KEEPING CHRISTMAS

KEEPING CHRISTMAS

“Quality of Life Series”

12/16/04

(A LITTLE LONG – START AT 10 TILL)

LEADER: According to the 1994 "Britannica Book of the Year," there are 1.8 billion Christians in a total world population of 5.5 billion, making it the largest religion worldwide. In America, 241 million out of a total population of 281 million people are Christians -- that's 85 percent of the world that will likely be celebrating Christmas this year.

From: http://people.howstuffworks.com/christmas2.htm

Here are some snapshots of Christmas celebrations in other parts of the world:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas in Russia”

http://www.santas.net/russianchristmas.htm

In Russia the religious festival of Christmas is being replaced by the Festival of Winter but there are some traditions that are still kept up in some parts of the country.

In the traditional Russian Christmas, special prayers are said and people fast, sometimes for 39 days, until January 6th Christmas Eve, when the first evening star in appears in the sky. Then begins a twelve course supper in honor of each of the twelve apostles - fish, beet soup or Borsch, cabbage stuffed with millet, cooked dried fruit and much more.

Hay is spread on the floors and tables to encourage horse feed to grow in the coming year and people make clucking noises to encourage their hens to lay eggs.

On Christmas Day, hymns and carols are sung. People gather in churches which have been decorated with the usual Christmas trees or Yelka, flowers and colored lights.

Christmas dinner includes a variety of different meats - goose and suckling pig are favorites.

Babushka is a traditional Christmas figure who distributes presents to children. Her name means grandmother and the legend is told that she declined to go with the wise men to see Jesus because of the cold weather. However, she regretted not going and set off to try and catch up, filling her basket with presents. She never found Jesus, and that is why she visits each house, leaving toys for good children.

The role of Father Christmas was played by Dedushka Moroz or Grandfather Christmas.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas in Iraq”

http://www.santas.net/iraqichristmas.htm

In the Christian homes an unusual ceremony is held in the courtyard of the home on Christmas Eve. One of the children in the family reads the story of the Nativity from an Arabic Bible. The other members of the family hold lighted candles, and as soon as the story has been read a bonfire is lit in one corner of the courtyard. The fire is made of dried thorns and the future of the house for the coming year depends upon the way the fire burns. If the thorns burn to ashes, the family will have good fortune. While the fire is burning, a psalm is sung. When the fire is reduced to ashes, everyone jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish.

On Christmas day a similar bonfire is built in the church. While the fire burns the men of the congregation chant a hymn. The there is a procession in which the officials of the church march behind the bishop, who carries an image of the infant Jesus upon a scarlet cushion. The long Christmas service always ends with the blessing of the people. The bishop reaches forth and touches a member of the congregation with his hand, putting his blessing upon him. That person touches the one next him, and so on, until all have received "the Touch of Peace."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas in Bethlehem”

http://www.santas.net/bethlehemchristmas.htm

In Bethlehem the town where Jesus was born is the site of the Church of the Nativity, which is ablaze with flags and decorations on every Christmas. On Christmas Eve natives and visitors alike crowd the church's doorways and stand on the roof to watch for the dramatic annual procession. Galloping horsemen and police mounted on Arabian horses lead the parade. They are followed by solitary horseman carrying a cross and sitting astride a coal-black steed, then comes the churchmen and government officials. The procession solemnly enters the doors and places an ancient effigy of the Holy Child in the Church. Deep winding stairs lead to a grotto where visitors find a silver star marking the site of the birth of Jesus.

Christian homes in Bethlehem are marked by a cross painted over the door and each home displays a homemade manger scene. A star

LEADER: We’re familiar with how we celebrate Christmas in Texas, but Christmas celebrations vary greatly between regions of the United States, because of the variety of nationalities which have settled in it.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas in Alaska”

http://www.santas.net/alaskanchristmas.htm

Most Alaskan Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th, just as people do in the continent of the US. Santa Claus may arrive for a pre-Christmas visit, but, food, gift giving, and decorations are like what you might see in Texas or Wisconsin.

The songs sang at each home include Aleut words Gristuusaaq suu'uq, or Christ is born. Everyone joins in the closing words, Mnogaya leta, or god grant you many years. At the end of the carols the host provides carolers with maple-frosted doughnuts, cookies, candy, piruk, or fish pie, and sometimes smoked salmon.

In Alaska children wander from house to house carrying a colored star on a long pole, and singing carols.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas in the States” #1

http://people.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=christmas.htm&url=http://www.20ishparents.com/holiday/cfacts.shtml

In 1836, Alabama is the first state in the USA to declare Christmas a legal holiday.

http://www.santas.net/americanchristmas.htm

· In Washington D.C., a huge, spectacular tree is lit ceremoniously when the President presses a button and turns on the tree's lights.

