ONE in five children in the south west is not being taught the true meaning of Christmas by their parents, according to a new survey conducted by a Church of England children’s charity.

The poll, commissioned by The Children’s Society, revealed 20 per cent of parents in the region do not teach their children the story of Jesus’ birthday and why Christmas exists.

Results also show nine per cent of children in our region believe Christmas marks Father Christmas’s birthday.

Christian leaders in Swindon have spoken out about the results of the survey.

Matthew van Duyvenbode, the head of campaigns, advocacy and media at Swindon Bible Society, said: “It’s great that 80 per cent of parents are telling their children the story of Christmas.

“We’d love everyone to know how many great stories there are in the Bible and the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth is no different.

“Whether or not they are religious, we’d love parents to share these stories, as they have shaped the cultural, social and religious heritage of this country and continue to do so.”

Canon John Cunningham, the parish priest at Holy Rood Catholic Church, said: “It’s a shame that the real Christmas themes in the wider community are driven increasingly by secular society and a materialistic society.

“Christmas these days is about spending lots of money, if anyone’s got any money, and having a wonderful celebration, but people need to ask themselves whether they are celebrating for the right reasons.

“I understand that Father Christmas, presents and getting excited are all a part of growing up as a child, but Jesus’ birthday should not be forgotten.

“Twenty years ago most people would recognise Christmas as Jesus’ birthday, but now it’s becoming more like a winter festival.”

But the charity’s poll did find that seven per cent of children in the south west would prefer to hear the story of Jesus at Christmas rather than play with presents.

The Children’s Society’s survey launches the charity’s Christmas fundraising campaign, Christingle.

Hundreds of thousands of people across the country have celebrated a Christingle event each December for 45 years in support of the charity Christingle celebrations are held in churches and schools and are a way of teaching children the story of Jesus using a Christingle orange to symbolise various elements of the story of Jesus.

In Swindon, Christingle events will take place at many locations including: