Christmas in Chicago. Where's Jesus Christ? Not in the Christmas decorations in Chicago.
CLICK HERE to VIEW: CHICAGO CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS (slideshow)
CLICK HERE to READ: CHRISTIANITY INCREASES THOUGHOUT THE WORLD
For a Christmas article, driving around Chicago to report on how the Chicago governmental and municipality buildings and their grounds are decorated for the holidays was a pleasurable experience.
CLICK HERE to VIEW: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD (slideshow)
Going downtown to the loop to pass City Hall, Daley Plaza, Millennium Park, and more was somewhat of a hassle with traffic and all, but the mission was accomplished by taking photos of seasonal decorations and various other signs of the holiday season. Though governmental locations were minimally decorated, there were other loop locations that reminded one and all that the season is upon us. The infamous Chicago Art Institute wreath was placed around the lions’ necks as always. A lone horse-drawn carriage was decorated as the vacated buggy was prancing southward on State Street. North of the Chicago River on Michigan Avenue, white lights lined both sides of the streets via the otherwise-naked trees standing.
Tree-wise, per usual, Daley Plaza had its ‘holiday’ tree which was lit a few weeks ago by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and there was an attractive tree all lit up in front of the John Hancock Center to be enjoyed by passers-by. Naturally, business areas such as the ones along Michigan Avenue north of the Chicago River and in front of Navy Pier, were bright with holiday illumination.
To the south, however, decorations were less than plentiful, and few photos of decorations could be taken. Likewise, the situation to the west of the downtown area showed little sign that Christmas is practically here. To the north, some neighborhoods decorated their areas a bit more than was found in the south and west portions of the city. For example, Old Town along Wells Street between Division Street and North Avenue graced their permanent ‘Old Town’ street signage with bright red ribbons. Lakeview along Halsted had its street signage plastered with signs of the season.
Shortly into the project, it became apparent as to what was missing in current Christmas decorations. Christ!
In years past, there was an ample sprinkling of manger scenes and Christmas decorations involving the Christian holiday. Of all the decorations viewed during the first tour of the city, only one holiday display had a reference to religion. On South Pulaski Road, one house - with its staircase to the front door lit up - had a snowman on the left side of the stairs and Mary – Mother of Jesus – on the right. Other than this observance in ‘Chicago decorated for Christmas,’ Jesus Christ has been shunned for the likes of primarily bright white lights, as well as bright colored lights, illuminated Santa Claus faces, full-bodied snowmen, and an abundance of huge wreathes and red ribbons.
When Emanuel said he was lighting the ‘holiday’ tree – rather than a Christmas tree - a couple of weeks ago, he didn’t say that Chicagoans can’t have Christmas decorations. But from the looks of the sparsely Christ-like, Christmas-decorated city this year, one would almost think he did.
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