carol ‘Little Donkey’, as it reminds me of my starring moment in Year 3.
However, as I’ve grown older and considered the words of this carol, I’ve come to realise that some of its imagery is as much out of place with the biblical account of Jesus’ birth as coconuts would have been in the manger he was laid in.
First of all, there is no mention in the Bible’s accounts of a donkey. That staple of most Nativity plays doesn’t make its appearance in the story of the life of Jesus until Palm Sunday.
Then there are the words of the chorus, which give the instructions to ‘ring out those bells tonight’ and ‘follow that star tonight’. Well, again, a thorough look through the Gospels have revealed that there were no bells to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Nor did Mary and Joseph have a star to guide them on their way, that was the wise men – and nowhere in the Bible does it say, as the carol does, that anyone was guided by a star to a cattle shed.
But all of these inaccuracies don’t change my affection for this carol. I guess they just reflect some of the ‘extras’ that have been added to the Nativity story. When you think of it, people have been adding extras not just to the Nativity story, but to the season of Christmas for centuries – and I’m glad that they have.
I enjoy the decorations, the presents, the turkey and the crackers and all the other pleasures of Christmas. The Bible does tell us that Jesus didn’t have a problem going to parties, so I believe he’s happy to see us having a great time celebrating his birth. Just as long as we don’t forget him in all the added extras of the season.
At Christmas we celebrate the miracle of God choosing to become a human being. There was no kudos in that for him, but for us it gives the opportunity to know the reality of what an authentic, God-centred life can bring.
