The Christmas cards of the nation’s politicians have been the subject of endless discussion and analysis. "Festive greetings or subliminal political messages?" was the headline in the Daily Mail. "Political leaders blank Christ out of Christmas" wrote Gerald Warner in the Telegraph.
The Christmas card choices were all revealed a couple of weeks ago. The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, chose a Christmas tree decoration in the shape of Number 10’s famous door, hanging on a holly wreath. Conservative leader David Cameron’s card displays an image of a snow-covered tree and Big Ben transposed onto the party’s oak tree logo. Nick Clegg, the leader of the Lib Dems, chose a family scene drawn in felt-tip pen by his sons, Antonio and Alberto.
All three leaders have avoided religious references. Even ex-Prime Minister, Tony Blair, a Catholic convert and head of a religious organisation (The Tony Blair Faith Foundation) avoided any reference to religion and opted instead for a photograph of him and his wife.
It’s tempting to argue that the ‘secular’ cards are illustrative of an increasingly secular political culture, in which faith generally, and Christianity specifically is being marginalised. That, however, is self-evidently false. All the main party leaders have fallen over themselves over recent years to make positive noises about faith and faith groups.
Only a few days ago Number 10 Downing Street held a reception to celebrate Christmas and the contribution of
In November, David Cameron spoke about his faith and doubts to the Evening Standard, remarking “If you are asking, do I drop to my knees and pray for guidance, no. But do I have faith and is it important, yes. My own faith is there, [although] it's not always the rock that perhaps it should be."
Nick Clegg is the only atheist of the main party leaders but even he has always been quick to emphasise that he has enormous respect for people who have religious faith, that his wife is Catholic and that his children are being brought up in the Catholic tradition.
So, if it’s clear that politicians aren’t anti-faith, why the Christ-less Christmas cards?
In one respect, it's just politics. Christmas is one of the only times in the year when the party leaders send out communications at the same time. Their Christmas cards are about corporate branding. In choosing what to send, they are simply playing the law of averages. They all know their cards will be scrutinised by journalists and commentators, and they take the view that there’s nothing to be gained by taking risks. Why risk being criticised for wishing someone a Happy Christmas when you can get away with a ‘Season's Greetings’? Why risk a Nativity scene which some will (insanely) claim might alienate someone or other, if you can get away with a nice robin? Why risk a verse from the Bible which will allow some wit to brand you a biblical fundamentalist, when you can say nothing at all? In some ways, the choice of Christmas card is just one more policy decision.
There is a bit more to this, though. Behind the desire to avoid risks lies that modern myth that you can have a neutral public square, in which public pronouncements are of the kind that appeal to all and offend none. Public figures, especially party leaders, are called to serve the common good and should not go about deliberately making statements that they know will upset constituents. But every politician has specific convictions just as every public celebration - whether it is Remembrance Day or Christmas Day - is about something. Failing to recognise that simply beckons a bland greywash, both politically and culturally.
As with the policies they develop, party leaders should be bolder in their Christmas card decisions. Religion shouldn’t panic politicians. Christmas is the festival celebrating the Nativity of Jesus. That’s just a statement of fact. And it’s not the case that people are offended by ‘religious’ Christmas cards, anymore than they’re offended by a ‘religious’ Eid or Hanukkah card or a ‘Barclay’s’ Barclay card.
Happy Christmas everyone!
Paul Woolley is Director of Theos.
