How Would Jesus Look If He Were a Xhosa Man

This is the name of the Nativity Play that was conceived in the mind of Ntsika Kitsili. After he had an experience of being visited by his Grandfather in a dream in July, his Grandmother interpreted his experience as a message from the Holy Spirit through the appearance of his Grandfather. It was the first time he had ever connected a visit by an ancestor to the Holy Spirit. So he began to wonder. What would be the experience of a small Xhosa village if Jesus Christ was to come into its midst? Thus, the play itself was born.

The Children of the Cross gave a magnificent performance of the drama for the monks, guests and many other friends and family from Grahamstown on the 13th of December, the Third Sunday of Advent, in our monastery church. The audience gave it a resounding standing ovation.

Ntsika said that many of the children contributed greatly to the creative input through much brainstorming. As he put it, the play is as much theirs as it is his. “It was a real group effort. Without them, it would not have been what it was.” He also said that the cast was great to work with. They could relax and play easily. Then, when they needed to get down and work they were eager to do so. Ntsika enjoyed being part of the group and grew to truly respect them as they did him. They have been working hard to prepare for that Sunday, and it showed.

This Nativity was not meek and mild. Jesus was entering into a concrete, gritty, realistic world set at “Cold Spring”, the farm across the road from us. People who were once at peace enter into conflict. A desperate and anguished cry for mercy and help brings Mary into the picture. In the midst of the people’s desolation, Gabriel appears to Mary. The play profoundly depicts Mary’s predicament as a woman pregnant not by Joseph, her husband. And Joseph in his anger and confusion seeks the counsel of a sangoma to test the truth of the Incarnation. The reality of this Incarnation reconciles Mary and Joseph so truly and tenderly just soon enough to have to leave the village chased by all the symbolic Herods of humanity who would want to “crush” this child.

We were all so very proud of Ntsika and the children. This production of such excellent quality was a truly moving and precious Christmas gift to our community by these remarkable young people who constantly surprise and delight us.

More pictures of this production appear on the Galleries page.

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