The Year Christmas Died: New York’s Fifth Avenue is a celebration of pretty much nothing

Wall Street Journal ^ | Decemeber 23, 2015 | Daniel Henninger

[C19fan]

As we moved into December and what for some time has been called “the holiday season,” the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Tennessee issued a “best practices” directive for the campus to “ensure your holiday party is not a Christmas party in disguise.”

A Christmas party in disguise? Has it come to this?

Aghast state legislators got the directive rescinded, but the Christmas killers will get the last laugh. In fact, they’ve already won. This is the year Christmas died as a public event in the United States.

We know this after touring the historic heart of public Christmas—Fifth Avenue in New York City.

[C19fan]

I believe Mr. Henninger is based on NYC so I am not sure if he has not walked Fifth Avenue for a couple of years now. The windows at Saks has been let us say Post-Christian for a long time. The funny thing is all the females in my wife still luv it. But he failed to mention Sake does an amazing light show on the store's façade with this year's version using the David Forester version of "Carol of the Bells". I really enjoyed the Lord & Taylor displays. There was this beautiful clock with animals. Maybe the windows were non-traditional this year but it was still very nice. The one thing I do miss from when I was a kid was a lot of the airlines had offices on Fifth Avenue and many of them would have train sets using scenes from their home country. But those have disappeared as the airlines closed their offices in the computer age.

[Old Sarge]

This is the year Christmas died as a public event in the United States.

Truth.

[kearnyirish2]

The most bizarre thing is the commercials saying there are “x number of days left!” without mentioning Christmas. 8 days left until what?

Absurd.

[detective]

“The funny thing is all the females in my wife still luv it.”

How many females are in your wife and why is it funny?

[detective]

“The funny thing is all the females in my wife still luv it.”

How many females are in your wife and why is it funny?

[al_c]

[Old Sarge]

How many females are in your wife and why is it funny?

Have you seen his wife?

(ducking)

[KeyLargo]

[HonkyTonkMan]

Key, are those real? Man this is not the America I know and love.

[native texan]

The truth about Christmas is for years we complained about Christmas becoming more and more commercialized. Now we see that can’t hold the truth. Truth is that Christmas is a celebration of the Soul and our connection we have with Christ. Libs or BLM or Obama can’t take that away from Christians.

[rarestia]

Libs or BLM or Obama can’t take that away from Christians.

You're right... they CAN NOT. But that won't stop them from trying.

[KeyLargo]

Opinion Commentary Notable & Quotable

Notable & Quotable: Inclusive Holidays at Cornell
‘Winter Holiday Displays/Decorations that are Consistent with Cornell’s Commitment to Diversity and the University Assembly Guidelines’

Dec. 23, 2015 6:42 p.m. ET

From Cornell University Fire Safety Guidelines For Holiday Displays

University members are reminded to be respectful of the religious diversity of our students and colleagues and are encouraged to use an inclusive approach in celebrating the holiday season. Individuals and units demonstrate this inclusive approach by:

Focusing on the winter season rather than a particular holiday

Displaying symbols that visually represent holidays of several religions in combination with secular decorations of the season.

GUIDELINES FOR INCLUSIVE SEASONAL DISPLAYS

Winter Holiday Displays/Decorations that are Consistent with Cornell’s Commitment to Diversity and the University Assembly Guidelines:

Snowflakes

Trees (in accordance with Fire Safety Guidelines) decorated with snowflakes and other non-religious symbols

Winter Holiday Displays/Decorations that are Consistent with University Assembly Guidelines But Should be Basis of Dialogue Within Unit or Living Area

Trees decorated with bows, garland and lights (in accordance with Fire Safety Guidelines)

Wreaths with bows (in accordance with Fire Safety Guidelines)

Combination of snowflakes, (in accordance with Fire Safety Guidelines), Santa Claus figure, and dreidel

Holly

Winter Holiday Displays/Decorations that are NOT Consistent with Either University Assembly Guidelines or the University’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusiveness

Nativity scene

Menorah

Angels

Mistletoe

Stars at the top of trees

Crosses

Star of David

http://www.wsj.com/articles/notable-quotable-inclusive-holidays-at-cornell-1450914140

[laconic]

How can he say that the Administration has targeted Christmas?? Why just the other day the Washington Post “newspaper” had an article about what a wonderful Christian the man is.

[Old Sarge]

Isn’t Cornell at Ithaca?

[Bookwoman]

Yes. Ithaca.

[dhs12345]

Our public elementary school had almost a nonexistent Christmas celebration this year. Just a half an hour sing a long of government approved songs. We used to have a giving tree that helped less fortunate kids this time of year - no more. Very sad too since it was the highlight of the holiday season for us.

[V K Lee]

If true, o-residents transformation must be near completion. In Texas Christmas be be dead in retail stores in decorating for the holiday, but be certain their employees are still around to sell, sell, sell and take any cash handed their way. Perhaps this might be the time to take our memories of Christmases of old and bring them to life once again. No retail hype, spending sprees with dollars few have. Rejoicing on a personal level with loved ones.

[DCBryan1]

[VanDeKoik]

It certainly isn’t what it was 30 year ago.

But then again, maybe this will shake out a lot of the fluff and cheese that it has drowned in over the past 60 years.

I’ll gladly take the Christmas celebrations of 120 years ago.

[rlmorel]

LOL, had to post it. Haven't seen it for a while.