· In Boston, carol singing festivities are famous. The singers are accompanied by hand bells.

· In New Orleans, a huge ox is paraded around the streets decorated with holly and with ribbons tied to its horns.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas in the States” #2

http://www.santas.net/americanchristmas.htm

· In Arizona they follow the Mexican traditions called Las Posadas. Families play out the parts of Mary and Joseph searching for somewhere to stay. They form a procession and visit their friends' and neighbors' homes where they admire each family's Nativity crib. In parts of New Mexico, people place lighted candles in paper bags filled with sand on streets and rooftops to light the way for the Christ Child.

· In Hawaii, Christmas starts with the coming of the Christmas Tree Ship, which is a ship bringing a great load of Christmas fare. Santa Claus also arrives by boat.

· In California, Santa Claus sweeps in on a surf board.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas in the States” #3

http://www.santas.net/americanchristmas.htm

· In Colorado, an enormous star is placed on the mountain, it can be seen for many kilometers around, while in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a star is lit in early December.

· Polish Americans on Christmas Eve spread hay on their kitchen floor and under the tablecloth to remind them of a stable and a manger. When they make up the table for dinner two extra places are set up for Mary and the Christ Child in case they should knock at the door to ask for shelter.

LEADER: Let’s look at some of the traditions and symbols of Christmas and their origin:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Name of Our Holiday”

http://people.howstuffworks.com/christmas1.htm

The word Christmas comes from the words Cristes maesse, or "Christ's Mass." Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus for members of the Christian religion. Most historians date the first celebration of Christmas to Rome in 336 A.D.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Why is Christmas Sometimes Spelled Xmas?”

http://people.howstuffworks.com/christmas22.htm

According to the book Did you ever Wonder... by Jeff Rovin, the word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. The use of the shortened form "Xmas" became popular in Europe in the 1500s.

The word Xmas is so common in advertising most likely because "Xmas" and "sale" have the same number of letters, and "Xmas" is significantly shorter than Christmas.

LEADER: Sounds like something the devil would think up…same number of letters. Where does that leave Christ and Christmas for the majority of the people who don’t speak Greek or know Greek history? Aren’t we X-ing Christ out of Christmas!

We don’t say “Believe on X and thou shalt be saved.”

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Gift Giving”

http://people.howstuffworks.com/christmas3.htm

The tradition of gifts seems to have started with the gifts that the wise men (the Magi) brought to Jesus. As recounted in the Bible's book of Matthew, "On coming to the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of frankincense and of myrrh."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas Cards and Christmas Stamps”

http://www.funandgames.org/hunt/cards.htm

Though wood engravers produced prints with religious themes in the European Middle Ages, the first commercial Christmas and New Year's card was designed in London, England in 1843.

John Callcott Horsley (1817 - 1903), a British narrative painter and a Royal Academician, designed the first Christmas and New Year's card at the suggestion and request of his friend Sir Henry Cole, who was the first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Horsley designed the first Christmas card in 1840, but it went on sale only in 1843, when one thousand cards were offered for 1shilling each.

The first Christmas card, designed by
John Callcot Horsley, published in 1843.

http://people.howstuffworks.com/christmas14.htm

Christmas cards started in America in 1846.

http://people.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=christmas.htm&url=http://www.20ishparents.com/holiday/cfacts.shtml

In 1937, the first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria.

In America in 1822, the postmaster of Washington, DC, complained that he had to add 16 mailmen at Christmas to deal with cards alone. He wanted the number of cards a person could send limited by law. "I don't know what we'll do if this keeps
on," he wrote.

Today, about two billion Christmas cards are exchanged every year in the United States

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas Carols” By Pastor William Mark Bristow

http://www.bible.com/answers/achristm.html#Origin%20of%20Christmas%20Customs

Christmas Carols bear a remarkable origin. In 1223 St. Francis of Assisi decided the regular celebration of Christ's Mass was in a rut. So, he had an entire manger scene built in his church in Italy, replete with hay, actors, and animals. He thought the singing was also in a rut. So he took a couple of secular, pagan, songs and wrote words telling the story of the birth of Christ. The church elders said he was crazy. The people said he was a saint. The most loved hymn of all time has an interesting history, and, of course, is a Christmas carol. On Christmas Eve 1818, Joseph Mohr, assistant pastor of the church of Saint Nicholas asked the organist Franz Gruber to put music to a poem he had written for the midnight celebration of mass. Franz went to the organ and found that rats had eaten holes in the bellows. Thinking quickly, he took out his guitar and played the only song he knew well on the guitar -- an old bar song -- a beer-drinking pub song! The poem fit perfectly (and surely everyone would know the music?!) Silent Night. Holy Night. All is calm. All is bright. Roun' yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly. Silent Night, holy night. Son of God, love's pure light. Radiant beams from thy holy face. With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Jesus Lord at thy birth.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas Trees”

http://people.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=christmas.htm&url=http://www.20ishparents.com/holiday/cfacts.shtml

· Winter was a time of celebration to pre-Christian Romans and they decorated fir trees in honor of this seasonal change.

