Posted on 11/19/2002 6:17:05 PM PST by 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.
However, it doesn't appear to me that you've asked yourself the important retail questions: Is the floor space for the christian themed ornament or nativity going to be the most effective use of that floor space, or would that floor space be more profitable displaying this years Elvis Santa? Before you commit yourself to a lifetime of offense, first ask yourself if it's a business decision.
Down in the liberal hotbet of Austin, TX, there's a neighborhood that always puts on some sort of eclectic display each year. One year, in the back of a resident's VW Microbus, there was a display of the surgeon Mary (barbie in a doctor outfit) and little baby cheeses (lot's of little pieces of cheese).
They had some shop displays with Christmas lights and decorations, etc. But the last shot was--I kid you not--a display featuring Santa Claus hanging on a cross.
Very interesting point. As someone whose faith is rather tenuous, I need to remind myself of that fact during the Christmas season.
Well, yes, but it is rather inaccurate from a historical perspective, to say the least.
Time to get over your sense of superiority I'm afraid. Phrasings such as this sound--snotty.
I don't consider myself to be superior to anyone. But my commitment to the Christian faith, is real and serious. This is in distinction to those whose Christianity is quite superficial and cultural, who in all fairness are "Christians" in name only and who lack any real personal commitment to the Christian faith. This is a real distinction, not one I am just imagining.
Again, I don't know where some of you live, but I see Advent calendars and wreaths at many places.
They are available, but clearly those traditions typical of Adventide fall outside the cultural and commercial mainstream of Yuletide as presently celebrated.
They are advertising Nativity sets in this flyer.
Also advertised are lots of angels, in addition to the usual assortment of lights, ornaments, artificial trees, etc.
So you think Google holds the true origins of Christmas?
I prefer to do my research in the oldest library in the world, specifically in the book of St. Matthew (another saint, you wanna go ahead and call him a pagan like you did St. Nicholas? Here's an idea, if you wanna call someone a pagan, why not go talk to the mirror?)
To quote from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, Chapter 2:
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east of Jerusalem.
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Isreal.
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
BINGO! Same here.
Oh, because it pulls back about 10,900 results, you must think there is some veracity to that search?
Ok, let's put Google to the test:
alien origin of Christmas --59,100 results
christian origin of Christmas --86,500 results
midget origin of Christmas --985 results
underwater origin of Christmas --4970 results
hyphenated-word origin of Christmas --40 results
2 sheep origin of Christmas --16800 results (Oh my gosh, that search returned 6300 more results than the search on "pagan origins of Christmas". That must mean that YOU are the reason for the season! I never knew! /sarcasm)
LOLOLOLOL!!!
Thanks for the excellent post. You made your point very well.
Amen.
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