Christmas is coming . . .

Well dear reader, here we are in November already, and so soon the countdown to Christmas will begin with magazines, TV, and newspapers proclaiming that there are only so many shopping days left until Christmas. Of course, for many people the whole focus of the Christmas Season is one of holidays and the giving and receiving (especially receiving) of gifts.

Already I have had a raft of 'Christmassy' things through the letter-box, ranging from charity gift catalogues to jewellery and clothing catalogues urging me to 'Buy now, in time for Christmas', and one well-known sofa company has included the all-important wording 'Order now for guaranteed delivery before Christmas' into their seemingly endless TV advertising programme.

It won't be long before the stories start to appear in the Press about the banning of Nativity Plays, or the use of Holly (it just might prickle the innocent bystander), or items warning about the dangers of attempting to roast chestnuts (they could, in a wild moment, explode) or of setting fire to the brandy-soaked Christmas Pudding which could, if the pudding is sufficiently gargantuan and the pouring of brandy sufficiently liberal, set fire to the whole house.

Yes, without a doubt the Jonah's and the Jeremiah's will be coming out of their hibernatory period in order to regale us with the latest bits of Elf 'n Safety information, all in the interest of protecting poor, unsuspecting, (potential) victims from the accoutrement's and trimmings of the Festive Season.

Of course it will be deemed absolutely necessary to do everything possible to remove any of the Christian symbolism from the Festive Season, just as attempts are made every year, something which has happened increasingly since the inauguration of a Socialist form government in the UK. This year the prize for coming first in the race for the most stupid piece of Christmas insensitivity goes to the Oxford City Council who have proclaimed that there must be no mention of Christmas in their (Christmas) Lights display this year.

Oxford Council chiefs have designated the period as a 2-month WinterLight Festival, claiming that it is intended to mark the various religious festivals from all faiths; festivals such as the Hindu Diwali, Jewish Hanukkah, and not forgetting (even though they would probably like to) the Christian Christmas. Strangely the Council Chiefs seem to be alone in their thinking, for the decision has been greeted with derision by the leaders of the various faith groups. The chairman of the Muslim Council of Oxford, Sabir Hussain Mirza, goes as far as saying that the decision upsets him, stating, " I'm really upset. Christians, Muslims and other religions all look forward to Christmas." Further condemnatory statements have emerged from Christian and Jewish leaders amongst others.

However you might like to know that Ed Turner, deputy leader of the Council who have banned the mention of 'Christmas', has promised that there will still be a Christmas tree erected --- or should that be WinterLight tree, Mr Turner?