Baby Jesus has been brought back to Ilford town centre, thanks to generous donations from community groups and churches.
A fibreglass nativity scene was installed outside Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, on Tuesday (December 19) much to the delight of campaigners who were calling for a Christian depiction in the ‘capital’ of the borough.
The nativity scene came about after the Recorder asked readers if they would like to see a nativity scene alongside all the commercial events planned in the town centre and a whopping 83per cent of 600 respondents said yes.
Lay preacher, Lesley Hilton, then spoke on our front page calling for the community to come together to make one.
She said Christmas is about peace and love and not presents and amid the emphasis on spending money, a religious symbol should be installed in Ilford.
“I am calling on residents to come together to create one - it should be possible,” she previously told the Recorder.
British Pakistani Christian Association chairman, Wilson Chowdhry, came forward to finance the scheme and said he had been asking Redbridge Council for a scene for the last five years.
Along with High Road Baptist Church and Ilford Asian Church he galvanised groups into action.
“I cannot express the joy I feel in having finally returned one of Britain’s oldest Christian traditions to our town centre,” he said.
“For millennia Christians have been creating nativities to display and even just 30 years ago, most shops on the high street would have displayed one too.
“Modern culture often marginalises the Christian faith, however here in Redbridge most faith groups and their adherents have a good relationship with one another.
“The figurines themselves represent people of diverse backgrounds, a shepherd, three Magi from more exotic nations, Joseph, Mary and Jesus and several animals too - it could not be more inclusive.”
Leader of Redbridge Council Jas Athwal said following the Recorder coverage council staff worked closely with the British Pakistani Christian Association to ensure that a nativity scene could be installed as soon as possible.
“I’m delighted that a local group has come forward to bring a nativity scene to Ilford town centre,” he said.
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