Last rehearsal of the GB nativity play and instead of a typical 14-16 girls we had 22, one brand new, two returned after long absences, and a couple who are rather hit and miss.  More shuffling of parts, a few new characters invented - including a very important angel who holds a star, played by our newest recruit (this character is in the Apocryphal Gospel of Catriona, chapter 1, not sure which verse yet).  When her mother arrived to collect her, she said to her "oh well, you won't be in it this time" and was genuinely amazed by our inclusion policy - truth is, if a new girl arrives next week we'll fit her in somehow.

As I drove home, I found myself reminded of the parable of the workers being hired to work in the vineyard at various times during the day.  Our play next week will, like all nativity plays, be heavily dependent on cold viruses, the whims of infant school children, and who remembers to turn up.  What matters is the everyone who does turn up will be found something to wear and something to do, and everyone, whether she has attended every week and is word perfect, or arrives for the first time and has to be prodded in the right direction, will get her moment of glory and a big clap at the end.

Maybe I'll add this parable to my apocryphal gospel too?!