A popular European retailer has removed a Christmas sweater from its line of merchandise after Christians took offense to the sweater’s messaging. The retailer, Debenhams, featured the purple sweater on its website with the phrase, “A Gay in a Manger” written across, a play on the popular Christmas hymn, “Away in a Manger.” The shirt also sported an image of a manger, where baby Jesus is said to have been placed in the New Testament scriptures, but instead of Jesus, the manger featured a rainbow.

The product faced immediate backlash from prominent Christians and Christian advocacy groups. Andrea Williams, of Christian Concern, called for a boycott. “The company producing these products should be boycotted,” she stated. Christian Concern posted to X demanding an apology. “Disgraceful that @Debenhams were selling this product. A full public apology must follow.” .Former Tory MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg wondered if the retailer would be so bold to mock any other religion. ‘Debenhams would not mock Islam in this way,” he said. Pastor Rikki Doolan of the Spirit Embassy shared a similar criticism. “The main issue at hand here is, if you are going to mock people’s faith then why do you only do it to Christianity? What is it that makes you feel it’s ok to do it to us? Unless you have gay Muhammad and Buddha T-shirts that we don’t know of?”

Debenhams is now an online-only retailer and had featured the shirt on its website, which was produced by Grindstore. Following the backlash, the shirt was pulled from Debenhams’ website. A mug with the same phrase was also removed. Debenhams issued a statement after removing the products. “We are aware that a product line featured on our marketplace has raised some questions. In line with our policies, we are reviewing the products and have temporarily paused them while we investigate.” Grindstore also released a statement. “As a small business we are always open to listening to feedback. We have now removed the highlighted products, our apologies … the intention was not to offend or insult anyone.” Grindstore also removed other religious-themed products such as “ah-men” greeting cards.