Laura Kemp explains “Why the Nativity is a dirty word for the BBC”. Apparently the BBC is too afraid of… something to do any programming for young children about the Nativity this Christmas. Although they do have programming on the Nativity. It’s just that what they have isn’t good enough. And they include the Nativity in inclusive religious programming… Hang on, what were we complaining about again? Whatever, despite the fact that the BBC have hours of religious programming scheduled specifically all the time throughout the year, the way the BBC are doing… something wrong in their Nativity coverage is definitely shocking and troubling to the Daily Mail.

The BBC, I thought, is bound to be showing lots of child-friendly Nativity programmes, which inspire nostalgia and affection in parents of all religious persuasions, and give real meaning to the festival behind today’s blatant consumerism. After all, the BBC has a charter which compels it to provide us with religious programming.

Don’t we know it.

But I was in for a shock. Despite a daily 13-hour output on its pre-school channel, CBeebies, the Corporation hardly plans to mention the Nativity during its Christmas coverage.

“Hardly” of course doesn’t mean “not at all”, so just how much Nativity does the author want in a mere 13 hour schedule?! Presumably one whole programme solely about the Nativity would suffice? Oh, wait…

Laughably, the sole programme completely dedicated to the birth of Christ, the Tikkabilla Nativity, will be broadcast on Christmas Day when, for once, toddlers will be too busy opening parcels and spending precious time with family to watch TV … Won’t it be a bit late by December 25 to be explaining one of the most important dates in the Christian and British calendar? It’s like closing the stable door after the donkey has bolted.

Haha, yeah, that’s ridiculous. Putting stuff about the Nativity on on Christmas Day! Laughable. That’s much too late. After all everyone knows that children should be spoonfed their religious stories weeks in advance of the big day.

My attempts [to talk over and over again to my son about the Nativity] so far have stretched to My First Nativity Book at bedtime, a shepherd-like tea towel on his head which he thought was a game of ‘boo!’, a trip to church, and a glue-and-glitter cardboard star of Bethlehem.

But none of those was as engaging as a well-made and informative programme would be to a young mind.

That’s right. Reading to children at bedtime, dressing up, physically visiting places, and making crafts… all these are no substitute for 10 minutes in front of the telly.

Perhaps the BBC doesn’t want to be accused of ramming religion down children’s throats.

But if that’s the case, then why is it so keen to boast about its new pre-school series for 2010 called Let’s Celebrate, which will focus on religious and cultural festivals around the UK, including Chinese New Year and Hinduism’s Diwali?

The Punjabi festival of Vaisakhi, Islam’s Eid, the Hindu celebration of Holi, Buddhism’s Wesak and the Jewish festival of Purim will also be included and — gasp — so will Christianity’s Easter and Christmas.

Nice of them to be so inclusive as to include the most profoundly symbolic festivals of this country’s faith.

Um, isn’t that exactly what you wanted?

I’m not saying the BBC should bash its young viewers over the head with a Bible…

… I’m just saying I’m not happy about the lack of crucial Nativity programming, even though there is programming about the Nativity.