Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 8:31 PM
Subject: Re: Re:
> as far as I knew I thought we were Catholics celebrating the Lord's birthday
>
> Why a need to combine/ destroy CHRISTmas? People are trying to secularize
> Christmas and everything else sacred. They want culture of death not life.
>
> People can celebrate what they want--I am all for that but dont blur
> Christmas in with the other holidays which takes place now. Send Christmas
> cards to those celebrating Christmas and send Ramadan to those celebrating
> Ramadan--I have no idea who is celebrating Kwanza and ill end that there.
>
> Do people celebrating Ramadan, whatever else is being celebrated this month
> want polar bears, snowflakes, snowmen, or whatever that is supposed to
> represent a secular Christmas on there Ramadan card?
>
> It seems we dont want to offend the 10% of Americans not celebrating
> Christmas--so that is 90% of people here are celebrating Christmas in some
> fashion. Who are these with a war on Christmas? They dont want to be
> offended and thus want us to celebrate happy holiday or season greetings???
> I am insulted as a Catholic by people trying to remove Christ from
> Christmas.
>
> Keep Christ in Christmas
> Gerry
Showing posts with label Keep Christ in Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Keep Christ in Christmas. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Monday, January 22, 2007
Letter to Catholic Review
The greek Chi explanation is ridiculous. Are we speaking greek here in the US?
Keep the Christ in Christmas! No need to abbreviate/ speak in tongues while speaking or writing his name. It is Christ not X or Chi. Anything other than that is at the least laziness.
As Christians, saying or writing x-mas sends a message to the anti-Christ crowd that it doesnt matter to us as well.
Gerry
Keep the Christ in Christmas! No need to abbreviate/ speak in tongues while speaking or writing his name. It is Christ not X or Chi. Anything other than that is at the least laziness.
As Christians, saying or writing x-mas sends a message to the anti-Christ crowd that it doesnt matter to us as well.
Gerry
Friday, December 29, 2006
Pro-Life New Year's Resolutions for 2007
Pro-Life New Year's Resolutions for 2007
Yesterday was the Feast of the Holy Innocents in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. This feast celebrates the deaths of innocent children who literally died for (in place of) Christ and whom the Church has venerated as martyrs officially since about the sixth century. Their feast day has always been located in the Octave of Christmas to emphasize their intimate connection with the baby Jesus. We are reminded on this day of both the fragility of new life and our obligation to protect it and so it is fitting that as we enter this new year I challenge each of you to renew your commitment to the defense of innocent life.
First, contemplate. The Holy Innocents' feast day serves both as a reminder of a tragic historical event and as a grim reality check for those of us who live in this society where abortion is practiced as casually as shopping! A short moment of reflection on this scriptural passage will help us to discern the parallels to the abortion industry in our society: the irrational command of a powerful person to kill, the executioners with blood on their hands, the suffering of the innocent victims and the secondary victims who were scarred forever by the deaths of their children. We also contemplate the truth that "where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more," (Rom 5:20) in order to see how God brings good out of so much evil.
Second, pray. Pray for those who are blinded to this reality and ask God to grant them the grace of conversion. Remember that we are all tainted by this massacre of innocents because our lives are intertwined with the culture of death, so we must pray with humility for the gift of perseverance to bring it to an end. Prayer will bring the power of Christ to bear on this sinful institution of death. He alone can transform the world.
Third, act. God does not work through prayers only. We are His hands and feet in this world so our pro-life resolutions for 2007 have to be very direct and specific; if you are not sure what to do, I have given some suggestions below on how to meet the challenges set before us:
Find the local abortion clinic in your community and make a promise to pray there at least three times in 2007 - minimum.
While you're at it, find the local pregnancy care center and make contact with them. It is likely they are in need of volunteers. Be one of them! They all operate on shoe-string budgets too so support them!
Speak up in some forum and defend life, be it on the internet, in a letter to the editor, or in conversations with friends, family and co-workers. Of course they will call you a fanatic! It does not matter. You must think of that Day when the Lord will ask you what you did to defend His precious little ones. You must be able to say you spoke out on their behalf.
Boycott the businesses that fund the death industry. These groups don't deserve one dollar of our hard-earned money if they are material cooperators in the killing of innocents. The most reputable boycott group that I know of is Life Decisions International whose detailed corporate boycott list you can order from their website (www.fightpp.org) and who provide ongoing insight into the activities of Planned Parenthood.
