Only 26 per cent knew that Mary and Joseph were betrothed rather than married when asked about the story of the birth of Christ, according to the survey, the Daily Mail reported.
A further 37 per cent thought Santa Claus was the first person to visit baby Jesus where a majority believed he was sleeping in a Moses basket - not a manger, polling company ICM found.
Two per cent even thought Mary and Joseph were 'on their first date' when they found out she was pregnant.
When asked who first visited the baby Jesus, only 46 per cent correctly identified the Shepherds while almost as many thought it was the wise men, and 13 per cent suggested angels.
Over 2,000 children and parents were polled on behalf of the Bible Society about their nativity play knowledge.
Overall 98 per cent of those tested correctly identified Bethlehem as Jesus's birthplace according to the Bible
