"They can be a gift to grandparents or other family to put on the mantelpiece or by the Christmas tree as a reminder of our faith," Emily Budge said.
The senior pupils said they had reflected on how their school’s namesake, St Joseph, the husband of Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, was a carpenter by trade, as they had measured, cut and built wooden miniatures of Jesus’ birthplace in Bethlehem.
"They lived in Nazareth but they had to travel back to Joseph’s home town for the Roman census," Emma Knowles said.
The modern route between the two towns is 151km, and the pupils said it must have been a long, dangerous journey for anyone, especially a pregnant woman.
The census influx had outstripped Bethlehem’s accommodation, so the latecomers could only find shelter in a stable and the Christian king of kings was born in the humblest circumstances, they said.
"There was a lot of trouble and destruction back then. People were turning against what was right, so Jesus came to remind everybody how to get on and live a happy life," Sophie Irwin said.
The pupils said they felt Easter was the most important — and the more solemn — festival of the Christian faith, as it marked the most famous example of self-sacrifice in history.
They said because Christmas emphasised joy and celebration of the birth of their saviour, it was a reminder of the resurrection and the opportunity for redemption and rebirth for "everybody and anybody" by applying the example and advice of Jesus.
"At Christmas people travel around and get together with family and friends to share food and presents and all be happy together," Isabelle May said.