· Real Christmas trees are an all-American product, grown in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.

· Most artificial trees are manufactured in Korea, Taiwan, or Hong Kong.

· For every real Christmas tree harvested, 2 to 3 seedlings are planted in its place.

· Each hectare (2.47 acres) provides the daily oxygen requirements of 45 people.

http://www.bible.com/answers/achristm.html#Origin%20of%20Christmas%20Customs

By Pastor William Mark Bristow

The custom of decorating a tree comes directly from the Great Reformer Himself, Martin Luther and from a German Play about Adam and Eve in Paradise. One Christmas eve, Martin Luther was out in the field and the beauty of the start shining through the snow covered limbs of the tree overwhelmed him with the beauty of God's creation. He had to show his children. Rather than risk their health in the snow, he cut down the tree and carried it home. Candles replaced the stars, and thus the Christmas tree began. There was also a very popular play in the German church about Adam and Eve. The paradise tree was a central theme of the play. It was adorned with fruit -- all representing the things they were allowed in the garden. After Martin Luther's example, many families adorned a paradise tree with fruit, or even gilded fruit (our glass balls) as gifts to their children, and to teach them of the provision and goodness of God who gave the best gift. Later Prince Charles carried a tree home to Buckingham Palace where Queen Victoria decked it for Royalty. Society news spread all over the world, and the decorated tree immediately became the symbol of the gifts God had given, and, the evergreen tree, the symbol of everlasting life.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas Lights”

http://people.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=christmas.htm&url=http://www.20ishparents.com/holiday/cfacts.shtml

Three years after Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb in 1879, Edward H. Johnson, who worked for Edison's company, had Christmas tree bulbs especially made for him. He proudly displayed his electric tree lights at his home on Fifth Avenue, New York City. They caused a sensation although some years were to pass before mass-manufactured Christmas tree lights were widely available.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Holly” By Pastor William Mark Bristow

http://www.bible.com/answers/achristm.html#Origin%20of%20Christmas%20Customs

There is a legend that Holly was originally a thorny vine, and was originally used as the cruel crown of thorns for our Lord. The berries being originally white, when they became stained with His blood, they turned forever red, and the plant withdrew its vicious thorns for the spiny leaves. The plant was probably originally called "HOLY" not Holly. Whether true or legend only, the early French and English hung a piece over the door of a house where Christ was celebrated. Holly, with its prickly leaves and red berries, came into holiday use because it reminded people of the crown of thorns worn by Jesus on the way to his execution, the berries symbolizing droplets of blood.¹)

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Santa Clause” By Pastor William Mark Bristow

http://www.bible.com/answers/achristm.html#Origin%20of%20Christmas%20Customs

Santa has not always appeared the way we think of him today. The first well-known gift-giver was a true person--St. Nicholas. He lived in Myra (today we know it as Turkey) in about 300A.D. Born an only child of a wealthy family, he was orphaned at an early age when both parents died of the plague. He grew up in a monastery and at the age of 17 became one of the youngest priests ever. Many stories are told of his generosity as he gave his wealth away in the form of gifts to those in need, especially children. Legends tell of him either dropping bags of gold down chimneys or throwing the bags through the windows where they landed in the stockings hung from the fireplace to dry. Some years later Nicholas became a bishop--hence the bishop's hat or miter, long flowing gown, white beard and red cape. After his death he was elevated to sainthood. Eventually the Catholic Church started celebrating Christmas and St. Nicholas was incorporated into the season.

http://people.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=christmas.htm&url=http://www.20ishparents.com/holiday/cfacts.shtml

Due to the time zones, Santa has 31 hours to deliver gifts? This means that he would have to visit 832 homes each second!

LEADER: There are more…like the legend of the candy cane and the real meaning to the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, but we don’t have time to look at those today.

LEADER: We’ve looked at what 85 percent of the world is doing for Christmas…what about the other 15 percent…and are they effecting our celebration of Christmas today?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Tokyo Take”

http://www.higherpraise.org/illustrations/christmas.htm
A television interviewer was walking streets of Tokyo at Christmas time. Much as in America, Christmas shopping is a big commercial success in Japan. The interviewer stopped one young woman on the sidewalk, and asked, "What is the meaning of Christmas?"

Laughing, she responded, "I don't know. Is that the day that Jesus died?"

