If Mario Tabone is disillusioned by a teacher's cavalier treatment of Santa Claus (December 20), he would probably be made distraught or even destroyed by the Nativity scene in the arrivals hall at Birmingham International Airport.
This comprises a magnificent snow-filled display, probably over 30 feet long, with life-sized figures, a large wooden stable and a crib. From a distance and at first glance, it is indistinguishable from the traditional Christian scene. However, on closer inspection it can be seen that, in order to make it politically correct and so inoffensive to non-Christians, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds have been replaced by dancing polar bears. Presumably the three wise multi-ethnic bears will arrive later.
In the crib, the Christ-child has been replaced by a teddy bear.