A child’s-eye view of Christmas

The children of Worlingham Primary School talk about the meaning of Christmas and what they love most about the festivities

It's the most magical time of year – and in words and pictures some of the pupils of Worlingham Primary School, near Beccles, tell us why.

The children have already celebrated with Christmas plays, parties and carol services and as they looked forward to the big day, they talked about why we celebrate Christmas, and what they enjoy most about the festivities.

'What I love about Christmas is giving presents to others. The reason we celebrate Christmas is because it's the day of the Saviours birth,' said 10-year-old Alfie Forkes. Like all the children at this church school, he was very familiar with the story of the first Christmas – as well as the magic of Father Christmas.

Working in twos, with an older pupil paired with a younger, the members of the school council gave a child's eye view of the meaning and the fun of Christmas.

Presents, and a special birthday, were also on the minds of Eloise Bailey, aged 10, and Georgia Reavil, aged five, who together drew a picture of a Christmas tree together and said: 'The best bit about Christmas is the presents under the tree and spending time with family and friends. We celebrate Christmas remembering the birth of Jesus and the many people who came to worship him on his birthday.'

Hettie Ogborn-Rich and Cordelia Smith, aged 10 and eight, drew a huge star of Bethlehem and added: 'What we love about Christmas is when we spend time with our family and when we give presents to friends and then we receive presents from them. The reason we celebrate Christmas is because Jesus is born on the 25th and that's the day the kings and shepherds gave gifts to Jesus. Jesus then gave a gift of love to thank them for being there.'

Poppy Goodwin and Imogen Lay, aged eight and six, drew a countdown to Christmas including stars, santas, angels, an elf, a king riding a camel, holly, lights and a baby in a manger, and said: 'We celebrate Christmas so that we remember when the special little baby Jesus was born, and especially love the arrival of their elves on the shelf at the beginning of December – and the extreme excitement of the advent calendar countdown reaching 24!'

Amber Muttitt, aged seven, and Brodie Reavil, aged nine, drew Santa disappearing down a chimney, leaving his reindeer and sleigh poised for a quick rooftop get-away. Their favourite thing about this Christmas, so far, has been taking part in school plays.

And Eva-Rose Edwards and Ava Hastings, aged six and eight, are dreaming of a white Christmas with lots of presents and family fun: 'We love it when Santa comes and leaves footprints in the snow, opening presents, giving presents and spending time with my family. We celebrate Christmas because it's the day the kings came to the stable and gave Jesus presents.'