10th December

Advent and Christmas is a time when we talk a lot about light and seeing.

• We might invite people to enter the stable in their imaginations and ‘see’ the child in the manger.

• We might talk about Jesus being the invisible God made visible in his incarnation.

• We work hard to create environments in our Churches that invite people to pause and ponder and wonder at the stable scene.

• We might present nativity plays where Mary, Joseph, shepherds and angels tell the story in appropriate costumes.

In all of this, think about how blind and partially sighted people are going to participate. You can build descriptions into what you say, and you could give opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to touch your nativity figures. You can talk sensitively about light and seeing and look at all the liturgies, readings and words of carols you use for the inappropriate and insensitive use of the language of disability. You could publish your Christmas orders of service on your website in good time before the service so people who would like to or need to can familiarise themselves with the words and what is going to happen. In all of this, think about how all people are going to engage with and participate in your Christmas services. It is a time when many visitors come to our Churches. Let’s make everyone feel welcome.

For children, who need something less abstract, why not get some tactile crib figures, for example.

Next day: 11th December

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