There was some truth in her answer.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Visitor From Another Planet”

Dave Barry in his "Notes on Western Civilization", Chicago Tribune Magazine 7/28/91

http://www.higherpraise.org/illustrations/christmas.htm

To avoid offending anybody, the school dropped religion altogether and started singing about the weather. At my son's school, they now hold the winter program in February and sing increasingly non-memorable songs such as "Winter Wonderland," "Frosty the Snowman" and--this is a real song--"Suzy Snowflake," all of which is pretty funny because we live in Miami. A visitor from another planet would assume that the children belonged to the Church of Meteorology.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Politically Correct Christmas: #1

The Exception, Not the Rule” By Jay Sekulow, EXCERPT

Chief Counsel American Center for Law and Justice

http://www.aclj.org/ACLJToday.aspx

Consider these examples that have popped up around the country – examples that are the exception, not the rule this Christmas season:

· In Denver, the city’s parade of lights took place without a religious-themed float that was prohibited from taking part. Members of the Christian community used the public sidewalks to sing religious carols and talk about their faith – while the parade went by on the street.

· In Mapplewood, New Jersey, school officials banned the use of traditional Christmas carols. The high school’s brass ensemble was also prohibited from playing instrumental renditions of the songs – without the vocals – because as one school official put it, “if you’re familiar with the tune, you know the words.” No religious songs – only nonsectarian numbers like “Frosty the Snowman” and “Walking in a Winter Wonderland.”

· In one community in Massachusetts, the Mayor sent out an apology to the community saying he was wrong to identify the city’s holiday party as a “Christmas” party. He issued an apology to anyone who might be offended by the remark.

· School districts in southwest Florida are trying to walk the politically correct line this Christmas season. Some schools are banning Christmas trees all together. Others are permitting the placement of trees in schools.

These examples represent the exception to the rule and most communities are not giving in to the pressure to be politically correct.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Take Your Christmas and Stuff It” by Bill O’reilly

http://www.billoreilly.com/currentarticle EXCERPT

"Christmas with the Kranks" is not only the name of a holiday movie this year, it is also a national trend. Once again, Christmas is under siege by the growing forces of secularism in America. Put these facts in your stocking:

§ Federated Department Stores, which includes Macy's, has suggested that managers avoid displaying "Merry Christmas" banners and have ordered employees not to talk about it.

§ In Denver, a church was banned from the "Festival of Lights" parade because it wanted a religious theme to its float.

§ The Maplewood, New Jersey school board has banned all religious music from "holiday" concerts. (Would somebody please tell me exactly what holiday this is?)

§ And New York City Mayor Bloomberg insists that the lighted tree outside City Hall is not a Christmas tree, it's a "holiday tree." (What holiday, Mr. Mayor?)

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Politically Correct Christmas: #2

The Exception, Not the Rule” By Jay Sekulow, EXCERPT

Chief Counsel American Center for Law and Justice

http://www.aclj.org/ACLJToday.aspx

· In a tree lighting ceremony this year, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger turned back a holiday tradition that was put in place by former Governor Gray Davis. With the help of a 7-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, the Governor put the final ornament in place and declared the 56-foot-tall white fir a “Christmas” tree – ending the politically-correct practice of calling it a “holiday” tree.

· In Joplin, Missouri, we helped clear the way for a display of a nativity scene at a facility operated by the federal agency, Housing and Urban Development.

· In Massachusetts, we went to federal court on behalf of an elementary school student who was told she could not share a book with her classmates because the book contained a story about the birth of Jesus. Laura Greska wanted to read to her classmates from the book “The Story of Christmas” – but was told no by the teacher because the book was “religious.” We filed a federal lawsuit in the case. Finally, the school district decided to change its policy. The school district agreed to permit Laura to exercise her religious beliefs without further discrimination. The Leominster Public School District agreed that Laura would “be permitted to exercise her religious beliefs via speech (whether oral or written), if appropriate to an assignment, in all future school assignments.

· And, in a case out of Oregon, we succeeded in protecting the constitutional rights of a kindergarten student who was prohibited from handing out a Christmas card to fellow students because the card was too religious and contained the name “Jesus.” In the case of 6-year-old Justin Cortez, the Gresham-Barlow School District prohibited Justin from distributing a Christmas card last year to his classmates – a card that focused on what Justin considered to be the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ. We filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Justin in federal court in Portland, Oregon. And, two months ago, the school district agreed to settle the case. It has amended the school policy to permit students, like Justin, in conjunction with a class exercise or presentation to make available to their classmates materials that contain a religious message. The school district also has agreed to permit Justin to make available to his classmates his card about Jesus this Christmas season.

