America has always been a melting pot of people, ideas and cultures. But the trend lately seems to be sliding more to the idea that we need to worry more about what minorities think and feel then the majority. The headline in this Fox News story says it all
Christmas Festival Nixes 'Nativity Story' Ads Over Fears of OffendingOh, but it gets better.
Non-Christians
CHICAGO AP A public Christmas festival is no place for the Christmas story, the city says. Officials have asked organizers of a downtown Christmas festival, the German Christkindlmarket, to reconsider using a movie studio as a sponsor because it is worried ads for its film "The Nativity Story" might offend nonChristians. Neww Line Cinema, which said it was ropped, had planned to play a loop of the new film on televisions at the event. The decision had both the studio and a prominent Christian group shaking their heads."The last time I checked, the first six letters of Christmas still spell out Christ," said Paul Braoudakis, spokesman for the Barrington, Ill.-based Willow Creek Association, a group of more than 11,000 churches of various denominations. "It's tantamount to celebrating Lincoln's birthday without talking about Abraham Lincoln."
The city does not want to appear to endorse one religion over another, said
Cindy Gatziolis, a spokeswoman for the Mayor's Office of Special Events.
Well, I am glad we got that cleared up. I was afraid that the Jews and Muslims would have to find another name for Christmas, oh, that is right, they don't celebrate Christmas. I think we have carried the diversity banner a little too far. Maybe it is time we took back Christmas as our celebration - the birth of our Savior, Christ the Lord.
But there is hope. I found this website Not in My Town that is taking back Christmas.
Many places in our country seem to have abandoned the real meaning of Christmas.
Many American towns, communities, and even governmental policy makers have
thought it best to replace valued principles with political correctness. The
very essence and core of Christmas is about giving. We have been given the
ultimate Gift, Jesus Christ, and it is the reference to Him that some are
seeking to silence. Instead, they seek to convey a "generic" message that is
void of real meaning and purpose. The truth is, you may "dress up" this season
with "happy holidays", "merry x-mas", or even "seasons greetings", but without
celebrating the reason FOR Christmas, well, quite frankly, there IS NO
Christmas! Without THE Gift, there are no gifts!
Politics should never silence purpose, marketplace "madness" can never replace meaningful celebration, and fads can never triumph over family. "Not In My Town" is a grass roots movement dedicated to keeping the spirit of the season alive and at home in our hearts! "Not In My Town" is not a "religious, right wing" offensive expression, nor is it an abuse of our first amendment right. "Not In My Town" is really more of a relationship philosophyÂ… our relationship to the ultimate Gift, and our sharing and celebrating the life of this Gift with each other! We are passionate
about sharing and restoring the very foundations of Christmas--love, family, and
giving THE GIFT back to towns all across our country. Some may feel that
an "X" sufficiently covers the purpose, meaning, and reason for this wonderful
season. Perhaps some placesÂ…but NOT IN MY TOWN. How about yours?
Merry Christmas. There I said it. For me, no more "Happy Holidays". I was careful to pick out the Christmas Cards that actually say "Merry Christmas" and I listen to the Yahoo "Christian Holiday" station at work. Small steps, but each journey starts with a step.
1 comment:
I liked your post. I agree that it is a shame (or a sham) that Christ has been knocked out of Christmas.
Just a thought, though, about the X-mas thing. Aaron Koch had this comment about X in a sermon about the Apostle Andrew:
"Eventually, Andrew’s death was decreed. He would be crucified on a saltire, a cross in the shape of an X. It is said that Andrew greeted his cross with these words: “Hail, precious cross, that has been consecrated by the body of my Lord, and adorned with his limbs as with rich jewels. I come to you exulting and glad: receive me with joy into your arms. O good cross, that has received beauty from our Lord’s limbs; I have ardently loved you; long have I desired and sought you: now you are found by me, and are made ready for my longing soul; receive me into your arms, taking me from among men, and present me to my master; that he who redeemed me on you, may receive me by you.” Andrew preached Christ for two days on that cross, continuing to point people to him, before his suffering finally ended and he died."
Indeed, Christ's coming is what we celebrate, but not just His birth. More importantly, we celebrate His death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Just a thought, but maybe X-mas is one way we can look at the reason for the season!
Just a thought, love ya sis!
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