Faith

Philly‘s Christmas Village Gets ’Holiday’ Makeover

Posted on December 1, 2010 at 2:25am by Meredith Jessup
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For the past three years, Philadelphia’s German Christmas Village has hosted festive booths and Christmas tree vendors in Dilworth Plaza located near city hall. But this year, the village’s arched entrance labeled “Christmas Village” will be replaced with “Holiday Village.”

According to local news reports, the request for the change came from Managing Director Richard Negrin. City spokesman Mark McDonald said Negrin made the request after the city received complaints from nearby workers and residents. “As a city of great diversity, one shouldn‘t be surprised that there’s a difference of views when it comes to symbols and words,” McDonald told the Philadelphia Daily News.

In addition, McDonald said the city is working on an official policy to address such events set up on city property in the future.

The German American Marketing Inc., the company which runs the Christmas Village every year, is reportedly happy to accommodate the city’s request, but noted that brochures and posters would keep the “Christmas” title. “People have to go to public buildings. They shouldn’t feel offended,” the company’s spokesman said. “It’s been very successful the last two years. People like the name. We built it like a German Christmas market. We did not think a lot about it.”

Though the Village is clearly focused on Christmas, the Daily News adds that ornaments and decorations sold at the event are “largely of the secular variety, like elves, Santas and colored balls,” interspersed by an occasional nativity scene.

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Comments (29)

SemperCivis4Ever
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:36pm
These Communists-Socialists-Anarchists got their strategy from a movement called DADA which merged with the Progressives in 1918. This has been conveniently revised out of history so “they” can implement their covert agenda. This societal disease is NEVER TO BE DIAGNOSED, because the cure is simple and peaceful and we get to laugh them out of existence.

Progressive-Dada (their true name) politic fully explained here: http://www.marcrubin.com/dada2.ivnu. This online video and short essay, created by Marc Rubin, will open your eyes and connect the dots for you. Marc has been fighting them for 35 years. He learned all about them from Salvador Dali who was the front line warrior beginning in 1920, but nobody knows that because history has been revised. Thats what they do.
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rbcintexas
Posted on December 2, 2010 at 10:38am
As a Christian, it offends the hell out of me when they take Christ out of Christmas in a country founded on Judeo-Christian values.
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dontbotherme
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 8:45pm
Who were the nearby workers & residents that complained? We have the freedom to practice our religion in this country. One simple word – CHRISTMAS. The only one who abhors the name of Christ is satan. No matter what the contents of the fair, the name of Christ simply cannot be tolerated by evil. This is an attack on freedom.
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bob44044
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 7:20pm
People need to stop going to the German Village. When there pockets are hurt that’s when there veiws will change. If you fail to act, they will shove more of their anti-Christmas juck down owr throats. Stand up folks, grow a pair.
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grandmaof5
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 6:45pm
If I lived in Philadelphia and went to this event every year, I would stay home this year. If others want their religions represented then rent space and do it yourself – don’t insult Christians. Anyone not celebrating Christmas should be working, not getting the day off, and the same goes for Easter. Talk about hypocrits.
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Cmt
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 6:40pm
I am a resident of Philly and completely disgusted with the City’s actions. I have already contacted the Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s offices. No response. I also contacted the head of the organization who runs the CHRISTmas Village. I did get a response but it was more PC junk. I also contacted our Councilman for my district. Many citizens here are outraged by this action and are speaking out. It is a huge topic in Philly right now and several different council members are introducing policy tomorrow to return the village back to its original name. I’m tired of PC BS forcing Christians to hide their beliefs and practices. We have a giant Menorah on display across the street from Indepence Hall but we can’t have a Christmas Village? I support displays for any religion who wishes to celebrate but I wish we could receive the same support. Oh, by the way, the village always has sold items for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa in addition to items celebrating the true meaning of Christmas which is the birth of Christ.
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needanotherReagan
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 5:22pm
If a Ramadan village were set up in the same place I wonder if anyone would ask them to change the name.
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Bernard
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 4:21pm
This is political connectedness taken to an absurd level. Simple common sense would dictate that there would not be a holiday if not for the Holy day of our lord’s birth. Remove the event of Christ birth and then there would be no need for a holiday.
This is based on the simplest level of common sense. The people responsible in removing the word “Christmas” to relabel it “holiday” on the flimsiest excuse that it may “offend” some. The only people it would offend are the atheists, communists and the Muslims. This nation is a nations where the majority of people adhere to Christianity. It is our culture that is being attacked, for Christian culture dictates the celebration of holy days such as Christmas and Easter Sunday.
This act like so many others and is “in-your-face” deeply offensive to all Christians. If these people who find the word Christmas is so repugnant to them they have the full rights to have a similar celebration of the holiday. The season of Christmas is also the season of Hanukkah for the Jews. If Christianity has to suffer the stings of atheistic dogma why are they not going after the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah? Maybe because the Jews will not in any way tolerate intolerance garbed under the term of Secularism.
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wash1776
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 4:01pm
MORE miserable, evil, self-serving COMMUNISTS AT WORK.
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pamela kay
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 3:23pm
I pray that their sales go down the drain and that the people of the city reject this 100%. Time to stand up America. Refuse this pathetic ploy to eliminate Christ from the very celebration of his birth. Pray and God will lead the way.
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flagbearer
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 2:51pm
Does anyone know where (if in the Bible) it has been written that in the last days it will become harder and harder to be Christian? When I first read that over twenty-thirty years ago, I wondered how that could possibly happen. I’ve looked for some time, but I can’t find it in Scripture. Is there anyone who knows where this was written? I also wondered how America could possibly change so drastically as to allow the emergence of world government. Well, guess what.
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nick e l
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 2:22pm
Hey you people… Don’t support it.. Find a wealthy conservative and ask them to help start a Christmas tradition on private property and let the progressives have their… whatever they do.
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prd1
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 1:45pm
The United States was formed in Christianity, By Christians. Islam, Kwanza ( what ever that is , more than likely just made up by the black community looking for some form of identity ),Budism, Hinduism , etc.,etc.The founding fathers were diong their best to get AWAY from all that.
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hackerinco
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 11:12am
It’s a holiday alright!! A Christian Holiday.
Give Me a Break!!!
These people (pc dummies) are MORONS!!!
Jesus is the reason for the season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He was a gift to us(mankind). God still extends His gift to whoever will accept it!
John 3:16.
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Right in Oregon
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 11:08am
Christmas is a federal holiday, period, end of discussion. I have my own little movement not to shop at stores who refuse of say Merry Christmas or stores promoting “Happy Holidays”, etc. I would like to see all Christians celebrate the real reason for the season and any commercial entitiies that don‘t promote ’CHRISTMAS’ boycotted. The retail stores, craft-fairs, Christmas tree lots all depend on us to support their businesses with our dollars and why should we do this if they don’t support our holiday?

