A FATHER who loves the Christmas season has built a nativity set in front of his mother's home to help keep festive spirits at a time that can be a financial struggle for some.

Mathew Gregory, 31, from Oxford, used recycled Christmas scrap wood, sheets, blankets and cotton to create the scene of Mary and Joseph in a stable.

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Despite no longer living with his mother in Rose Hill, he still creates decorations every year at her house.

Oxford Mail:

He said: “I’ve been doing it now for five years and people always come by and ask her ‘when is your son starting the Christmas theme, what is he doing this year as every year is different?’.

“I moved out a few years ago but still have to find time to do this as people always ask to see it. This year I stripped it back and went to where Christmas started and made a manger with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in a crib.”

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His friends, family and the public come to play in the front garden with the snow machine that he also runs at certain times and people take selfies in the set.

Mr Gregory, who works for fishing company Drennan, also has a projector where images such as snow, ‘The Grinch’ and ‘Father Christmas’ look as though they are in the house.

He added: “It’s very entertaining and people stop for a few minutes to watch and record so it makes me happy to lift spirits and help the dark streets light up.

Oxford Mail:

“All it cost me was time and effort to keep spirits alive for the public.”

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The festive scene looks different in the day and night as some areas can’t be made out until it gets dark.

Mr Gregory said another reason why he has built the nativity this year is because he wanted to see his daughter, Kasie happy.

He said: “It was also to keep my daughter Kasie’s dreams and hopes alive and make her see the magic and feel Christmas for much more than just presents. The gift of love, light, hard work and magic.”