The magic of Christmas

Sir, - Being a lover of the glitz and glitter that go with Christmas, I strolled this week from Grafton Street to Henry Street…

Sir, - Being a lover of the glitz and glitter that go with Christmas, I strolled this week from Grafton Street to Henry Street to admire the seasonal fare in the windows of some of the big Dublin stores, Brown Thomas, Marks & Spencer, Penneys, Clerys, Arnotts, Roches Stores et al.

I was very impressed with what I saw. The displays in some of these windows rival anything you'd see in London's Regent Street or Oxford Street.

However, one thing was missing, and that omission marred an otherwise enjoyable stroll. I couldn't find a traditional Christmas Crib on display in any of these windows.

I suppose it is history repeating itself. Two thousand years ago, there was no room for the infant Jesus in downtown Bethlehem. Now there's no room for him in downtown Dublin.

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I have no mandate to speak for anyone other than myself, but I believe that I am expressing the views of many Irish people when I say to the stores: "Mo naire sibh!" - Is mise,

Sean O Briain, Bre, Co Chill Mhantain.