Keep nativity tradition says Cheltenham vicar
The sight of baby Jesus in his crib watched over by Mary and Joseph used to be a familiar sight at Christmas.
But in recent years, many schools throughout Gloucestershire have chosen to perform something more secular.
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Now it's sparked fears the meaning of the traditional nativity and the story behind it is being lost to the younger generation.
As pupils and teachers gear up for this year's performances, church leaders in Cheltenham say Jesus should be central.
St Paul's Church vicar Roger Widdecombe said: "I saw Dunalley School's nativity and Jesus remained central to the story, which was fantastic.
"But I have seen performances elsewhere previously where the central character has not been Jesus. Instead he is replaced by an angel or a sheep, and I think that's a shame.
"I'm a big fan of keeping the nativity as a nativity, although I realise the performance has to engage youngsters and there aren't that many well-written nativities out there."
Ewan Jones, youth worker at St Mary's and St Matthew's in Cheltenham town centre, said: "Many people are embarrassed as a nation of our religious traditions and the heritage the church brings. There's a purpose to the story and that is that Jesus came as a human to live in poverty. His parent's weren't married and were refugees. There are many themes which are relevant to today and that's why it's important to tell the story as it is, otherwise Christmas becomes pointless. Schools shouldn't be ashamed or embarrassed to use it because it can still engage young people."
The comments follow a Sunday Telegraph survey of 100 schools that found only one in five were staging the traditional Christmas story, with one in three doing a religion-free play or nothing at all.
Recent Christmas plays in Cheltenham schools have included Little Angel, Whoops a Daisy Angel, The Grumpy Sheep and Jack and the Beanstalk.
The Rev Michael Garland, from St Mary's Church in Charlton Kings, takes a more relaxed view. He said: "The majority of them incorporate elements of the nativity into the story. There aren't many verses in the Bible which talk about it and so some assumptions are naturally made. For instance Jesus is born in a stable and that's recorded but there is no mention of animals. I don't think the traditional nativity is being diluted by adding these other elements. If there is a story about Jesus' birth in any way, that is a good thing."
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by colonel mahatma poo mcshoo, glem
Friday, January 22 2010, 2:26AM
“i think natavity plays are horrible i was forced to do one behind jeremy goon , the bigger boy in school ,and he always farted , leaving me to smell it”
by Mr Rusty Starfish (Ret), Nursing Home in Cheltenham
Tuesday, January 12 2010, 10:13PM
“I remember when stared in a nativity play in 1938. I played the part of a duck and hated it, i never got over the shame of that day. I belive that nativity plays should be banned as they are a form of torture for children.”
by Rev. Richard Turk, The Reddings, Cheltenham
Tuesday, January 12 2010, 5:56PM
“''But if this charge is true (that she wasn't a virgin on her wedding night), and evidence of the girls virginity is not found, they shall bring the girl to the entrance of her fathers house and there her townsman shall stone her to death, because she committed a crime against Israel by her unchasteness in her father's house. Thus shall you purge the evil from your midst.'' (Deuteronomy 22:20-21) AMEN”
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by Kath, Cheltenham
Tuesday, December 15 2009, 5:09PM
“My son has just done his 2nd christmas concert and although it was lovely what I'd really like to have seen was a tradition nativity. I am not religious but I believe in tradition and teaching our children the story of how christmas came to be.
Mohammed, I am deeply confused by your first comment.....you say your religion isn't forced down our throats yet you think it right that nativity's should be banned?? How strange!
If people of other religions feel so strongly against nativitys then simply ask your children not to take part, however I'm sure you'd find that the children would be more upset at not taking part in the nativity than at the fact the nativity is taking place.
Why should a whole class miss out because of a minority?
In our schools were are taught about all religions and they're customs but yet we can't even let our children perform a nativity play.
BRING BACK THE NATIVITY!
Personally I think those people of other religions who want to strip our country of it's identity should consider going to a place where that conflict wouldn't occur......problem solved!”