I'm sure there's much more we can all do, but these things are good for starters! I will be praying for you and your families as we finish this year of pro-life election losses and enter into a year full of hope and promise. May the Holy Innocents guide our commitment to be more active in saving their innocent brothers and sisters!
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer
President, Human Life International
Yesterday was the Feast of the Holy Innocents in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. This feast celebrates the deaths of innocent children who literally died for (in place of) Christ and whom the Church has venerated as martyrs officially since about the sixth century. Their feast day has always been located in the Octave of Christmas to emphasize their intimate connection with the baby Jesus. We are reminded on this day of both the fragility of new life and our obligation to protect it and so it is fitting that as we enter this new year I challenge each of you to renew your commitment to the defense of innocent life.
First, contemplate. The Holy Innocents' feast day serves both as a reminder of a tragic historical event and as a grim reality check for those of us who live in this society where abortion is practiced as casually as shopping! A short moment of reflection on this scriptural passage will help us to discern the parallels to the abortion industry in our society: the irrational command of a powerful person to kill, the executioners with blood on their hands, the suffering of the innocent victims and the secondary victims who were scarred forever by the deaths of their children. We also contemplate the truth that "where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more," (Rom 5:20) in order to see how God brings good out of so much evil.
Second, pray. Pray for those who are blinded to this reality and ask God to grant them the grace of conversion. Remember that we are all tainted by this massacre of innocents because our lives are intertwined with the culture of death, so we must pray with humility for the gift of perseverance to bring it to an end. Prayer will bring the power of Christ to bear on this sinful institution of death. He alone can transform the world.
Third, act. God does not work through prayers only. We are His hands and feet in this world so our pro-life resolutions for 2007 have to be very direct and specific; if you are not sure what to do, I have given some suggestions below on how to meet the challenges set before us:
Find the local abortion clinic in your community and make a promise to pray there at least three times in 2007 - minimum.
While you're at it, find the local pregnancy care center and make contact with them. It is likely they are in need of volunteers. Be one of them! They all operate on shoe-string budgets too so support them!
Speak up in some forum and defend life, be it on the internet, in a letter to the editor, or in conversations with friends, family and co-workers. Of course they will call you a fanatic! It does not matter. You must think of that Day when the Lord will ask you what you did to defend His precious little ones. You must be able to say you spoke out on their behalf.
Boycott the businesses that fund the death industry. These groups don't deserve one dollar of our hard-earned money if they are material cooperators in the killing of innocents. The most reputable boycott group that I know of is Life Decisions International whose detailed corporate boycott list you can order from their website (www.fightpp.org) and who provide ongoing insight into the activities of Planned Parenthood.
I'm sure there's much more we can all do, but these things are good for starters! I will be praying for you and your families as we finish this year of pro-life election losses and enter into a year full of hope and promise. May the Holy Innocents guide our commitment to be more active in saving their innocent brothers and sisters!
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer
President, Human Life International
New Year's Weekend
We are thinking of going to Beefs tomorrow afternoon if anyone wants to meet us
I was going to visit Sharon at work today but got my crates in which I was awaiting for over a year so that was like a 2nd Christmas ripping into the crates.
Sunday--like to go to St Alphonsus for the Tridentine Mass or Latin--always very nice at 1130 if anyone want to join us--maybe do something at inner harbor after.
Sunday night--not sure
Monday--reserved soccer dome indoor soccer from 2-3p--if anyone needs some exercise
Now Sharon is off on Tuesday as well
Gerry
I was going to visit Sharon at work today but got my crates in which I was awaiting for over a year so that was like a 2nd Christmas ripping into the crates.
Sunday--like to go to St Alphonsus for the Tridentine Mass or Latin--always very nice at 1130 if anyone want to join us--maybe do something at inner harbor after.
Sunday night--not sure
Monday--reserved soccer dome indoor soccer from 2-3p--if anyone needs some exercise
Now Sharon is off on Tuesday as well
Gerry
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
humanity consider itself the "self-sufficient master of its own destiny."
CHRISTMAS-POPE Dec-26-2006 (1,230 words) With photos. xxxi
World needs a savior despite modern advances, pope says at Christmas
By John Thavis
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Celebrating Christmas at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI said the world still needs a savior, despite technological advances that make humanity consider itself the "self-sufficient master of its own destiny."
At Midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, the pope said the birth of Christ should focus attention on all the suffering and abused children in contemporary society.
