From Gibson's column: ...every December around Christmastime, sacrament turns into a bummer, at least for me. Almost every year, Jesus Christ seems to be a bit player. I don’t know who is to blame. Maybe bishoprics are instructed to have “Christmas Sunday” appear as just another Sabbath in the ward house, with a couple of religious carols thrown in the mix as a nod to the holiday...Every year I convince myself we’re going to have a real Christmas Sunday with talks on the Lord’s birth and the congregation singing Christmas carols along with the ward choir, and, well…
Mormons, isn't it time to have a "real Christmas Sunday?" Come worship in a church this season that truly honors the birth of the Lord Jesus.
From Gibson's column: There are not-too-subtle conflicts...the prophet’s birthday is Dec. 23.Although Joseph Smith, for all his recognition, is not the same as Jesus Christ, there have been occasions where “Praise to the Man” is sung more often than “Away in the Manger” on Christmastime Sunday. But most of the time there’s just a maddeningly frustrating neutrality about Christmas, Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ. Take the most recent sacrament meeting. The opening song was “The First Vision,” and then the bishop reminded us that during this season we should remember the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith. That seemed an appropriate nod to the man and I was encouraged that there were two Christmas carols and three talks left on the program. But the talks, which bookended a ward choir Christmas carol, were not about Christ’s birth, although they did capture His spirit. They were well-prepared, informative and spiritual talks that would have been appropriate for any sacrament meeting, but why can’t we have had talks about the birth of Christ? Is there some edict against it? ... Christ shouldn’t get the bump like a diet book author waiting his turn on a Letterman show that runs too long.
Christmas is for Jesus Christ. Honoring Him. Don't 'bump' him 'like a diet book author waiting his turn' on an over-extended Letterman show.
from the column: There are not-too-subtle conflicts...the prophet’s birthday is Dec. 23.Although Joseph Smith, for all his recognition, is not the same as Jesus Christ, there have been occasions where “Praise to the Man” is sung more often than “Away in the Manger” on Christmastime Sunday. But most of the time there’s just a maddeningly frustrating neutrality about Christmas, Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ. Take the most recent sacrament meeting. The opening song was “The First Vision,” and then the bishop reminded us that during this season we should remember the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith. That seemed an appropriate nod to the man and I was encouraged that there were two Christmas carols and three talks left on the program. But the talks, which bookended a ward choir Christmas carol, were not about Christ’s birth, although they did capture His spirit. They were well-prepared, informative and spiritual talks that would have been appropriate for any sacrament meeting, but why can’t we have had talks about the birth of Christ? Is there some edict against it? ... Christ shouldn’t get the bump like a diet book author waiting his turn on a Letterman show that runs too long.
I’ve felt for a long time that there are a lot of Christians (I know, some of you don’t think Mormons are Christians but humor me) who aren’t comfortable with Christmas. It’s just too darn Catholic and there’s all those tacky statues of Mary and we Catholics supposedly worship her so how creepy is that. And it involves reproduction which is also creepy even when God is the father. Me, I love it.
Merry Smithmas, y’all, and don’t forget to google the JS cradle scene on display every Smithmas season in Salt Lake City.
So Doug Gibson sez JS is a greater prophet than all others before him? Sez a lot, JMHO.
Logan Standard-Examiner
The Standard-Examiner is Ogden. Logan's paper is the Herald Journal.
Obama publicly attended church on Sunday, and spoke about Christ's birth during a Christmas concert program
"President Obama reminded everyone there that "the manifestation of God's love" Jesus Christ was born more than 2000 years ago.
"For me and for millions of Americans, the story has filled our hearts and inspired our lives. It moves us to love one another, to help and serve those less fortunate, to forgive, to draw close to our families, to be grateful for all that has been given to us. To keep faith, and to hold on to an enduring hope in humanity." Obama added, "Service to others; compassion to all; treating others as we wish ourselves to be treated -- those values aren’t just at the center of Christianity. Those are values that are shared by all faiths."
The president concluded, "So tonight let us all rededicate ourselves to each other, and in that spirit, from my family to yours: Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, God bless you all, and God bless the United States of America.”
Jesus Christ, the MANifestation of God's love"?? Obama's "center of Christianity" is comparable to mormonism's center of Christianity...man and his works, rather than Jesus Christ and His saving grace.
Seriously? He was born on Dec 23? no wonder he had a god complex.
Mormons, isn't it time to have a "real Christmas Sunday?" Come worship in a church this season that truly honors the birth of the Lord Jesus.
Amen to that!
This article is full of red flags that should send the author screaming from Mormonism and into a Christian church.
Is it true that LDS churches don’t decorate for Christmas?
Almost every year, Jesus Christ seems to be a bit player.
_____________________________________________
WOW
The LORD Jesus Christ promoted from “atmosphere” to a tiny speaking part...
Someone must have not shown up that day..
Hope He got a SAG card for it
3 SAG cards and He can join the Screen Actors Guild...
Just imagine...
at this fast rate, God could be a star at Christmas time in a few centuries...
and/or have His own Star...
Meanwhile to Christians the LORD Jesus Christ is
WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR, THE MIGHTY GOD,
THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE
Isaiah 9:6
***Although the word that we Mormons worship Joseph Smith is a myth,***
Well if I knew Joe Smith was going to stand in the doorway to the Celestial Heaven and keep me out I sure would try to butter him up by singing praises to him, honoring his birth and death, so he might let me in! ;-D
Lyrics to Praise To The Man:
Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.
Chorus
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.
Praise to his mem’ry, he died as a martyr;
Honored and blest be his ever great name!
Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins,
Plead unto heav’n while the earth lauds his fame.
Chorus
Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.
Ever and ever the keys he will hold.
Faithful and true he will enter his kingdom,
Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.
Chorus
Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven;
Earth must atone for the blood of that man.
Wake up the world for the conflict of justice.
Millions shall know ‘Brother Joseph’ again.
Is it a wonder they are not considered Christians....when Christmas is ‘CHRIST’-MAS.