Bible Society has launched a Christmas initiative to educate people on the true meaning of Christmas - the nativity story.

This Christmas up to a million envelopes will carry an encouragement to read the Bible's story of the nativity with a link to a website where they can do so.

Bible Society has distributed a million colourful stickers for supporters to add to their Christmas card envelopes. Against a traditional nativity scene the stickers carry the invitation to 'read the Christmas story for yourself'.

Michael Pfunder, Bible Society's Development Officer said, "At a time when even the Post Office has removed the Christmas story from its stamps we want to encourage people to read the Bible's account of this great event."

He added, "We have had a massive response from our supporters. They have been phoning to request more stickers for themselves, their friends and their church."