As we prepare to spend our last Xmas in France I once again wonder at this policy of keeping ‘church and state’ separate that the French have. Thoughout the year you never really think about it – but at Xmas time it becomes very obvious. And like I said – I wonder about it.

Now, I cannot speak for the whole of France but in our region it is the absence of the essence of Xmas that I notice more than anything. Yes, they put up the decorations – the town and village Mairie each string up the street deco’s and lights – and the shops have everything draped in tinsel. So they do acknowledge this time of year – but one thing you wont see is any evidence of who Xmas is all about…

Jesus Christ. The Baby Jesus. This is where I wonder why on earth the French even bother about Noel. In this country where every town and village has a Roman Catholic church, and each city has a cathedral, you will not see any sign of Jesus – or Mary and Joseph – no nativity scenes at all. It’s not allowed you see…

The one thing that really struck me on my first Xmas here in 2004 was the absence of carols being played in the shops – it’s not allowed you see…

You will see Santa Claus in the shops but no Baby Jesus - it’s not allowed…

So why on earth do they bother - why sanction a festive season (and everything here has to be sanctioned by the Govt before it can happen) and at the same time forbid the mentioning or display of the very symbol of Xmas…?

I am all for separating Church and State – having a National Religion forced upon a population does have it’s disadvantages as we can see in other parts of the world – but surely just for a short time each December, just once a year, it would not do any harm to bend the rules?