Corporate America has quietly and purposefully removed more and more of Jesus and the Christian faith from the celebration of Christmas. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth and the first six letters in Christmas spell Christ. During most of America’s history, the connection between the Christmas holiday and the birth of Christ, has always been celebrated and the focus of most Americans. Nobody pretended that Christmas was anything else because it isn’t.
Hallmark stores were always one of the places where Christmas was most on display, starting every November, and that meant many depictions of Jesus, the Cross, the manger and the Christmas star. These things are part and parcel of the celebration of Christmas and Hallmark was one of the dependable retailers that celebrated Christmas for what it really is.
No more. Today, I received a 27-page promotional booklet from the local Hallmark that is meant to bring customers into the store for the Christmas season.
Looking at the cover, I knew something was wrong right away. The word “Merry” was front and center, but somehow, inexplicably, the word “Christmas” did not follow it this year. As a matter of fact, throughout the entire 27-page booklet, there is not one depiction of Christ, not even as a baby, and not one depiction of a manger, a Christmas star or the Cross. The word “Christmas” only appears one time as part of a product description and there are three pictures of products that have the name Christmas on them.
Hallmark has purged Jesus and the real meaning of this important holiday from their promotional material. It doesn’t mean anything to a national retailer today to disrespect or dishonor an entire segment of the American population and their faith in order to be politically correct instead. Especially if that population are Christians. Hallmark figures that they won’t fight back or complain. The Christians will just roll over and take the insult to their faith and their Savior.
This is part of the problem; a complacent group of people who are willing to see their faith purged from the American landscape and removed from the public square while they sit on the sidelines. This is what has been happening in recent years and Hallmark has made a corporate decision to shift this purge into high gear.
And why not? There won’t be any pushback, no boycotts, no riots or protests; no impact on Hallmark stores or sales. People will just continue to shop Hallmark for items for the “holiday.” You know, that holiday when people put up trees and ornaments and lights on their homes. That generic holiday when people give gifts and put up stockings. As Hallmark says on the cover of their circular, it is the “holiday” gift guide.
What a great way to cap off an abysmal year. A pandemic, thousands of deaths, national riots and looting, followed by a purging of the very origin of a holiday that is about faith, love, wonder, awe, neighborly love, giving and the promise of eternal life.
Thanks for nothing Hallmark. Thank you for disrespecting the faith of millions. Thanks for doing your part to remove the Savior of the World from your “holiday” gift lineup. Thanks for kowtowing to the minority of people who loathe and hate Christians, or the minority of Atheists who claim that any image of Christ or symbol of Christianity offends them. I wonder what portion of your customer base those people make up?
Christians are the most persecuted group in the world today. In places like the Middle East or northern Africa, the very safety and livelihoods of Christians are threatened daily.
America, a nation that was founded by Christians and based on Judeo-Christian traditions and beliefs has traditionally been a safe and inviting place for Christians. It has been a place where mangers and Christmas stars could be put out once a year in late December. It has been a place where the wonders of Christmas and the love and joy of the holiday could be celebrated by all without offending anyone. Why should it?
Today, that is no longer the case. Hallmark has stated clearly to its customers and the world that the origins of this “holiday” must be swept under the rug. After all, this is progress and Hallmark is a progressive company. Maybe Christian people can choose to shop elsewhere.
Merry Christmas to all and may the love of Jesus, and His message of hope, bless you at Christmas and throughout the year.
