Britain – Holidays and special occasions

Fill in the gaps in the text with the words from the list below.

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For about eight weeks starting around the middle of November, town centres in Britain adorn themselves with festive decorations. There are lights, illuminated Christmas trees, scenes, and so on. The only negative reactions to these come from people who see them as a to get us into the shops and part with our money. This of Christian symbols andthe goals of commerce is most obviously seen in the presence of Santa's in thedepartment stores.In recent years, however, many of these signs have been disappearing. Many local councils have taken the view that displays of specifically Christian symbols are offensive to followers of other religions in their multicultural town. So, for example, the Christmas lights are renamed the 'winter lights', nativity scenes are removed, and written messages of goodwill omit the word 'Christmas'. These local councils are well-meaning, but their actions are insulting. To assume that members of other faiths are by signs of Christianity is It also betrays ignorance. JesusChrist, for example, is one of the most revered figures in Islam. It was heartening, therefore, when in 2005 the town of Wolverhampton moved the other way. For the previous few years, the lights in the town centre had spelled out the plain message 'Welcome', but following the of a local Muslim councillor,'Happy Christmas'was reinstated.