Posted on 12/21/2004 6:47:16 AM PST by LS
I have to admit it snuck up on me. Oh, not the secularization of Christmas itself, but some of the tactics used to effect the de-Christianizing of the birth of the Messiah.
The first trick was, oddly enough, to get rid of Thanksgiving. This was done by pushing the "Christmas sale season" to somewhere around Halloween. By de-emphasizing Thanksgiving, the anti-religious people in our society managed to virtually get rid of a religious and patriotic holiday and replace it with a shopper's rush. Very clever. In the process, of course, this elevated the pagan "holiday" of Halloween to new heights---and no, I'm not a fuddy-duddy who refuses to "trick or treat," but it was brilliant how this celebration of witchcraft has become more important than the religious observance of the Pilgrims.
Next was the obvious one, and even I (duh) did not miss the de-Christianization of Christmas that has taken place. So-called "manger scenes" have been replaced with Santas and reindeer; "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays," blah, blah, blah. You all know the symptoms, and I need not repeat the examples of discrimination against Christians here.
What we need is a solution. This may sound odd to some, perhaps out of place to others, but it's the only way I can see for Christians to CLEARLY take back the birth season of Christ . . .
Start putting the cross in all our displays, messages, and decor, and in every way link the birth of the Savior to His death and resurrection.
People have said for years, "We need to put Christ back in Christmas." Well, somehow that hasn't worked, in part, I think, because it really has lacked a symbol. The manger? A manger is only a tiny part of the story, incomplete without the conclusion. But an empty cross is complete in and of itself---it is a self contained symbol of the birth (because Someone had to be born to die there), death, and resurrection.
Years ago, Far Hills Baptist Church in Dayton used to do a "Singing Christmas Tree." I'm sure many of you have seen these: a giant "tree" is built and people are the ornaments, and they sing Christmas songs. It lights up. Except at the end, one special set of lights appeared on the tree---a giant cross. God's plan of salvation began in a garden and ended in a garden; it began with a tree and ended on the tree, and today, we celebrate it, in part, with a tree.
I'm not sure how, exactly, to do this---whether to start putting a cross out with the reindeer, or in Santa's sleigh, or however (suggestions are welcome), but it seems to me that the most effective way to get CHRIST back into Christmas is to get the CROSS into Christmas.
What I can't figure out is what sort of electrical sockets could I get for all of the light bulbs? I would have to wire all, or half say, and then the other half, of the sockets together to plug into an outside outlet.
I would really like to do this with or without Mr. Adler, but I am stuck on the electrical hookup part of it.
I have also considered making one more like the one you describe that you have created and using Christmas lights on it as you have. Or, outlining a shape on plywood using
Christmas Lights. I am still considering the best (and prettiest) way to go. I am glad to hear someone else has done this so that it is doable.
And everything in between, just as our own births forshadow our own lives and ultimately our deaths.
I took two scrap fence slats, nailed them together (you can use any scrap 2x4s or similar) and slapped a little leftover stain (the same as used on my cedar siding) from my garage on it to make it similar in color to my house, and then took a string of white Christmas lights and stapled them back and forth on the slats until when lit, they outlined the shape. Then just run an extension cord and plug it in.
Fast and simple project.
Seeing Halloween as "pagan" but not Christmas and Easter especially.. is quite selective.. Actually the days of the week even are named after "pagan" "gods".. Thanksgiving is only as "pagan" as you are, or not.. same with the other holidays..
Christ came to make ALL religion obsolete AND DID...
Religion is only needed by psuedo-Gods.. What would a REAL God even need with a religion.?... Yes, even YOURS.. God knows who "it"(no gender)IS.. its the human RACE that don't..
The American Constitution celebrates a generic God, because if God is not generic, then God is the President of a Club.. which defeats the concept of a "real" god completely.. There are many "gods" in the world and in the United States too, but hopefully only one "real one".. Humans putting God in a box like a chimp fishing termites from a HOLE.. Looks, CUTE and interesting but it gets boreing after awhile..
Merry CHRISTmas, to ALL!
Given all the misery, hunger, and desperation that the guilt-ridden news media empties in our laps each Christmas, it would seem that it is by the grace of Almighty God alone that we survive until New Year's Eve. It might seem that way for good reason: It is that way!
More here:
http://www.jarbobayoutimes.com/
10-4 on simple. Your approach works fine. I have a five foot tall wood, lighted Cross in my yard, comes on automatically with the outdoor lighted Christmas trees. My neighbors comment on the Cross often. I also put the Cross up at Easter.
I haven't done that yet, but I've been thinking about it.
The ACLU needs to be destroyed. First thing is to contact your congress-critters and tell them to support legislation that will deny the ACLU (et.al.) our taxes to support their anti-christian lawsuits. Next thing is to donate to ACLJ, ADF, and/or other organisations that are counter-suing the ACLU.
A neighbor has constructed letters outlined in lights that says "Happy Birthday Jesus", no other ornaments, decorations, etc. just that sign which hangs in their picture window, big and bright for all to see!
Years ago, Mr. Alder had a friend with whom he had graduated high school who created a "Bah, Humbug" lighted sign which spelled out the letters in lightbulbs. The "Bah" would light up, and then the "Humbug" would light up, over and over. He set this sign outside of his window, on the porch roof, in the house he was living in when he was in college. I don't agree with the sentiment, but the sign was amusing.
Thank you for the directions. Stapling twinkle lights to the cross could be "just the ticket" as my grandmother used to say. Come to think of it, Grandmother would not approve of my putting up a lighted cross in my frontyard, too ostentatious, don't ya know. I still want to do it, though, whether or not Mr. Adler cooperates.
I hope he isn't opposed to putting it up, it could be that it's not worth it. Peace begins at home first.
Just my 2 cents.
The best way to put Christ into Christmas is to ignore the media hype and the timing sequence the media plays for us.
Buy the gifts you want to give all year long. There is no sale worth its hassle. Wrap all year and have all your gift shopping done by Thanksgiving Day. Spend Thanksgiving in the Lord and your family. Spend the next four weeks of Advent doing the homey and enjoyable things of Christmas, like setting up a tree and making cookies. You control the pace...not the culture or the sales brochures.
I do not collect snowmen or angels or Grinches.
I collect old nativity scenes, not the ones with children but the ones with integrity.
Tiny plastic ones or big ones...I love the story and I love the nativities...
Merry Christmas to Our Troops
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