[John Tyler Connoley,
Friday January 6, 2006 at 4:07pm]
Offended at Christmas?
This is a little late, but I just came across it yesterday morning.
One of the best responses to the so-called War on Christmas I've heard is from the podcast of Whosoever Magazine. I don't have a transcript, so I don't have the exact wording, but Candace Chellew-Hodge basically said:
"I've read all four Gospels, and I don't find any record of Jesus having a birthday party or of people wishing him a happy birthday. From the historical record, I have no reason to believe Jesus would be offended by people forgetting his birthday. On the other hand, Jesus was always offended by religious people who sow hatred and dissension, and by those who would turn the Church into a business. James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and all the religious leaders shouting about a 'War on Christmas' are the people who would offend Jesus the most this Christmas season."
Before hearing Candace's commentary, my favorite response was Ann Quindlen's in Newsweek. Anna said:
"O ye of little faith, who believe that somehow the birth of Christ is dependent upon acknowledgment in a circular from OfficeMax! According to the story, Jesus threw the money-changers out of the temple, saying that they'd made his father's house into a den of thieves. By any stretch of the imagination, does that person sound like someone who would hanker to be formally recognized at Sears and Walgreens, as though his legacy depended upon being given pride of place among redundant hand appliances and teddy bears in Santa hats?"
One of the best responses to the so-called War on Christmas I've heard is from the podcast of Whosoever Magazine. I don't have a transcript, so I don't have the exact wording, but Candace Chellew-Hodge basically said:
"I've read all four Gospels, and I don't find any record of Jesus having a birthday party or of people wishing him a happy birthday. From the historical record, I have no reason to believe Jesus would be offended by people forgetting his birthday. On the other hand, Jesus was always offended by religious people who sow hatred and dissension, and by those who would turn the Church into a business. James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and all the religious leaders shouting about a 'War on Christmas' are the people who would offend Jesus the most this Christmas season."
Before hearing Candace's commentary, my favorite response was Ann Quindlen's in Newsweek. Anna said:
"O ye of little faith, who believe that somehow the birth of Christ is dependent upon acknowledgment in a circular from OfficeMax! According to the story, Jesus threw the money-changers out of the temple, saying that they'd made his father's house into a den of thieves. By any stretch of the imagination, does that person sound like someone who would hanker to be formally recognized at Sears and Walgreens, as though his legacy depended upon being given pride of place among redundant hand appliances and teddy bears in Santa hats?"