The Italian politician Giorgia Meloni recently issued a video in which she proclaims herself a ‘presepista’ (a Christmas crib supporter) rather than an ‘alberista’ (or Christmas tree supporter). Giorgia goes on to say that there should be no excuses for multi-ethnic schools banning Christmas cribs on the ground that they might ‘offend’ those pupils who have not been brought up in the Roman Catholic tradition.

Although I have absolutely no sympathy with Meloni’s political views – she is a founder member of the very right-wing ‘Fratelli d’Italia’ – I do agree with her on this point. Italy is a culture built upon two thousand years of Christian, specifically Catholic, tradition. Whether one believes in the Virgin birth or not is quite irrelevant. To outlaw the Christmas crib in schools is like defying values, customs, credence, mores, and the fabric of western civilization itself which have made Italy what it is today, for better or worse.

In the largely Protestant north, where the making of a Christmas crib is not nearly as prevalent as in the Catholic south of Europe, such a ban would be tantamount to prohibiting Nativity plays.

Fanatics could extend this further and consider excluding performances of ‘The Messiah’ because not all choir members and audiences are practising Christians or indeed, the presentation of any of the great sung Masses by the likes of Palestrina, Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.

The fact is that all these traditions, art-works, performances, presentations, rituals form an essential, often unconsciously practised, part of our way of life where we live on this beautiful, but sadly abused, blue planet.

I am reminded of the uproar caused by the renaming of Christmas time as ‘Winterval’ by Birmingham council some years ago. In the community college I taught at as a lecturer the principal decided that the presence of the Christmas tree should be abolished from the foyer as it might offend people of other cultures. Ironically, the first person to complain about this ban at my college was the receptionist who was Indian-Hindu and the Christmas tree was soon returned to its rightful place!

Integration in today’s world means respect for each community’s positive traditions. Indeed, it is these positive traditions which show us the light to guide us the way to a more tolerant, free and open-minded world.

So it was two thousand years ago when a great star led the Wise Men to the birth of a baby in a manger in a town which, so sadly today, needs tolerance, love and hope.

BTW If you still haven’t been to a Christmas crib in our area, whether living or even mechanical, there’s still a chance. For more details check out the ‘Valley of the Christmas Cribs’ FB page at:

https://www.facebook.com/valledeipresepi/

PS I believe, at home, in both the Christmas tree and the Christmas crib. Carlotta agrees!

Home movie follows:

Finally, may we take this opportunity to wish you wherever you are, however you are, whatever you believe in…

Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!