The Christmas war is coming

Vanity | 11/18 | Wil H

[Wil H]

The Christmas shopping season is upon us and it seems that we have won the opening skirmish it the war with secularism to stamp out Christmas. Walmart have agreed to let Christmas back into their stores this year. That is great news but I am sure it is the power of the almighty dollar rather than the Almighty himself that drove them to that decision, but then, God does move in mysterious ways.

This year I am going shopping prepared and I invite you to join me in the campaign.

I am going to carry a number of letters, sealed in envelopes and addressed to the Store Manager. Any time I don't find any evidence of Christmas celebration in a store I will give the manager a letter and leave.

Here is what the letter says:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I came to your store today with the express purpose of spending a significant percentage of my $XXXX (put what you like in here) Christmas shopping budget.

However I note that your store chooses to no longer participate in the celebration of Christmas and therefore you don’t qualify to receive my Christmas dollars.

A quintessential part of Christmas is the sharing of the joy of giving and doing so in festive Christmas environment, it is estimated 95% of Americans celebrate the holiday and fortunately for them, and I, there are many other stores that embrace the Christmas spirit.

My Christmas spending, as I am certain many other’s, will be done with those that wish to share the spirit of holiday. Should you ever decide to participate again I will consider returning as a customer, until that time, ALL my business goes elsewhere.

Sincerely,

XXXXXXXX

Merry Christmas

If a substantial number of people did this, maybe the message that Walmart got would reach the other retail outlets and perhaps we could get our Christmas back into the public square. If the stores all start decorating for Christmas again do you not think think they will pressure the municipality to decorate the streets appropriately?

This year, Prescott AZ has street banners on downtown lamp posts declaring "Prescott, Your Christmas City" I might just take a trip there to do my Christmas shopping.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Last year, ours was the only outdoor Manger in the neighborhood. This year, I am adding a large motif of Santa kneeling before the baby Jesus. I'm also adding this cute guy:

Now, if I could also find a unique sign made of lights wishing our military a Merry Christmas, I'd rest happily for this year. :)

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Lol! I don't think the Dixie Chicks would be in agreement.
Lol!

[SuziQ]

Then don't give them your money! They are not robbing you of anything of significance; you still have Christ's Birthday, which I assume you must either celebrate at a religious service or a gathering in your home, or both. So do that, but don't be offended when a commercial establishment, which serves everyone, not just Christians, decides to cover its bases by acknowledging that there are at least two major religious holidays happenening in a specific time frame, and advertises with "Happy Holidays", to lure shoppers from BOTH groups who want to spend money in their stores.

If you want to reward one that says "Merry Christmas", do so, but don't scream and yell "boycott" and "insensitivity" at the ones who don't; just don't shop there. By making all this fuss, it DOES make the celebration of Jesus's Birth seem like nothing more than a commercial endeavor, which is, I assume, NOT what you want.

[linda_22003]

Yeah, well, pick the hill you want to fight and die on, I guess. For me, shopping isn't the meaning of Christmas.

[EGPWS]

You can't honestly think that the members of the ACLU hate Christmas and do not celebrate it?

They would celebrate it compassionately if they weren't too busy trying to destroy it as a holiday icon.

Sometimes work just gets in the way. ; )

[Tax-chick]

By making all this fuss, it DOES make the celebration of Jesus's Birth seem like nothing more than a commercial endeavor,

I agree. "They're offending my religious beliefs by not using my religious beliefs as an advertising ploy two months before a religious holiday!" Huh?

May I wish you a very happy Independence Day? It's just around the corner!

[tflabo]

No need to "punish" all the retailers. Christians should only frequent those establishments that are 'Christmas friendly' and avoid those that refuse to honor the name.

Idea....is there or devise a list of major retail outlets with pro/anti christmas themes and distribute via net and blogs. Also distribute to the retailers as well.
FOOLS..they reap profits off the very name they reject yet benefits them.

[EGPWS]

For me, shopping isn't the meaning of Christmas.

: - )

[linda_22003]

I'm glad you're happy and that it works for you. I cannot imagine asking my husband if I'm allowed to buy something. :)

[Right Wing Assault]

afa.net has a nice compilation of corporations which support Christmas and those which declare Christmas to be disrespectful.

