It’s time to restore real meaning of Christmas

LIVING as we do in a country with all sorts of cultural diversity now, I feel those who have spent their entire lives here are in danger of being overlooked.

Last Christmas I visited a hospital in a county town. There was no crib in the entrance hall and when I enquired about this I was told it was not there because our non-Christian brethren might be offended.

This made me very aware of the degree of dumbing down of the Christian message that is taking place. This year, greeting cards with a Christian message are very scarce. After all, it is the great Christian ethos of this country, along with our awareness of how blessed we are, that makes Irish people respond so generously to every appeal and to contribute way beyond our size as a country to every needy cause.

Since we are encouraged every day to be tolerant and welcoming and to understand those who have come to live among us, I now make this plea for Christmas ‘08... please let those responsibile for festive displays give pride of place to the nativity scene so that the real meaning of Christmas is emphasised. There are many Christians whose feelings are very hurt by the dumbing down of our celebrations. We are still a very real presence in Irish society.

Mary C Kelleher

Farranlea Park

Model Farm Road

Cork