San Diego Christians Upset Over Sudden Absence of Nativity Scene From Lawrence Welk Resort
December 15, 2006
(SCCN) -- It's something to look forward to every year, at one of Escondido's prize attractions. The Lawrence Welk Resort dinner theatre is once again hosting the "Welk Musical Christmas." But this year many ticket holders were taken aback to find upon their arrival that some Christmas cheer was lacking.
"We were surprised to see that the Nativity Scene that is there every Christmas was replaced by a display of Christmas trees," said Jeff McGreevy of San Diego.
The missing navitiy caught the eye of McGreevy, as this born-again Christian is not ignorant of the fact that nativity scenes all over the nation seem to be in danger of extinction. Christians in cities too numerous to name all across the U.S. are seeing that nativity scenes have been left behind; left to gather dust on in their storage sheds. Once again, it seems there is no room at the inn for the baby Jesus.
So McGreevy followed up by calling the Lawrence Welk Resort. "A contact person named Sean Coogan told me that the nativity scene was not done this year due to weathering of the nativity set, people stealing the baby Jesus, and the "other side of the issue."
"I took that as a reference to the people who do not want it there," McGreevy told SCCN. "Sean said what they wanted to do was a Rockefeller Center type of theme."
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The Welk Resort promotion of the 12th Annual Welk Musical Christmas boasts of carrying on the traditions of the Christmas spirit.
However one tradition has been left behind--
the nativity scene that greets show-goers every year has been replace by display of Christmas trees.
Backlash from Christians may prompt the resort to reconsider their abandoning of the nativity scene
next year.
But it seems McGreevy isn't the only one who's made his concerns known to the Welk Resort. Representatives there said they have been getting feedback in support of the nativity scene, and they are going to take another look at displaying it in the coming years.
"I got the impression that there might be a chance of the nativity scene being started up again next year," said McGreevy. "I mentioned to Sean that I had a Santa Monica newpaper article from December 2005 which told how Lawrence Welk in the past financially supported the City of Santa Monica so that the Santa Monica Nativity could continue.
"I emailed him a copy of this article and voiced my support in favor of the nativity scene there."
Coogan tells SCCN that the powers-that-be at the Welk resort will meet before year's end to discuss the nativity. McGreevy and many other ticket holders hope they will reconsider putting up the display, though it's too late for ticket holders who've been flowing in since the show opened in November.
"We want people to know that San Diego still remembers the reason for the season. And that is Jesus Christ, our messiah."