LEADER: The Christian Law Association directs our attention to “Separationists”:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christ, Christmas and the Constitution” #1

http://www.christianlawassociation.net/christ-mas.html

Why do many Christians, and their communities and schools, fear to openly proclaim the true, religious, significance of Christmas? We believe the reason for the fear is the confusion generated by "separationists" who would like to convince the public that their public display of faith somehow violates the United States Constitution.

"Separationists" are those who believe that openly celebrating the religious meaning of Christmas violates the Constitution by blurring the line between what they believe should be a separation of the roles of church and state. In the last few years, courts have repeatedly been asked to decide lawsuits brought by separationists to try to keep the religious part of the Christmas season out of the public eye. Their claims are generally based upon their mistaken belief that the doctrine of the separation of church and state is somehow violated if government acknowledges in any way that the birth of Jesus is the historical reason for celebrating December 25.

LEADER: What are the legal rules regarding keeping Christ in Christmas?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christ, Christmas and the Constitution” #2

http://www.christianlawassociation.net/christ-mas.html

Christmas has always been celebrated in America as both a secular and religious holiday. In recent years, secular groups advocating the complete separation of church and state have been circulating misinformation about the legalities of public celebrations of Christmas, seeking to confine Christmas to the church or home and out of the public. As a result, many public officials have been mislead into believing the legal falsehood that Christ must be removed from Christmas in public schools and other public venues. Even some Christians, wanting to be inclusive of others, have acquiesced to confining Christmas to home and church. Christians have sometimes tempered their own verbal greetings and decorations in their own private businesses to reflect this new trend of celebrating a secular "winter festival" instead of the keeping Christmas as the religious holiday that it still should be for them.

Despite these new assaults on Christmas, the Constitution does not require public officials to obliterate religious themes or displays from all Christmas observations in public areas. In fact, no court has ever ruled that the Constitution prohibits Christmas carols, Christmas displays, or Christmas greetings in public streets and parks, or in public schools, or commercial establishments. The Constitution does not tell Christians that they must keep the religious aspects of Christmas behind the walls of their churches and homes.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christ, Christmas and the Constitution” #3

http://www.christianlawassociation.net/christ-mas.html

For centuries under our Constitution, Americans have recognized national religious holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Such observances are part of our cultural and our religious heritage. They are part of the tradition of America. President Franklin Roosevelt said on December 24, 1944, during a national wartime address:

Here at home, we will celebrate this Christmas Day in our traditional American way-because of its deep spiritual meaning to us; because the teachings of Christ are fundamental in our lives; and because we want our youngest generation to grow up knowing the significance of this tradition and the story of the coming of the immortal Prince of Peace.

LEADER: Since in America Christmas is celebrated both as a religious and a secular holiday, a recent poll shows as many as 96 percent of all Americans will celebrate Christmas this year.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christ, Christmas and the Constitution” #4

http://www.christianlawassociation.net/christ-mas.html

Ninety-six percent of all Americans celebrate Christmas, according to a recent poll. Despite that overwhelming reality, many local government and school officials have prohibited any religious displays for Christmas. Public school classroom and community decorations often depict only non-religious symbols of a winter holiday, such as snowmen and reindeer. Extremists have even eliminated Santa, candy canes, and Christmas trees because of their peripheral religious connotations. Schools and public areas are eliminating any religious or seasonal music in their winter plays and concerts, and some calendars now refer to the "winter break" instead of Christmas. Many businesses and workplaces have banned the greeting "Merry Christmas" out of a fear of offending the only four in one hundred customers who might not celebrate the holiday. None of these extreme measures are legally required by the Establishment Clause, despite what secular legal organizations hostile to the public recognition of Christianity would have us believe. The reality is that Christmas in America has been both a federal and state-recognized religious holiday for centuries, with no conflict between it and the First Amendment Establishment Clause.

LEADER: Let’s look at some cases from the American Center for Law and Justice

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas in Schools” #1

http://www.aclj.org/trialnotebook/read.aspx?id=58

Last year, we filed a federal lawsuit in Massachusetts on behalf of a second grader named Laura Greska, who was told that she could not bring a pop-up book called The First Christmas to school for sharing time. The book contained the Christmas story. Other children in the class were allowed to read stories about Santa Claus, the miracle of Hanukkah, and the African tradition of Kwanzaa. We went to federal court, arguing that the school district operated unconstitutionally by censoring the first Christmas story. I am happy to report that the court agreed with us, and the case has now been resolved. This year, the school district in Massachusetts will allow renditions of the Christmas story without censorship.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas in Schools” #2

http://www.aclj.org/trialnotebook/read.aspx?id=58

In Washington State, we were notified this morning that a school district in Kirkland had censored the play by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. The rationale given for the censorship is that the last line of the play by Little Timmy is “too religious.” The famous line says, “God bless us, every one.” I have already dispatched lawyers to work on this issue in Kirkland, WA.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Judge Throws Out Suit Against Christmas Holiday”

