Key Takeaways
- The Church of England has given its blessing to wearing gaudy festive knitwear, such as Christmas jumpers, during the holiday season.
- According to the Dean of Salisbury, God is "tasteless" and does not make aesthetic judgments, which means that even the most lurid Christmas sweaters are acceptable.
- The Church of England is launching an app that will feature 12 Christmas-related joys, one for each day of Christmas, which will include things like Christmas pudding, pulling crackers, and cold New Year’s walks.
- The Dean of Salisbury believes that even earthly items, such as Christmas jumpers, can catch glimpses of the divine and be a part of the Christmas celebration.
Introduction to the Church of England’s Stance on Christmas
The Church of England has taken a unique approach to the holiday season by embracing the more secular aspects of Christmas, including the wearing of gaudy festive knitwear. The Dean of Salisbury, The Very Rev Nicholas Papadopulos, has written a booklet entitled The Twelve Joys of Christmas, which highlights the importance of embracing all aspects of the holiday season, not just the traditional Christian story of the nativity. According to Papadopulos, the main joys of Christmas are found in the good news of the birth of Jesus, as well as in the earthly items and activities that bring people together during the holiday season.
The Significance of Earthly Items in Christmas Celebrations
Papadopulos believes that even the most earthly items, such as Christmas trees, presents, and food, can catch glimpses of the divine and be a part of the Christmas celebration. He writes, "At Christmas we celebrate the divine becoming visible in the earthly, don’t we? Isn’t it just possible that in this other stuff — this decidedly earthly stuff — we catch glimpses of the divine? I believe that it is." This approach to Christmas celebrations is a departure from the traditional focus on the Christian story of the nativity, and instead emphasizes the importance of embracing all aspects of the holiday season.
The Virtues of Christmas Jumpers
One of the most interesting aspects of Papadopulos’ booklet is his discussion of Christmas jumpers. He writes, "They are unavoidable. They have landscapes of antlers, snowflakes and fir trees. They feature puddings, stars, penguins, snowmen and even dinosaurs. They have jingling bells and flashing lights. They sparkle and flash. They come in the most lurid colours and questionable fabrics imaginable." Despite their often tacky appearance, Papadopulos believes that Christmas jumpers are a vital part of the holiday season, and that they can even be seen as a way of celebrating the divine. He writes, "You see, Christmas jumpers are tasteless. And here’s the thing. God is tasteless too. That’s actually the heart of the good news. God is without a shred of cultural or aesthetic judgment. That must be so."
The Church of England’s App and the 12 Joys of Christmas
The Church of England is launching an app that will feature 12 Christmas-related joys, one for each day of Christmas. These joys will include things like Christmas pudding, pulling crackers, and cold New Year’s walks, and will be available daily via the app. According to Papadopulos, these earthly items and activities are an important part of the Christmas celebration, and can help people connect with the divine. By embracing all aspects of the holiday season, the Church of England hopes to make Christmas more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Church of England’s stance on Christmas is one of inclusivity and celebration. By embracing all aspects of the holiday season, including the more secular and earthly items, the Church hopes to make Christmas more enjoyable and meaningful for everyone. As Papadopulos writes, "God is without a shred of cultural or aesthetic judgment. That must be so." This approach to Christmas celebrations is a unique and refreshing one, and is sure to bring joy and cheer to people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re a fan of Christmas jumpers or not, there’s no denying the importance of embracing the holiday season and all its traditions, both sacred and secular.