by Evie, age 8, asks who started nativity plays, about the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and Bristol’s trade history
Dear Santa,
Alright Santa, from Bristol. My name is Evie and I am 8 years old. Every year my school puts on a nativity play, and this year I was chosen to be a sheep, which does not have any lines, but my mum still cried the whole way through anyway.
My first question is: who first started the tradition of putting on a Christmas play?
My second question is geography: what famous bridge is Bristol known for?
My third question is from school: why is Bristol an important city in the history of trade and shipbuilding?
I left you a Bath bun, close enough to home, and a mug of hot chocolate.
Love, Evie, age 8, Bristol, England
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Evie, a Bath bun is a lovely treat, sweet and soft, thank you. A wonderful sheep performance, I am sure, deserves recognition too. Now, to that nativity tradition, and your other questions.
Who first started the tradition of putting on a Christmas play?
The nativity play tradition traces back to Saint Francis of Assisi, who in the year 1223 created a living nativity scene in Italy, using real people and animals to help his community understand and feel closer to the Christmas story. The idea spread and evolved over the following centuries into full performed plays, especially within churches during the medieval period, eventually becoming the school nativity plays so many children, sheep costumes and all, take part in today. So your school is carrying on a tradition that stretches back exactly 800 years.
What famous bridge is Bristol known for?
Bristol is home to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, a striking bridge designed by the engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, completed in 1864, stretching gracefully across a deep gorge above the River Avon.
Why is Bristol important in the history of trade and shipbuilding?
Bristol grew into a major port city over many centuries, its harbour connecting it to trade routes across the Atlantic Ocean, and it became well known for shipbuilding, producing sturdy vessels for exploration and commerce. That long maritime history shaped much of the city’s growth and architecture, still visible around its historic harbourside today.
Give your fellow sheep my regards, and I shall see you very soon.
Ho ho ho, Santa
