@Hotgps It sounds like Christmas in their world is an event that, while hosted by the nobility, includes commoners as part of the celebrations be it as taking part in festivities or as labor.
Could be that the church may try to lessen the reputation of the nobles by making Christmas flop and try to blame it on the nobles. "We're spending all of our money in trying to help those in grave need, the wealthy nobles should have been able to make up for our "measly" sum."
Though it's obviously not clear what side of the moral compass they're on. I'm hoping that they are well meaning, since I'm tired of the "corrupt clergymen," troupe too.