If we stand together and keep our dollars in our own pockets, we can bring them to their knees. Let’s start a new tradition – give gifts from the heart that are homemade with love.

I say – Christians unite and stop this PC garbage. This is a Christian-Juedo nation and we need to keep it that way.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
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- TheRevInCo
  Posted on December 1, 2010 at 11:20am
  Amen, and Right On to that Right In Oregon.
  Isaiah 9:6
  The “Best” gift anyone could ever want! Given Freely.
  Receive it(Him) today!
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- nick e l
  Posted on December 1, 2010 at 2:25pm
  Good for you.. and that is exactly what we do here in lala land San Diego. You don’t support Christmas, you don’t get our money. Period.. I hope you business owners read this stuff!
  Report Post »
untameable-kate
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 10:40am
I want to go to Philly and visit the Christmas village.
I don’t see why people are offended by Christmas, I am not offended by other peoples religion or holidays, I wish they would leave us alone to celebrate our most sacred holiday.
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- mrlogan3
  Posted on December 1, 2010 at 6:37pm
  We seem to be on the same page somewhat today Kate. I agree, it’s cool with me if people want to celebrate anything else, but I don’t like when something is clearly only Christmas related and the term “holidays” is used. That bugs me a little. I was with our family at a CHRISTMAS TREE farm. The kid that helped me take the tree to our truck left me with a “Happy holidays.” That confused me. I only know of one winter holiday involving evergreen trees.
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EqualJustice
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 10:38am
Why are we NOT allowed to celebrate Christmas? Isn’t this part of our right to FREEDOM OF RELIGION? If someone if offended, go celebrate their own Holiday. No one is stopping THEM?
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- slade37
  Posted on December 1, 2010 at 11:11am
  It’s political correctness out of control. Christmas and the American flag seem to offend some people so we correct things for all to avoid offending the few. The people in charge (hearing the complaints) have no backbone so they force others to adapt or leave. In the case of Christmas, those making the complaints view public events using the word “Christmas” as a violation of the separation of Church and State. Meanwhile, any organized public event involving other faiths probably would not have to change its name.
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- bookofwisdom
  Posted on December 1, 2010 at 1:45pm
  I agree with you. December 25th stores all over America will close. They do not close for any reason other than to celebrate “Christ Birthday”. That is why it is called CHRISTmas. If people stood up for their rights and stopped letting non-Christians run over them we would not have this problem. May God Bless.
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a_lady_patriot
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 10:36am
I’m wondering when they are going to figure out the Santa is a Saint – he ‘ll have to go. The kids will revolt!
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- mrlogan3
  Posted on December 1, 2010 at 6:34pm
  Santa is not a saint anymore, more of a rampant consumerism spewing demon.
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mrlogan3
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 10:33am
I think a lot of information is missing here, such as how the village would change. If it simply includes Hanukkah and Kwanzaa figures and items, that’s alright but holiday PC does aggravate this liberal.
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- EqualJustice
  Posted on December 1, 2010 at 10:40am
  Funny you say that, in the schools here they learn about Kwansa and the Jewish hoidays, every kid knows how to play the Dradle game, Muslim and Islamic tradictions, everything BUT Christianity? It’s nuts.
  Report Post »
- Flagwaver
  Posted on December 1, 2010 at 11:10am
  Isn’t it amazing that the city is officially telling Christians they cannot officially practice their religion? Wait… I thought there was something in the Constitution about that…
  Report Post »
- cessna152
  Posted on December 1, 2010 at 12:17pm
  Hmmm.. Christmas trees, Reindeer, Candy Canes, Ginger bread men, Santa…. Yup, sounds like a plain ole’ holiday to me. No Christmas here, move on now.
  
  Do these morons think people are “buying” the PC BS anymore? That’s like so 2008….
  
  They can try to deny God any way they want, but people see through their BS!
  Report Post »
- SemperCivis4Ever
  Posted on December 1, 2010 at 1:58pm
  Do you want to know why the forces that want to kill God, Liberty and Art are prevailing? Its called Progressive-Dada (their true name) politic and is fully explained here: http://www.marcrubin.com/dada.ivnu. This online video and short essay, created by Marc Rubin, will open your eyes and connect the dots for you. Marc has been fighting them for 35 years, ever since being the youngest person to ever hang in the Art Institute of Chicago.
  Report Post »

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