Business wants to put Christ back in Christmas

Store has invited groups and individuals to sing at store's entrance

SIKESTON --Working in retail, where Christmas items are often on display before Halloween, it's often easy to have some 'bah humbug" feelings by the time December rolls around, Susan Hampton, store manager of Super D in Sikeston, has learned over the years.

So this year, she decided to help put the Christ back in Christmas and go back to the holiday's roots. Decorations will have a bigger focus on Christ's birth, and the store has also invited groups and individuals to sing at the store's entrance through the month.

"What better way to lift people's spirits and to remind them that Christmas is Jesus' birthday?" said Hampton. "We want the community to know where we stand and that we are about the birth of Jesus Christ, even though we are a retail store."

And the idea appears to have gone over well.

"We have really gotten a tremendous response from the community," said Hampton. She said she would like to make the Christmas caroling an annual event.

Several school and church groups, as well as other organizations, have already set up a time to Christmas carol, and others are in the works, said Hampton. "And I have calls coming in every day of individuals and groups who plan to join us."

Second through fifth grade students at St. Francis Xavier are scheduled to sing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 19. Nic Antoine, principal, said he and others were excited when presented with the idea.

"And we figured that if we could give glory to God and someone is asking us to do so, then we would," said Antoine. "We are very appreciative of the opportunity."

Antoine said the school is contacted by several places to sing, but Super D's request was unique because it is a store and corporation, not an assisted living facility or other place that commonly asks for carolers.

Hampton agreed, and said that the idea for the Christ-centered celebration is something that trickled down from the owner of the company.

"He is a very religious man and, every year, in our sale flyer, includes a story abut the birth of Jesus," she said. "He really stresses that and wants the community and customers to know that's important to him."

Hampton said she hopes that, since the store is adjacent to another grocery store, people who walk in while groups are singing will be uplifted and have a change of attitude.

"They're thinking about presents and cooking," she said of customers. "I think this little Christmas caroling will remind them that it's all about Jesus and family. I think this will revive that spirit that kind of gets buried this time of year."

And the tunes provide something one can't get by simply listening to recorded holiday music.

"When it's live out there, it will remind them of the real meaning and what all this hustle and bustle is all about," said Hampton.

And so far, customers have given several positive comments.

"They are just praising us, saying that even though we are a retail business, it's so refreshing that we are willing to step up and say Merry Christmas and that it's Christ's birthday," said Hampton. One of the cashiers there, Rachelle Godfrey, is doing a lot of decorating, including some artwork. While painting the nativity scene, she's had a lot of questions about what is going on. And after she explains the store's stance this season, "Amen!" is a common response.

All are invited to come out and hear the carolers who will sing in front of the store, located at 702 N. Main. Positions to sing remain available for schools, churches and organizations. Anyone that is interested can call 472-0777 and ask for Hampton.

Who is singing?

Several groups are in talks to set up a time to sing Christmas carols in front of Super D in Sikeston.

The following are set:

> Joyful Noise of Perryville and the First Baptist Church will perform at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 13

> Megan Massey and The Girls Night Out Group from Miner Baptist Church will perform at 4 p.m. Dec. 13. Later that evening, Massey will also sing with the Marriott Family.

> The Green Memorial Church will perform at 4 p.m. Dec. 17.

> At 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17, Assembly of God Church Missionettes will sing

> St. Francis Catholic Schools is set to carol at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 19

> At 10 a.m. Dec. 20, the Community Baptist Church will entertain

> Spirit Life Ministries is set to perform at 1 p.m. Dec. 20

> The House of Prayer from Cape Girardeau will sing at 2 p.m. Dec. 22