From the book “A Wayne in a Manger” written by Gervase Phinn. an English and Drama School Inspector in the Yorkshire Dales
The infant children had been asked to illustrate the Christmas Story. One small paint-splattered child had produced a large and very colourful effort full of adoring shepherds, kneeling kings and assorted animals gathered around the crib.
“What’s that in the middle of your picture, Amy?” asked the teacher, indicating a large white ball resting in the manger..
“The egg,” replied the child.
“Egg?” Repeated the teacher puzzled.
“You know Miss,” explained the child, “the egg that Baby Jesus hatched out of.”
“Baby Jesus didn’t hatch out of an egg!” chuckled the teacher. “Whatever gave you that idea?”
“But you said He did, replied the child, her forehead creasing into a frown and her bottom lip beginning to pout.
“When did I say that Baby Jesus hatched out of an egg?” enquired the teacher.
“You said, ‘Mary laid Baby Jesus in the manger’,” replied the child.
On Sunday December 22nd at 4 pm we will be holding our crib service when we ask you to come dressed as one of the characters from the nativity – Mary, Joseph, shepherd, angel, innkeeper, sheep – but please no eggs!