Sir, The problem with the Beckham Nativity scene (letters, December 9) is the fact not that the characters are ordinary, but that they aren’t.

The ordinariness of most of the figures in the Gospel story is what makes it acceptable to dress children up as angels or shepherds, or to portray the local butcher as a wise man. Depicting them as celebrities suggests that the Incarnation is some sort of media event, removed from the lives of ordinary folk. This, of course, is the very opposite of the meaning.

Yours faithfully,
STEPHEN E. HEARD,
43 Speed House,
Barbican, EC2Y 8AT.
December 10.

From Mr Tony Baker

Sir, A Vatican spokesman considers the Madame Tussaud’s Nativity scene to be “in very poor taste” (report, December 8).

Has he visited the Vatican gift shop recently?

Yours faithfully,
TONY BAKER,
8 St Mary’s Avenue,
Harrogate HG2 0LP.
December 8.

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