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Church leaders have produced Beano-style comic books, featuring Santa and snowmen alongside the traditional Christmas characters, to help primary school children learn the story of the nativity.

The comic, called Christmas Crackers, begins the story of the virgin birth in true Dennis the Menace style: “ Mary are her new Hubbie (Joseph) are expecting a baby, with one teensy difference...God’s the Dad!” Santa pops up, only to have the stable door slammed in his face and the unusual constellation seen in the sky by the three wise men bears an uncanny resemblance to Bart Simpson.

The diocese of London said it had produced the material to ensure that the Christmas story felt “fresh and relevant” to 21st- century children.

The comics, which can be read online or downloaded from the diocese’s website, follow growing concerns that in multicultural Britain, many children do not actually know the Christmas story.

One survey has suggested that nearly half of children were not aware of the true meaning of Christmas. And it is estimated that only one in five primary schools now put on a nativity play to teach the children about baby Jesus.

The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dr Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London, said he was committed to telling the story of Jesus Christ in a modern way that was “accessible and appealing” to young people.

“Christmas is at the heart of the Christian Faith and I hope that these excellent teaching resources will provoke thought and generate discussion amongst school pupils throughout Advent,” he said.

Sam Donoghue, Children’s Ministry Advisor at the Diocese of London added that the Church wanted to help young people in understanding the occasion’s significance.

“We hope that the resources we have produced for schools tells the Christmas story in a different way that is not only exciting for pupils but also furthers their understanding of why we celebrate Christmas,” he said.

The comic books are part of an on-line teaching pack, which also includes assembly and lesson plans. They have been sent to London’s 479 parishes and 130 Church of England schools that have around 40,000 pupils across the capital.

In addition, a number of London clergy will be visiting their local non-church schools to help pupils of all faiths to learn about Christmas.

The teaching resources can be downloaded from www.londonchristmas.org.uk/children.