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Public View of Christmas
With displays of Christmas on public grounds, especially public schools, becoming more and more a contentious affair and religion in general facing more and more of a hostile environment in the public square, it’s only proper for us to consider why the external manifestation of religion continues to be the right thing to do.
The Church has much to contribute to the public debate. Its voice is needed now more than ever on issues of import to the common good. At Christmas time, the Christmas tree and a Nativity scene can help create a loving, warm, spiritual atmosphere in a world bent solely on making material gains, Pope Benedict XVI recently reminded us.
We are encouraged to maintain the spiritual heritage of the decorated tree and Christmas crèche in our homes, our parishes, and even in public places.
The evergreen is an important symbol of the birth of Christ, not only because its use at Christmas can be traced back to the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi, but also because its evergreen boughs recall everlasting life.
The Nativity scene surrounded by decorated trees create “an atmosphere replete with religious feeling and domestic intimacy,” the pope said. How fitting it is that so many displays of crèches and gaily-lit trees adorn our parish grounds in Brooklyn and Queens.
In St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, a tree stands trimmed with yellow and white lights and 2,000 gold and silver ornaments. Fifty smaller Christmas trees decorate various rooms and offices throughout Vatican City.
Yet, we know that the prevalent secular culture does not support or encourage a celebration of Christmas although it relishes the profits and activities of the “holiday” season.
Lest you think we overstate the case, here are some reminders of what is going on around us, brought to you courtesy of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights:
• After one person complained about a nativity scene in Shawnee State Park in Ohio, the state parks’ chief ordered a ban on crèches from all parks. It took the governor to overturn this decision.
• In Wesley Chapel, Florida, Jesus was banned from a holiday display.
• The mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island, censored all religious displays.
• Government officials in Tehama County, California, tried to ban Santa in office displays but had to reverse their decision after a protest.
• A nativity scene in Olean, New York, was removed from the City Hall lawn after Wiccans placed the pentacle alongside it.
• A crèche was banned from Triangle Park in Manistique, Michigan.
• After a Catholic sued and won demanding a crèche alongside a menorah in Briarcliff Manor, New York, local officials banned both the Christian and Jewish symbols.
• The Dickens Christmas Festival in Saginaw, Michigan, was renamed the Dickens Holiday Festival so the city could advertise in local schools. The schools ban the words “Santa,” “Christmas” and “Nativity.”
• Atheists Alliance International put up a tree on the lawn of Chester County Courthouse outside Philadelphia with copies of the covers of books saying, “Why I Am Not a Christian,” etc.
• Americans United for Separation of Church and State is trying to block the display of a crèche in Shelby County, Alabama.
• Freedom from Religion Foundation is trying to stop the display of Nativity scenes in three Wisconsin towns.
So, we wish all of our readers a very Merry Christmas. And we hope that you continue to Keep Christ in Christmas. Remember, it’s Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays! Send only religious Christmas greeting cards. Use the religious Christmas stamps (all year ’round?). Share your Christmas joy on Christmas Day and every day of the New Year.
Christmas Angels
We’ll call him George, our Christmas Angel. Each Christmas, he comes to The Tablet’s offices and drops off an envelope with a stash of $20 bills in it as a contribution to our Bright Christmas campaign. This year, the total was $200.
We know nothing about George, not even his last name. We don’t know where he comes from, nor what motivates him to make such a generous donation to Bright Christmas.
We do know that he is one among many generous Tablet readers who send or bring their financial contribution to our Bright Christmas drive every year.
A letter came by mail the other day from a generous lady in Queens who sent a check for $25. She said that she was a longtime reader of The Tablet, but was “embarrassed” to say that this was the first time she had donated to Bright Christmas. We are so happy to have her among our donors.
To date, more than 3,000 readers have sent in $98,484.30, with more envelopes waiting to be opened. Monies that do not find their ways to the needy before Christmas, will be sent in time for “Little Christmas,” the Feast of the Epiphany,” Jan 6.
So many donors tell us that they wish they could give more. We accept whatever you can give and we promise you that it will find its way into the hands of those who need it most. We thank you for it!
Last chance to contribute to Bright Christmas! Send your donation to Bright Christmas, c/o The Tablet, 310 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY, 11215.
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