The last Noel

November 30th, 2007 Written by Biz

I stood at the flank waiting to join the action, my head covered and my stomach churning, until finally, the decisive moment had come. I stepped into the breach, hoping that my actions that night would do me credit and not shame my fellows; I fought back the fear and walked forward…outward echoed the hymn…“The first noel, the Angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay”…
 

The scene above will be familiar to every one of us. Every year of our childhood we have all played our part in the traditional school Christmas Nativity Play and whether we were Shepherds, Angels, Wise Men or even Mary or Joseph, the play was always an integral part of the build up to Christmas. So integral is the Nativity Play, that even some 30 years since I last participated in one, every word and every Hymn is still etched into my being and I’m sure that is the case for all of you as well.
 

Can you finish this Nativity oration? “Fear not, for glad tidings of great joy I bring for you and all mankind; for this day is born, in the city of David”…
 

See what I mean?
 

It seems, however, that these fond memories are becoming just that; rather like the biblical scourge upon Pharaoh, a great scourge seems to have fallen upon this land also. The traditional Nativity Play seems to be increasingly consigned to the history books by schools and nurseries nationwide, victim as so many other traditions, to the PC brigade and their rabid attempts to destroy any spontaneity, joy, or tradition left within these sceptred Isles.
 

In the Nativity’s stead, many schools have adopted a sort of multi-cultural ‘festival of lights’…a cameo of vignettes of many different religions (but with noticeably less time proportionally, dedicated to Christianity). Now, I am at a loss as to why this is…many schools already acknowledge special days in other religions’ traditions and they would never dream of relegating other religions special days to a nebulous non-event, so why mess with the Nativity? It is after all, a special day to Christians…Jesus’ Birthday in fact!
 

The reason that these heritage destroying Liberal pinko Socialist types get away with this kind of cultural genocide, is that we (as usual in England) let them get away with it…can you imagine what would happen if you did that kind of thing to a Muslim festival? The greatest part of being British is that we are tolerant and accommodating…but sometimes, to our own determent. Can you see Muslims allowing a Monty Python type ‘The Life of Moh**med’? Better not spell it out in full…that would be the equivalent of saying ‘Jehovah’ in The Life of Brian!
 

It was with a sense of crusading zeal then, that I set out to my little lad’s school to petition the Headmistress on the restoration of the school Nativity play this year. I felt that I had the strategic ‘high ground’. Firstly, the Headmistress was new to the school and might be somewhat more malleable than the previous incumbent and secondly, I had armed myself with some prior research. I had canvassed the opinions of a cross section of all of the school’s faiths and for interest, here are the results:
 

• Muslims…They said that they would happily endorse the Nativity, as Jesus is recognised within their faith as a great prophet.
• Sikhs…The guy I spoke to said that he loved Christmas as it gave him the chance to quaff a few extra pints without incurring his wife’s disapproval, as she loved Christmas too.
• Hindus…Said they respected every other religion and particularly loved Christmas as part of the British Tradition…they would happily endorse it.
• Christians…A few takers, but for the most part didn’t care too much…very disappointing!
   

Nonetheless, armed with the shield of inter-faith endorsements and the sword of Nativity inspired might, I advanced to face the Dragon of Political Correctness.
 

As soon as I had sighted my foe, I knew that I would have a fight on my hands; she appeared the very epitome of the PC evangelist, of the type typified by Dawn Primarolo, the Minister for Health. I knew that I would have to use some cunning ploy.
 

I explained the score, but was at every juncture, reposted by the stern façade of one whose ideology is so ingrained as to exclude all comprehension of any other viewpoint; my every oratory twist and turn was countered until finally, I was left with one final, pathetic trump card…”The Muslims don’t mind” I blurted.
 

She seemed to falter and for just one moment I believed that I had victory in my sights…until her final parting remark. “Ok, I’ll make a note of your comments and maybe we can include a part of the nativity in our Festival of Lights…next year”.
 

My heart sank and I knew that I had been dealt the death blow…I had been outmanoeuvred and been given the debating society equivalent of the ‘finger’. Needless to say, I shan’t be attending the school’s ‘Festival of Lights’ this year…or any year. I have resolved to visit my local Catholic Church’s Nativity instead…good old Catholics…you won’t find them dumping the Nativity…after all, no Nativity, no Catholic Church.
 

It seems that those who are determined to dispense with tradition are gaining the upper hand; with Civil Servants no longer encouraged to put up Christmas decorations or wish colleagues a Merry Christmas and with Christmas Lights being slowly done away with along with the Nativity…it seems that we are indeed facing the last Noel.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entry Filed under: Rants & Views