Crossword Genius

Couple missing the middle part in a nativity play (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mary

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'couple missing' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'middle part in a nativity play' is the wordplay.
'middle part in' says to take the centre.
'a' becomes 'amp' (A is the symbol for the amp or ampere).
'nativity play' becomes 'ary' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
The middle of 'amp' is 'm'.
'm'+'ary'='MARY'

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mary that I've seen before include "a religious icon" , "Disney film with Julie Andrews" , "See 2" , "-- Queen of Scots" , "Mother of Jesus" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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