Ilkeston - Shop Windows
At Christmas
w/e 12 December
2004
All
this week's pictures were taken with a Kodak DX6490
Many places and organisations
in the UK have taken political correctness to the extreme and
have banned Nativity scenes, festive decorations and prohibited
staff from enjoying Christmas lunches. They have also curtailed
the advertising of carol services as well as several other draconian
measures. Some stores have even decided not to have a grotto
for children to visit Santa Claus as this takes up valuable retail
space. When challenged the reason most commonly given is that
it is believed that Christmas celebrations are offensive to followers
of religions other than Christianity. Surely by the same reasoning
they should be banning festivals such as the Hindu and Sikh Diwali,
the Jewish Hanukkah and the Muslim Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end
of Ramadan as these are offensive to Christians. But are any
of these celebrations, including Christmas, "offensive"?
I think not. I read that the following words come from a holy
book: “Behold (O Mary!),” the Angel said, “God
has chosen you, and purified you, and chosen you above the women
of all nations. O Mary, God gives you good news of a word from
Him, whose name shall be the Christ (Masih or Messiah).”
That holy book is not the Bible but the Muslims' Koran. So
why would Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, offend
Muslims? Islam acknowledges Jesus as a great prophet and
like the Jews who do not accept that Jesus was the son of God,
their religions teach similar values of love and peace.
In the UK all faiths are able to live in harmony side by side
and respect each others beliefs. I ask again then, "How
can Christmas be offensive to anyone?" Fortunately, Ilkeston
along with the majority of towns in the UK is holding on to tradition
as can be seen throughout the town and there is just as much
Christmas cheer as in previous years.
Holly wreaths and fir trees
are much in evidence in two shops on South Street as Christmas
approaches and many shop windows throughout the town are decorated
in keeping with the festive season.
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The butcher, also in South
Street, has posters advertising traditional Christmas fare including
chickens, ducks, beef, pork, hams and of course, fresh turkeys.
Boards on the pavement in front of his shop detail many more
of his products and all say that orders are now being taken.
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It's a similar story across
the road too at the baker's where some traditional Christmas
decorations surround the cakes, breads and pastries on offer.
Come Christmas Eve and shoppers will be queueing outside the
shop to pick up their produce which will be flying off the shelves
like hot cakes (excuse the pun).
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The butcher, the baker and
not quite the candlestick maker but a candle or two would not
be out of place in the dinner party setting that graces one of
the windows in the Co-Op store. This is obviously aimed at a
more adult sophisticated generation than the window in the same
store packed with toys to excite and enchant the younger members
of the town. There is a grotto in the store and Santa will be
visiting each Saturday to meet the children.
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Meanwhile on Bath Street,
this is just one of several shops selling cards and Christmas
novelties to enable the season's greetings to be sent to families,
friends and neighbours both near and far.
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And further down Bath Street,
one trader has taken up temporary residence in a vacant shop
to sell all manner of decorations in the lead up to Christmas.
Christmas is offensive? Bah! Humbug!
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