As my wife and I were about to leave Fashion Valley Mall today, she pointed out something odd, which you can see in the Featured Image and companion. Santa’s house in the lower center court is extremely non-sectarian.
From one perspective, since St. Nick is a secular invention, I can understand. But from another—and vastly more penetrating—viewpoint, “Merry & Bright” defies the spirit of the season and the birth for which it celebrates. Wouldn’t “Merry Christmas” be resoundingly more appropriate? Or did I miss something about the holiday’s name including that of he whose birthday we commemorate with gift-giving? (And mass consumerism.)
Is this the way of things now? Christmas without Christ? I wonder if the shopping mecca’s owner, Simon, takes this approach at its other properties or whether this is specific to Communist California, where the rainbow flag flies as sectarian symbol of narcissism and materialism. Remember the #metoo movement that sought to expose sexual exploitation? Me, too literally means what it says here in the Golden State. Meaning: Don’t forget about me. Whatever you got, give it to me, too.
How’s that for a little holiday cheer, eh?
I used iPhone 13 Pro to shoot both photos. Vitals, first: f/1.8, ISO 32, 1/327 sec, 14mm; 12:49 p.m. PST. Vitals, second: f/1.5, ISO 50, 1/753 sec, 26mm; 12:48 p.m.