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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