The world could witness the largest live nativity scene tomorrow when 850 angels, shepherds and a donkey get together at De La Salle College, Cottonera, in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record.
Our main concerns are the weather and participants not turning up because they’re sick
For a couple of hours tomorrow morning there will be no lessons for the 600 boys in the junior school.
Instead they will, joyfully and triumphantly, be trooping down the college gymnasium draped in colourful robes and headscarves.
There they will be joined by about 60 teachers and staff and a further 200 relatives of students – from grandmothers to baby siblings. And just when there will be no more room at the ‘inn’, with 850 participants huddling in a ‘faux stable’, the world record will hopefully be broken.
“But it is tricky,” said assistant head Nic Mifsud, who will be dressed up as a shepherd.
“Our main concerns are the weather and participants not turning up because they’re sick,” he said.
Another concern is competition. This Christmas themed record is becoming very popular around the world.
“We just got to know another school in the UK is attempting to break it too,” Mr Mifsud said.
The current record – of 743 participants – is held by Welton Baptist Church in Midsomer Norton, UK, which made it to the record books last December.
The young students are excited about the prospect. “I really look forward to being in the book,” nine-year-old Jason Lee Evans said.
Jacob Gafà Craus, seven, is very happy he will be seeing a real donkey, but his enthusiasm is also fuelled by the sense of rivalry: “I am excited because I want us to beat the English!”
The youngest participant, Aiden Pawley, playing the part of baby Jesus, is just under seven-weeks-old. But he will be very much at home on stage: his mother, a teacher at De La Salle, will be playing the part of Mary and the baby’s father will be the angel who will bring him in.
The event will be recorded with photos and videos. The rules are extensive and rigorous, and at least 17 stewards will be overseeing the event and reporting back to the Guinness World Records.
A public notary will be doing the head count of all participants – including the donkey.
How to break the record
•The nativity scene must depict the birth of Jesus as described in the gospels of Matthew and Luke.
• Real humans and animals must participate.
•The record is measured by the number of figures taking part.
• The whole scene must be accompanied by model buildings and decorations to add to the spirit.