Due to the financial limitations caused by the ‘credit crunch’, many newspapers have responded by eliminating the usual encouragements to indulge in conspicuous consumption and have instead carried articles supporting a more frugal celebration of Christmas. These have included instructions on ‘Making Your Own…’, dealing with everything from presents to sweets.  Some papers have even carried articles by eminent child psychologists about preparing children for the disappointment of not receiving the contents of ‘Toys ‘R’ Us’ on Christmas morning.

Many articles have made the point that the shortage of money might even be a ‘good thing’, encouraging a return to traditional, less commercialised celebrations and the ‘real meaning of Christmas’. A few papers have even carried a token response from a Christian clergyman – but none has stressed the fact that recalling the birth of Christ is the prime reason for this celebration.

This year, as part of our diocesan initiative ‘Handing on Our Faith’, we have introduced into our schools the ‘Travelling Crib’, as a means of encouraging parents to pray with their children and pass on to them the real message of Christmas. Many of our schools have participated, with each class having their own set of small carved figures of the Holy Family to send to children’s homes. With their parents’ co-operation, the family agrees to read the Scripture and prayers contained in the accompanying booklet.

The initiative has been welcomed by schools and parents, who have sent back some inspirational responses, many of them delighting in the fact that they have been able as a family to share together the real story and meaning of Christmas.

The excellent response from participating schools has also been of benefit to the Christian family-run workshop in Bethlehem, from where the figures were purchased through links with Pax Christi. 

The celebrations of Christmas day itself may be over for this year, and the decorations will soon be put away, but perhaps now is the time for schools and parishes to consider how in the future they may be able to encourage families to share the real meaning of Christmas.

Kate Tippen.    

Primary RE Adviser and Diocesan Director of Mission Together in the Diocese of Nottingham