http://www.higherpraise.org/illustrations/christmas.htm
CINCINNATI, Ohio - Ruling that Christmas is celebrated by non-Christians as well as Christians, a judge in December 1999 threw out a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of observing Dec. 25 as a federal holiday. U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott said in her dismissal of the lawsuit that just as Christians observe Christmas as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, non-Christians celebrate the occasion to welcome the arrival of Santa Claus.
Therefore, she said, Christmas cannot be regarded as a holiday that establishes one religious faith above all others in violation of the demand for a separation of church and state enshrined in the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.
”Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas in the Schools”

American Center for Law and Justice 12/02/04

http://www.aclj.org/trialnotebook/read.aspx?id=53

On the radio today, we received a number of phone calls concerning Christmas celebration in the public schools. As the Christmas holiday approaches, schools across the country have special musical performances and events surrounding the Christmas holiday. In question are issues ranging from Christmas carols being sung at the school choral festivals to the public display of nativity scenes.

First, let me say that everyone should be aware that no court has ever banned the singing of religious Christmas carols by public school choirs. In fact, several Courts of Appeals have held that the study and performance of religious songs, including Christmas carols with Christian themes, are constitutional if their purpose is the “advancement of the students’ knowledge of society’s culture and religious heritage as well as the provision of an opportunity for students to perform a full range of music, poetry, and drama that is likely to be of interest to the students and their audience.” This means that not only can students sing songs with Christian references in them, but they can also perform drama symbolic of the significance of the Christmas holiday. The Supreme Court has also said that “it certainly may be said that the Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic qualities.” This means that teachers in the classroom can use the Bible as a reference tool to discuss the meaning of religious holidays ranging from Hanukkah to Christmas. It would be appropriate to use religious sources, including the Bible, the Talmud and other historic references, to discuss the meaning of holidays. In our view, public school teachers have the ability to have curriculums developed involving Biblical passages that relate to the Christmas message, including Matthew 1:18-2:22 and Luke 2:1-20, as long as the purpose of the study is to explain the historical and literary significance of the passage.

Likewise, a number of cities have contacted us regarding the display of nativity scenes during Christmas. Private citizens certainly have the right to display nativity scenes in public areas, including parks and town squares. Furthermore, cities can also have nativity scenes and Hanukkah menorahs displayed on city grounds so long as there are other secular representations of the holiday along with it.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Luke 2:1-20 (ALL TURN TO)

Luke 2:1-20 (King James Version)
   ¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.    ³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.    ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)    ⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.   ⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.   ⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.   ⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.    ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
   ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.    ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.    ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.   ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,   ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.    ¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.    ¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.   ¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
   ¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Chuck Swindoll’s Christmas List”

Charles Swindoll, Growing Strong, pp. 400-1.

http://www.higherpraise.org/illustrations/christmas.htm
Some gifts you can give this Christmas are beyond monetary value: Mend a quarrel, dismiss suspicion, tell someone, "I love you." Give something away--anonymously. Forgive someone who has treated you wrong. Turn away wrath with a soft answer. Visit someone in a nursing home. Apologize if you were wrong. Be especially kind to someone with whom you work. Give as God gave to you in Christ, without obligation, or announcement, or reservation, or hypocrisy.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “What Can I give Jesus for His Birthday?”

By Dr. David Jeremiah Dec 03

http://www.turningpointradio.org/hot_topics/2003_hot/dec/ht3_DEC03.html

Today the thought of giving to Jesus, rather than ourselves, is almost a lost tradition. To keep the gift giving focus on Him, read and discuss Matthew 25:31-41 with your family early in December and choose to help others in several ways: Take your children shopping for gifts for children of prisoners. Encourage store clerks. Visit a shut-in or sit with a homebound person while the caretaker takes a needed break. Ransack your closets for good used clothing and toys for missions. Invite others to go Christmas caroling in a nursing home or sing to homebound members of your church. Ask those with no family or plans to share your Christmas meal. Adopt a needy family and bring them a meal and gifts. Help your church by participating in the Christmas pageant, decorating the church, or caring for children during a service. Make giving a year-long goal and “then…King [Jesus] will say...“Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored...you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40 The Message).

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “What May Christians Do To Honor Jesus At Christmas?”

http://www.christianlawassociation.net/christ-mas.html

1) Make sure to get the message out to as many people as possible that it continues to be constitutional to keep Christ in Christmas.

2) Write letters to newspaper editors to make sure other citizens understand that it is still legal to celebrate December 25 as a religious as well as a secular and cultural holiday-even in the public square. Letters to the editor are particularly useful when they are polite, positive, and well-reasoned.

