It doesn’t feel quite right to be writing about Christmas in late October. Like the supermarkets that stock mince pies from September, few of us are yet in the Christmas mood (if you are, you are probably an ad-maker for John Lewis or an elf). Yet for the past year a group of us have been hatching a plan to try to build something special this Christmas. Of course it has always been about more than presents, decorations or the food on the table. It has meaning whether you are a Christian, a member of another faith, agnostic or an atheist. At its best it is a moment when we make time for one another. We open our homes, share what we have, reconnect with people and make room for those who might otherwise be alone. Yet at a time when Britain feels increasingly divided, there are some who seek to drag even Christmas into a culture war. Arguments about tradition, identity, religion and what it means to be British play out on front pages and on social media. Various groups and organisations (often including schools) are accused of trying to “cancel Christmas” usually on the thinnest of bases. Meanwhile, well-meaning institutions too often fall into the trap of thinking of Christmas as solely a religious celebration – as opposed to the civic celebration it has become. Another way The risk is that we turn a season that should bring people together into another battleground over who belongs, whose customs matter and what our country stands for. We believe there is another way, a different opportunity, and schools have a central role to play. “Together at Christmas” is part of “We Are United”, the first national initiative from Steve Chalke, one of the five enrichment ambassadors for the Department of Education and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Tapping into the power of Christmas, together we can build a bigger moment of connection, generosity and reconciliation. This is an opportunity to bring people together across the divides that too often define our lives, led by children and young people and enriching their understanding and educational experience. It’s a very simple idea. To use the month running up to Christmas to host “tables of belonging” for our local communities across the country. It might be a lunch, a festive coffee morning or afternoon tea. It doesn’t matter. The point is not the menu. It is the invitation to community members, neighbours, councillors, business, charity or faith leaders. Shared meal It is the connections and the opportunities to learn and lead. Because there are few more natural ways to bring people together than around a table. A shared meal changes the nature of an encounter. People who might never ordinarily meet can sit alongside one another, exchange stories, discover unexpected similarities and laugh together. Conversation becomes less formal. Differences become easier to navigate when people are relating to one another as human beings rather than representatives of a particular age or opinion groups. “Together at Christmas” is supported by an amazing range of groups. Some you might expect, such as various Christian charities – the Trussell Trustfor example – and churches, but also many secular organisation and groups from other faiths such as the Movement for Progressive Judaism or the UK Muslim Network. No one can solve Britain’s divisions over a Christmas meal. Building trust takes time, and sustained effort. But meaningful change begins with small moves that begin to build bridges, shape worldviews and enable people to see one another differently. United by values Our shared ambition is to support locally hosted children and young people–led community tables of welcome of all sizes – from 5 to 500 – across the country in the run–up to Christmas. Each will look different, but united by the same values of welcome, kindness, belonging and learning. All will be committed to the same goal: to demonstrate that “We Are United”. A meal can be a beginning, the first steps to understanding, relationship, partnership and support. A country is not held together by agreeing on everything. It is held together by the relationships we build, the generosity we show and the willingness to make room for one another. Together at Christmas is an invitation to be part of building a more connected Britain — one table at a time. Please join us. Find out how your school can register to be part of We Are United’s Together at Christmas at peopleunite.org.uk