De-stablising Christmas?
November 14th, 2008 by 
italker
Well I never, thanks for your post Jackie regarding the upside down Christmas Trees. I see John Lewis the Department store was selling them last year. So what is it all about? The word on the street is that its not some plan to destablise Christmas,(for give the pun), rather it is a marketing gimmick to sell trees that will be more child friendly.
The selling point is that it leaves more room around the tree for presents. I think there is something not right here. Do we not suffer from too many presents at Christmas. Certainly the children in many homes get more than they need. Perhaps the slogan “less means more ” might work for Christmas unplugged
The promoters say that it even has a Medieval Christian tradition promoting the idea of the Trinity. Well what ever it seems pretty crazy to me we certainly won’t be turning our tree upside down, but you know what I’m still interested in finding ways to help us unplug Christmas from all the commercialism of the past few decades. Sanctuary First our monthly Alternative Service will be exploring the theme “Christmas Unplugged” this coming December. I’ve started writing the material. Its going to be an adventure exploring the meaning of humility. Keep reading the blog and keep looking for the unplugged Christmas ideas. If you have any how about sharing them.
Posted in Advent Material, Worship | 
November 15th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
The world has eventually went mad. In my opinion Upside down Christmas trees have nothing to do the the Trinity but more of a marketing ploy by the “gods of commerce” to make this a fashionable accessory to have in your home this Christmas, and help them beat our current recession. I believe that its peoples lives who are upside down, they have got there priorities the wrong way round. An idea would be to make Jesus “ashionable”this year and forever, after all we do celebrate it because of him.
Then we can have the Churches “sold out” just like the shops with the UD Trees.
An idea for Sanctuary First might be to write a “Wish List” which had NO monetary value. heres mine.
1. Go to watchnight service and celebrate Christmas for its true meaning.
2. Wake up in the morning to a crisp snowy day.
3. Make a Snowman with my kids.
4. Play a family game.
5. Spend time with my family.
6. Have a early night and NO dreams about Boxing day sales.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
i am sorry but they look like green chandeliers… ^^/
November 17th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
After being utterly lost for words for a while, and making sure that our local DIY does not stock them, Danielle, you are quite right, chandeliers, if anything!
Our children would be utterly disappointed as they still know what a tree looks like for real - but sadly that cannot be said of everybody, can it; do not forget, milk comes out of cartons….
November 18th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Helmut and Danielle
Your right. The world is crazy and even crazier when it comes to Christmas. Its time to unplug it and klet the real Light shine