No Xmas without Christ

Last week it was reported that in "Catholic" Spain a school had cancelled Christmas celebrations "not to offend children who are not Christian".

The move to deChristianise Christmas has long been going on in countries like the UK, for example. In London, where the "Christmas" spirit begins to be seen and felt almost three months before December 25, displaying a crib in public would give rise to comments and not a few would describe it as "fundamentalist". This year the Royal Mail has been accused of joining the anti-Christian bandwagon by issuing stamps sporting Santa Claus, a reindeer and a snowman rather than the Madonna and Child.

This attempt to obliterate the true meaning and spirit of Christmas has been condemned not only by Christians but also just as strongly by Muslims. On the initiative of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, a multi-faith forum has been launched. The forum, which includes senior members of the Muslim community and representatives of various Christian groups, has come out strongly against "the widespread secularisation of Christmas in the public and political sphere". It warned that removing religion from Christmas would provoke antagonism against Muslims, as they would be blamed for something for which they were not responsible.

The truth is that the "not to offend Muslims" excuse which is being applied not only in the UK but also in many European countries (and not only at Christmas time), is just a transparent ploy to hide the hedonism and materialism which have usurped the basic Christian values that have shaped the whole culture and way of life of the peoples and countries of Europe throughout the past two millennia.

Thankfully we cannot say that this "cultural" revolution has taken hold in these islands. However we cannot be too complacent, as the signs have long been appearing on the horizon. True, the crib is still a popular sight not only in homes but also in public places and commercial establishments. True also that the unique processions with the figure of the Child Jesus by the members of the Society of Christine Doctrine (MUSEUM) round the streets of our towns and villages are still eagerly looked forward to not only by children but also by grown ups. It is also a fact of life that the midnight Mass, despite the fall in attendances, is still considered a "must" by many.

However, nobody can deny that even in our country, with such a strong Christian culture and traditions, the attempt to transform this greatest of events in the history of humankind into a festival of consumerism, fun and pleasure-seeking has begun its earnest. No effort must be spared to ward off this attack which has had such devastating effects in other countries.

Let us rejoice by all means but for the right and only reason. X-mas without Christ is simply a delusion.