Why are Retailers Embarrassed About Christmas?

11.20.02 | mlmr

[mlmr]

The Christmas stock is out in the stores. There are scads of snowmen, Santas, reindeer and other items craving for your dollar. But interestingly enough, when one asks for religious Christmas items, at most stores, which serve a public that is conservatively estimated to be about 67% practicing Christian, there is nothing for sale.

No Christian based ornaments, hardly any Nativity scenes, and Christmas card... “Well Lady, I have robins, joke cards, Santas, dressed and nude, as well as lovely winter scenes and smart looking graphics.” Nativity scene? Magnificent reproductions of famous religious Nativities painted by the Masters? Ummm...no.

Some clerks make a weak smile and point out their extensive angel ornaments...others are belligerent and say firmly: "No we don't carry that sort of thing here." One owner said she did not carry religious Christmas items because people would be offended.

Guess what? I am offended. Every time I walk into a store decked out in its Christmas finest and cannot find any religious Christian items, I am offended. Every time I walk through huge displays of Christmas knickknacks and have to hunt to a bottom shelf of dark aisle to find a small nativity or Christian Advent calendar, I am offended. Every time a walk into a store with a brimming Menorah display, but no equally brimming nativity display, I am offended. (I have nothing against Hanukkah, I just want my religious tradition upheld with respect too. After all we are talking about 2% of the US population versus 67%.)

It is odd. When I talk to clerks about the availability of religious items in their stores, most also tell me that many people ask for them, but there just isn't anything available. Funny, that there is a need and no will to fill it.

I am equally offended by the Christians who are oblivious. Who no longer expect their tradition will be honored by having its items made available through retailers. Christian who don't want to rock the boat. Christians who don't want to seems too pushy or too religious.

I recommend that all thinking Christians go into retailers and ask where the Christian religious objects are located. If there are no religious objects available, perhaps it is time to tell the retailer how disappointed and offended that your religious tradition is being dismissed.

So I have decided to be offended...and to let people know...that true plurality honors even the faith of the majority and dominant culture. I encourage you to do the same...it confuses 'em when we use their words and phrases against 'em.

[dsutah]

The only thing is, is many old Christmas-time carols and hymns use the word 'holidays'. There's that song: "There Is No Place Like Home For The Holidays". Also, a lot of old carols, and Christmas-time songs like: "Jingle Bells", "Winter Wonderland", "Silent Night", "Here We Come A Caroling", "Happy Holidays", "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", etc. You do like to listen to those do you?

[dsutah]

I do. Yes, we are lucky in many ways. Say what you will about Mormons; but you won't see too many Mormons with this attitude! You can be sure this won't creep in on them. Well at least I hope they don't! Even other churches here, will always appreciate them being there, even though we may gripe about them at times for other reasons. When it comes to political correctness and brazen, bossy leftists, we all stick together in the trenches! Otherwise, in this state, other minority religions tend to stick together instead of fight!

[dr_lew]

I refuse to shop for Christmas gifts in a store which refuses to use the word "Christmas."

Mia's Christmas Gallery

N.b. Fontanini Nativities

... It's been there a few years now, but I've never been in it.

[dsutah]

Yeah, don't I know! Here, Christmas advertizing starts about after Halloween, goes on nonstop until- the day after Christmas and comes to a screeching halt! Christmas carols on the radio after Christmas? Forget it! In the stores, the day or two after-It's Valentine's day! (uuuurkkk)After Christmas decorations, forget it! They're out the door with the after Christmas sales!

Two days after Christmas, you wouldn't even guess it had been Christmas! I get to the level that I can sit down, relax, and enjoy Christmas, and it's over! Sheesh! Whatever happened to the "Twelve Days Of Christmas"? It's eat, drink, and be merry, because tomorrow it's Valentine's Day!

But anyway, at least we can still celebrate Christmas without Mr. or Mrs. 'Diversity', or 'political correctness' bossing us around, and ruining it. Well at least, not yet!

[dsutah]

I don't think it's so crazy! I've often thought that it would be so nice to give my family a little something every day until Jan. 6. It's tempting! Because as I mentioned to someone in another post of mine, around here it's "Eat, drink, and be merry; because tomorrow it's 'Valentine's Day'!

If you go into the stores after Christmas, you'd never think we just celebrated Christmas at all! Decorations are gone, Christmas music in the stores and radio are gone, etc.. It's like a long, fast, exciting, wild ride from Halloween to Christmas Day, then it comes to a screeching halt the day after!

[dsutah]

I know. One of our parish(R.C.)pastors said that he went to one of their services once. He said it is truly beautiful, but you do stand almost all the way through! It's a lot like one of our masses in many ways though.

[dsutah]

I know. One of our parish(R.C.)pastors said that he went to one of their services once. He said it is truly beautiful, but you do stand almost all the way through! It's a lot like one of our masses in many ways though.

[dsutah]

I read somewhere once; that in Italy, they have so many nativity and religious displays around; that little children and young people enjoy looking at them as much as seeing Santa Claus!

[Happygal]

Sarcasm eh?
Go again. ;-)

[Salvation]

My way to approach this is to ask for the Biblical cards, creches, etc.

When they reply that they don't have them, then I reply,

"Sorry, I guess I won't be doing my Christmas shopping at your store." Could I please speak with the manager?"

And then I tell the manager why I will not be shopping at their store. They need to know.

[Salvation]

And then take your business to the closest Catholic or Christian store that stocks these items.

[jimtorr]

I was reffering to the name "Santa Claus", as a Dutch transliteration of the Greek or Latin Saint Nicolas. St. Nic. himself was a Roman of Greek extraction, a citizen.

He lived and worked in the province of Lycia, in what is now western Turkey. He became the archbishop of Myra, the capital of Lycia, where his good works became known and where he earned his sainthood. He died in Myra in 342.

[mlmr]

I say Merry Christmas to everyone. You would be surprised at the startled looks and then smiles I receive.

[mlmr]

Absolutely. Let them know what their behavior looks like from this side of the fence.

[mlmr]

the reality of Christ's birth and death and resurrection is only about a billion times more powerful and awe inspiring than the words "Merry Christmas" on a Hallmark card....

There is no one who agrees with you more than me. And the reminders of Christ's birth, death and Resurection are being eliminated from our markets and public squares.

[cyncooper]

There's a history behind candy canes too :-)

I heard this story for the first time last year when I was assisting teaching a religious education class. I kept a copy, and this year am teaching my own class.

Thank you for reminding me to find my copy so I can share it with the children this year!

[ladylib]

Singer was a Jewish family. They put up Christmas decorations in their store, but they demanded that the creche in the middle of the town be taken away and the schools not put up Christmas decorations (separation of church and state). They got what they wanted too.

[mlmr]

Our family traditions are similar. I understand the Yuletide and Advent difference. We need to recognize and put Advent back into the public square.

[mlmr]

Thank you I will let you know....

[ncpastor]

I was looking for some internet clip art the other day and went to the Microsoft site - did a search for Christmas and came up with 64 pages. Narrowed the search to 'religious' and got 8 pages. Can you say IRONY?