3) Encourage your church and church members to place religious holiday decoration both outside and inside their homes and churches.

4) Vocally support elected officials and school personnel, including principals and school board members, by letting these public servants know that you appreciate them when they keep the religious aspects of Christmas within seasonal programs and displays.

5) Commend those businesses, stores, and schools that continue to display religious symbols of Christmas and greet customers with "Merry Christmas."

LEADER: “Christ, Christmas and the Constitution” #6

http://www.christianlawassociation.net/christ-mas.html

Along with a foreign war against terrorism, America is now engaged in a cultural war that is no less dangerous to our nation's well being than in President Roosevelt's era. Now is not the time to lay down our spiritual arms and surrender to the very small percentage of Americans who are hostile toward Christianity and who want to eliminate Christmas and all things religious from our national life. As followers of Jesus Christ, it is imperative that we properly honor and defend the day that has been set aside to celebrate His miraculous birth.

LEADER: “Keeping Christ in Christmas” Dr. David Jeremiah

http://www.turningpointradio.org/hot_topics/2003_hot/dec/ht2_DEC03.html

Christmas should be about worshiping the Christ Child—making room for Him in your heart and mind. Accepting God’s gifts—Jesus Christ, forgiveness, eternal life. Developing a personal, dynamic relationship with the Christ of Christmas. Discovering what you can give—not get—this Christmas. Looking to the example of Jesus who lovingly used His energy and efforts to give to others, spending His time pouring out the love of His Father on everyone He encountered. Activity can’t be avoided but be active for the Lord. And bring everything you do under His Lordship. You will find the real joy and peace of Christmas as you keep Christ in Christmas.

STOP AT 10 TILL FOR

PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISES:

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“Christmas in Russia”

In Russia the religious festival of Christmas is being replaced by the Festival of Winter but there are some traditions that are still kept up in some parts of the country.

Hay is spread on the floors and tables to encourage horse feed to grow in the coming year and people make clucking noises to encourage their hens to lay eggs.

On Christmas Day, hymns and carols are sung. People gather in churches which have been decorated with the usual Christmas trees or Yelka, flowers and colored lights.

Christmas dinner includes a variety of different meats - goose and suckling pig are favorites.

The role of Father Christmas was played by Dedushka Moroz or Grandfather Christmas.

“Christmas in Iraq”

“Christmas in Bethlehem”

Christian homes in Bethlehem are marked by a cross painted over the door and each home displays a homemade manger scene. A star

“Christmas in Alaska”

In Alaska children wander from house to house carrying a colored star on a long pole, and singing carols.

“Christmas in the States” #1

In 1836, Alabama is the first state in the USA to declare Christmas a legal holiday.

In Washington D.C., a huge, spectacular tree is lit ceremoniously when the President presses a button and turns on the tree's lights.
In Boston, carol singing festivities are famous. The singers are accompanied by hand bells.
In New Orleans, a huge ox is paraded around the streets decorated with holly and with ribbons tied to its horns.

“Christmas in the States” #2

In Arizona they follow the Mexican traditions called Las Posadas. Families play out the parts of Mary and Joseph searching for somewhere to stay. They form a procession and visit their friends' and neighbors' homes where they admire each family's Nativity crib. In parts of New Mexico, people place lighted candles in paper bags filled with sand on streets and rooftops to light the way for the Christ Child.
In Hawaii, Christmas starts with the coming of the Christmas Tree Ship, which is a ship bringing a great load of Christmas fare. Santa Claus also arrives by boat.
In California, Santa Claus sweeps in on a surf board.

“Christmas in the States” #3

In Colorado, an enormous star is placed on the mountain, it can be seen for many kilometers around, while in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a star is lit in early December.
Polish Americans on Christmas Eve spread hay on their kitchen floor and under the tablecloth to remind them of a stable and a manger. When they make up the table for dinner two extra places are set up for Mary and the Christ Child in case they should knock at the door to ask for shelter.

“The Name of Our Holiday”

“Why is Christmas Sometimes Spelled Xmas?”

According to the book Did you ever Wonder... by Jeff Rovin, the word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. The use of the shortened form "Xmas" became popular in Europe in the 1500s.

The word Xmas is so common in advertising most likely because "Xmas" and "sale" have the same number of letters, and "Xmas" is significantly shorter than Christmas.

“Gift Giving”

“Christmas Cards and Christmas Stamps”

Though wood engravers produced prints with religious themes in the European Middle Ages, the first commercial Christmas and New Year's card was designed in London, England in 1843.

Christmas cards started in America in 1846.

In 1937, the first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria.

