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Reindeer Ralph supplants Nativity Reindeer Ralph supplants Nativity
(30 minutes later)
The traditional schoolchildren's Nativity play may be in decline By Julian Joyce BBC News The traditional nativity play is on the wane, suggests a survey. So what has taken its place? Ralph the Reindeer, says a leading children's playwright.The traditional schoolchildren's Nativity play may be in decline By Julian Joyce BBC News The traditional nativity play is on the wane, suggests a survey. So what has taken its place? Ralph the Reindeer, says a leading children's playwright.
The excitement of being Third Shepherd, Inn Keeper or Little Donkey is a staple part of a schoolchild's Christmas experience.The excitement of being Third Shepherd, Inn Keeper or Little Donkey is a staple part of a schoolchild's Christmas experience.
For generations, the season is forever associated with tea-towels and tinsel, as parents rummage to make costumes for traditional Nativity performances.For generations, the season is forever associated with tea-towels and tinsel, as parents rummage to make costumes for traditional Nativity performances.
If the school has children from a lot of other faiths, maybe the feeling is they need to be thought about as well Niki Davies
Yet a Sunday Telegraph survey of 100 schools has found only one in five opting to stage the traditional Christmas story. One in three will stage a religion-free Christmas play or have no event at all.Yet a Sunday Telegraph survey of 100 schools has found only one in five opting to stage the traditional Christmas story. One in three will stage a religion-free Christmas play or have no event at all.
If the school has children from a lot of other faiths, maybe the feeling is they need to be thought about as well Niki Davies Practising Christian Niki Davies has written both kinds of plays for schools. She is currently writing Nativity - a straightforward dramatisation of Matthew, chapters 1:18 to 2:12. Practising Christian Niki Davies has written both kinds of plays for schools. She is currently writing Nativity - a straightforward dramatisation of Matthew, chapters 1:18 to 2:12.
But she is also the author of Ralph the Reindeer and the Snowman at Sunset, plays with a strong moral message but which also deliberately avoid biblical references.But she is also the author of Ralph the Reindeer and the Snowman at Sunset, plays with a strong moral message but which also deliberately avoid biblical references.
"The Nativity is Christian-based, " she says. "Perhaps if the school has children from a lot of other faiths, maybe the feeling is they need to be thought about as well.""The Nativity is Christian-based, " she says. "Perhaps if the school has children from a lot of other faiths, maybe the feeling is they need to be thought about as well."
HAVE YOUR SAY Nativity plays are an important tool for teaching about Christianity. Children enjoy taking part and parents enjoy watching them. Stephanie, UK Send us your comments
The apparent trend for non-traditional plays has been welcomed by the National Secular Society's director Keith Porteous Wood.The apparent trend for non-traditional plays has been welcomed by the National Secular Society's director Keith Porteous Wood.
"This is a reflection of society: Seventy straight years of continuous decline in Church attendance," he says."This is a reflection of society: Seventy straight years of continuous decline in Church attendance," he says.
"We should celebrate it. It shows a greater sensitivity to our more multicultural society, those of all faiths and none.""We should celebrate it. It shows a greater sensitivity to our more multicultural society, those of all faiths and none."
Simple taleSimple tale
Nearly half of the schools surveyed have picked a compromise solution - modern interpretations of the Christmas story.Nearly half of the schools surveyed have picked a compromise solution - modern interpretations of the Christmas story.
Out goes a simple tale involving a journey, a donkey, and a sympathetic innkeeper. And in come a whole new cast of characters like the Whoops-a-Daisy Angel, created by Ms Davies.Out goes a simple tale involving a journey, a donkey, and a sympathetic innkeeper. And in come a whole new cast of characters like the Whoops-a-Daisy Angel, created by Ms Davies.
MODERN NATIVITY CHARACTERS The Bossy King: One of the Wise Men learns the value of humility after an encounter with the Christ childThe Whoops-a-Daisy Angel is entrusted with the important task of sharing the news of Christ's birth and carries it out without mishapThe Little Blue Star is mocked for being a different colour but manages to lead the Wise Men to Bethlehem all the sameMODERN NATIVITY CHARACTERS The Bossy King: One of the Wise Men learns the value of humility after an encounter with the Christ childThe Whoops-a-Daisy Angel is entrusted with the important task of sharing the news of Christ's birth and carries it out without mishapThe Little Blue Star is mocked for being a different colour but manages to lead the Wise Men to Bethlehem all the same
"If there is a twist to it, plus another story, it makes it newer and fresher, rather than the same story told year after year," says Ms Davies."If there is a twist to it, plus another story, it makes it newer and fresher, rather than the same story told year after year," says Ms Davies.
The need for people to love each other despite their differences is a dominant theme, as is not to expect people to be perfect.The need for people to love each other despite their differences is a dominant theme, as is not to expect people to be perfect.
One school that is not opting for the traditional Nativity play this year is Strand-on-the-Green Infants in west London.One school that is not opting for the traditional Nativity play this year is Strand-on-the-Green Infants in west London.
Head teacher Mark Newton says it is not just about meeting the needs of children of many faiths. The pressure of a demanding national curriculum is also responsible.Head teacher Mark Newton says it is not just about meeting the needs of children of many faiths. The pressure of a demanding national curriculum is also responsible.
Instead, pupils were being asked to write, rehearse and perform 5-7 minute segments "with a Christmas theme" and at the end of the show is a "time-lapse Nativity".Instead, pupils were being asked to write, rehearse and perform 5-7 minute segments "with a Christmas theme" and at the end of the show is a "time-lapse Nativity".
"We need to include the Nativity to add a flavour to the end, so we have an abbreviated version," he says. "It's a practical thing.""We need to include the Nativity to add a flavour to the end, so we have an abbreviated version," he says. "It's a practical thing."
I can assure you Muslims do not take offence at Nativity plays Manzoor Moghal, Muslim Forum Defenders of the traditional Nativity school play say it acts as an important cultural anchor in an increasingly multicultural society.I can assure you Muslims do not take offence at Nativity plays Manzoor Moghal, Muslim Forum Defenders of the traditional Nativity school play say it acts as an important cultural anchor in an increasingly multicultural society.
"In the same way that we are learning about the customs of other people who are moving to our country, so do they need to know about our customs as well," says social commentator Jenny Trent Hughes."In the same way that we are learning about the customs of other people who are moving to our country, so do they need to know about our customs as well," says social commentator Jenny Trent Hughes.
"This is so that they can all communicate with each other and grow up together.""This is so that they can all communicate with each other and grow up together."
'Mistaken policy''Mistaken policy'
Muslim thinker Manzoor Moghal accuses secularists of teaming up with practitioners of what he termed "political correctness" for the decline of the Nativity play.Muslim thinker Manzoor Moghal accuses secularists of teaming up with practitioners of what he termed "political correctness" for the decline of the Nativity play.
"I can assure you Muslims do not take offence at Nativity plays," says Mr Moghal, chairman of the Leicester-based Muslim Forum."I can assure you Muslims do not take offence at Nativity plays," says Mr Moghal, chairman of the Leicester-based Muslim Forum.
"Britain is a Christian country and the majority of people are Christians. We enjoy your festivities and we like to learn about them."Britain is a Christian country and the majority of people are Christians. We enjoy your festivities and we like to learn about them.
"This is a mistaken, misguided and misrepresentative policy: we should celebrate the freedom to celebrate our faith.""This is a mistaken, misguided and misrepresentative policy: we should celebrate the freedom to celebrate our faith."

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