You can also go there and sign the petition being sent to Wal-Mart concerning their $60,000 support for the homosexual agenda. I'm not a Wal-Mart hater, but this ticks me off. https://secure.afa.net/afa/activism/signpetition.asp?id=1630

[EGPWS]

Peace on Earth, Good will too men...

[norton]

If you watch the commercial, she clears the table to open the gift box.
They're letting the viewer jump to conclusions - it's funny.
Apart from that, I'm not shopping there either but don't expect much better from their competitors.

[SuziQ]

May I wish you a very happy Independence Day? It's just around the corner!

*snort* And a Happy Valentines Day to you, too! ;o)

When I go out shopping, near Christmas, I always say "Merry Christmas" to the store clerks. Sometimes they smile and say "Merry Christmas" right back, because I, in a sense, have given them that opportunity, and they know I won't be put off by it. Sometimes, they just say "Thanks". Either way, I'm going to have a "Happy Christmas".

This year is gonna be a challenge because hubby is unemployed, by choice, we're in the process of remodeling our home to sell it and move, and we're trying to hold down purchases of anything that's not crucial. The kids are all older, and they'd understand if they didn't get any gifts, but I just can't do that; I like having something under the tree for them. I haven't even STARTED shopping yet, and will likely do most of mine online, as I did last year, so whether or not the commercial establishments advertise it as Christmas or Holiday shopping means nothing to me.

[zerosix]

Target will still not allow Salvation Army bell ringers but chose to make a large (tax deductible for them) donation.

PC way around the bad press of not allowing Salvation Army (which reminds people of God's Salvation coming to earth through the Son). It was the joy of having people donate (whether or not taxable to them NOT Target) that the Target folks felt was so "unseemly" during the "Holiday/Winter Festival Season."

[Tax-chick]

Different systems work for different people. For me, it's good manners, because he's the wage-earner; and practical, because I don't want to buy something if there's no money in the bank to pay for it.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I don't recognize "Christmas shopping season" as a sacred event, sorry.

I regard shopping at this time of year as penance. :) I am actively dreading having to go out this afternoon but I don't have a choice in the matter.

[Kirkwood]

"particularly the slut who clears the table for sex when she sees her boyfriend at the door with a "happy holiday" Best Buy package"

Wow, is your mind in the gutter! She clears the table to open the package. Still, it is a stupid ad that actually makes me want to buy fewer gifts.

[Kirkwood]

Congress recognized the Christian holiday. They didn't make up a secular holiday and decide to also call it Christmas.

[HarleyLady27]

This isn't the meaning of Christmas....where did you get such a stupid idea??????

This is saying something that goes back to our childhood, with Santa and the raindeers, and the mistletoe, and all the things of Christmas.....its just saying MERRY CHRISTMAS....

Why do you nay sayers have to be so sour....why can't you just see what this is for what it is...why put something totally different on it....

Be human for a change....I know better than all what the true meaning of Christmas is...I don't need you to ruin the spirit of christmas, and above all, you won't and you know why....you don't know the 'spirit of christmas' thats why your so sour.....

[dogbyte12]

This whole thing is absurd. We spend 6 weeks on black friday, christmas sales, church attendance huge.

Christians used to be thrown to the lions, crucified. Now people flip out if a retailer doesn't say Merry Christmas. This is a drummed up thing, I am sorry. Christianity is practiced by over 1 billion people, the church is economically vibrant, the US has a huge population who goes to church every Sunday.

Yet, Best Buy or Wal-Mart saying or not saying Merry Christmas, or instead saying Happy Holi(holy)days instead is something folks have their panties up in a twist about? Come on. We are just so easily offended these days. I am personally offended that we want to mix religion and commerce. Render unto Caesar that which is of Caesar.

The religiousity that we will get by mixing it with business is not something I want to partake of exactly. Wal-Mart's guide to the Passion portrayed by a bag of Sam's Choice Dog Food as Pilate. Maybe they can turn a microwave into the cave where Jesus was buried too. What is wrong with people?

I am prepared to be flamed.