Today, about two billion Christmas cards are exchanged every year in the United States

“Christmas Carols”

“Christmas Trees”

Winter was a time of celebration to pre-Christian Romans and they decorated fir trees in honor of this seasonal change.
Real Christmas trees are an all-American product, grown in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.
Most artificial trees are manufactured in Korea, Taiwan, or Hong Kong.
For every real Christmas tree harvested, 2 to 3 seedlings are planted in its place.
Each hectare (2.47 acres) provides the daily oxygen requirements of 45 people.

“Christmas Lights”

“Holly”

“Santa Clause”

Due to the time zones, Santa has 31 hours to deliver gifts? This means that he would have to visit 832 homes each second!

“Tokyo Take”

A television interviewer was walking streets of Tokyo at Christmas time. Much as in America, Christmas shopping is a big commercial success in Japan. The interviewer stopped one young woman on the sidewalk, and asked, "What is the meaning of Christmas?"

Laughing, she responded, "I don't know. Is that the day that Jesus died?"

There was some truth in her answer.

“Visitor From Another Planet”

“The Politically Correct Christmas: #1

The Exception, Not the Rule”

Consider these examples that have popped up around the country – examples that are the exception, not the rule this Christmas season:

In Denver, the city’s parade of lights took place without a religious-themed float that was prohibited from taking part. Members of the Christian community used the public sidewalks to sing religious carols and talk about their faith – while the parade went by on the street.
In Mapplewood, New Jersey, school officials banned the use of traditional Christmas carols. The high school’s brass ensemble was also prohibited from playing instrumental renditions of the songs – without the vocals – because as one school official put it, “if you’re familiar with the tune, you know the words.” No religious songs – only nonsectarian numbers like “Frosty the Snowman” and “Walking in a Winter Wonderland.”
In one community in Massachusetts, the Mayor sent out an apology to the community saying he was wrong to identify the city’s holiday party as a “Christmas” party. He issued an apology to anyone who might be offended by the remark.
School districts in southwest Florida are trying to walk the politically correct line this Christmas season. Some schools are banning Christmas trees all together. Others are permitting the placement of trees in schools.

These examples represent the exception to the rule and most communities are not giving in to the pressure to be politically correct.

“Christ, Christmas and the Constitution” #3

“Take Your Christmas and Stuff It” by Bill O’reilly

· "Christmas with the Kranks" is not only the name of a holiday movie this year, it is also a national trend. Once again, Christmas is under siege by the growing forces of secularism in America. Put these facts in your stocking:

· Federated Department Stores, which includes Macy's, has suggested that managers avoid displaying "Merry Christmas" banners and have ordered employees not to talk about it.

· In Denver, a church was banned from the "Festival of Lights" parade because it wanted a religious theme to its float.

· The Maplewood, New Jersey school board has banned all religious music from "holiday" concerts. (Would somebody please tell me exactly what holiday this is?)

· And New York City Mayor Bloomberg insists that the lighted tree outside City Hall is not a Christmas tree, it's a "holiday tree." (What holiday, Mr. Mayor?)

“The Politically Correct Christmas: #2

The Exception, Not the Rule”

· In Joplin, Missouri, we helped clear the way for a display of a nativity scene at a facility operated by the federal agency, Housing and Urban Development.

“Christ, Christmas and the Constitution” #1

“Christ, Christmas and the Constitution” #2

“Christmas in Schools” #1

“Christ, Christmas and the Constitution” #4

“Christmas in Schools” #2

“Judge Throws Out Suit Against Christmas Holiday”

CINCINNATI, Ohio - Ruling that Christmas is celebrated by non-Christians as well as Christians, a judge in December 1999 threw out a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of observing Dec. 25 as a federal holiday. U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott said in her dismissal of the lawsuit that just as Christians observe Christmas as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, non-Christians celebrate the occasion to welcome the arrival of Santa Claus.
Therefore, she said, Christmas cannot be regarded as a holiday that establishes one religious faith above all others in violation of the demand for a separation of church and state enshrined in the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.
”Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Luke 2:1-20

“Chuck Swindoll’s Christmas List”

Some gifts you can give this Christmas are beyond monetary value: Mend a quarrel, dismiss suspicion, tell someone, "I love you." Give something away--anonymously. Forgive someone who has treated you wrong. Turn away wrath with a soft answer. Visit someone in a nursing home. Apologize if you were wrong. Be especially kind to someone with whom you work. Give as God gave to you in Christ, without obligation, or announcement, or reservation, or hypocrisy.

“Christmas in the Schools”

“What Can I give Jesus for His Birthday?”By Dr. David Jeremiah

“What May Christians Do To Honor Jesus At Christmas?”

1) Make sure to get the message out to as many people as possible that it continues to be constitutional to keep Christ in Christmas.

3) Encourage your church and church members to place religious holiday decoration both outside and inside their homes and churches.