CofE figures want shorter shopping hours this Christmas

The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Price has called for shorter shopping hours this Christmas, adding that he found the prospects of shops being open on 26 December depressing.

He said, "I think of the shop workers, who have struggled through the frantic preparations of other people's Christmas, and who arrive at their own Christmas Day weary and unable to relax and enjoy the festival because they have to be back at work the next day," reports Church Times.

In addition the Keep Sunday Special Campaign, Bishop Price has also said that there should be more time for families during the Christmas season.

The public affairs director of the Keep Sunday Special Campaign, Martyn Eden was quoted by the newspaper as saying, "Research by the Department of Education in 2005 showed that there was a direct correlation with kid's performance in school and how much they saw their parents.

"Then there is also the health aspect that for some shopworkers their only day off might be Christmas Day."

Support for families also came from Rosemary Kempsell, worldwide president of the Mothers' Union. She said, "Space for families to grow together is really important. We . . . speak out on issues such as extended shopping hours on what are, traditionally, family holiday days, and against the commercialisation of childhood."

Last month the Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt Rev George Cassidy told the House of Lords that the nation, marriage, family life, and the NHS would benefit from everyone taking one day a week off work.

In addition to promoting time for families this Christmas, Church of England figures have also spoken in favour of the traditional nativity play. A Daily Telegraph survey recently suggested that only one fifth of primary schools are planning to hold a traditional nativity play this year.

The Church of England's National Children's Advisor, Mary Hawes said, "Because of the diversity of views within each faith, it is not surprising that there are differing attitudes to nativity plays and Christmas celebrations.

"However, this should not deter schools, particularly church schools, from staging these much-loved plays with confidence and creativity, safe in the knowledge that most people of all faiths and none enjoy them as much as Christians do," according to Church Times.

According to Jon Reynolds, the St Albans diocesan director of education, church schools will be holding nativity plays, furthermore many are likely to hold other Christmas events such as carol services, church services and others throughout Advent and Christmas.

According to Church Times, a spokesman for the diocese of St Albans said, "The BBC will show a dramatised version of the Easter story next year, and does not think this offends anyone; so what reasons are there for any school to drop their nativity play?"