Later, in a Christmas Day blessing "urbi et orbi" -- to the city of Rome and the world -- he said recent developments like space travel, genetic engineering and the Internet only accentuate man's need for spiritual salvation.
"In this postmodern age, perhaps he needs a savior all the more, since the society in which he lives has become more complex and the threats to his personal and moral integrity have become more insidious," the pope said.
The Mass and blessing, broadcast around the world, were the public highlights of the pope's Christmas, but the 79-year-old pontiff also marked the festivities in quieter gatherings with friends and colleagues.
An old friend drove down from Germany with three small Christmas trees -- which were decorated and placed in the papal apartment -- and several batches of Bavarian cookies. A separate gift of venison meat arrived from Germany in time for Christmas dinner.
On Christmas Eve, as a crowd gathered for the unveiling of the Vatican's own larger-than-life Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square, the pope made his way to the packed basilica for midnight Mass.
Young children from five continents brought flowers to a statue of the baby Jesus in front of the altar, a moment that highlighted the liturgy's international atmosphere.
In a sermon, the pope said the meaning of Christmas was quite simple: God "makes himself small for us."
"This is how he reigns. He does not come with power and outward splendor. He comes as a baby -- defenseless and in need of our help," he said.
"In this way God teaches us to love the little ones. In this way he teaches us to love the weak. In this way he teaches us respect for children," he said.
The pope said Christmas should draw people's attention to all children who suffer and are abused in the world, "the born and the unborn," particularly those who are hungry, unloved, forced to beg or "placed as soldiers in a violent world."
He emphasized that the sign of Christmas -- a newborn baby lying in a manger -- corresponds with the essentially straightforward message brought by Jesus: to love God and love one's neighbor.
"This is everything -- the whole faith is contained in this one act of love which embraces God and humanity," he said.
He said this core message has sometimes been turned into something long and complex, especially by Scripture experts who "became entangled in details and in particular problems, almost to the extent of losing an overall perspective."
In the season of giving at Christmas, the pope encouraged people to reflect the spirit of Jesus' selfless love.
"When you give gifts for Christmas, do not give only to those who will give to you in return, but give to those who receive from no one and who cannot give you anything back," he said.
At noon the next day, in an event broadcast to some 60 countries, the pope offered his blessing and pronounced Christmas greetings in 62 languages, including Chinese, Arabic and Latin.
"May the birth of the Prince of Peace remind the world where its true happiness lies; and may your hearts be filled with hope and joy, for the Savior has been born for us," he said in English.
Speaking from the central outside balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the pope asked whether the idea of a savior still has meaning "for a humanity that has reached the moon and Mars and is prepared to conquer the universe; for a humanity which knows no limits in its pursuit of nature's secrets and which has succeeded even in deciphering the marvelous codes of the human genome?"
"Is a savior needed by a humanity which has invented interactive communication, which navigates in the virtual ocean of the Internet and, thanks to the most advanced modern communications technologies, has now made the earth, our great common home, a global village?" he asked.
Yet despite these advances, he said, the need for Christianity's saving message is also evident: many people continue to die of hunger, disease and poverty, even in an age of unbridled consumerism; some are enslaved and exploited; and some are victims of racial or religious hatred and discrimination.
"Others see their own bodies and those of their dear ones, particularly their children, maimed by weaponry, by terrorism and by all sorts of violence, at a time when everyone invokes and acclaims progress, solidarity and peace for all," he said.
The pope said the catalogue of suffering includes those misled by "facile prophets of happiness," who struggle with relationships, loneliness, alcohol and drugs, and who "choose death in the belief that they are celebrating life."
All this adds up to a "heart-rending cry for help," he said. It illustrates that despite humanity's material progress it always needs a savior to help choose between good and evil.
The pope then turned his attention to areas of conflict throughout the world:
-- He made an "appeal to all those who hold in their hands the fate of Iraq, that there will be an end to the brutal violence that has brought so much bloodshed to the country, and that every one of its inhabitants will be safe to lead a normal life."
-- He said he was deeply apprehensive about the continuing crisis in the Middle East, but expressed hope at recent signs of a resumption of dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis. In a separate Christmas message to Middle East Catholics, he also said he wanted to visit the Holy Land as soon as circumstances permitted such a pilgrimage.
-- He lamented the destruction and uncertainty in Lebanon, where a war last summer left many victims, but said he was confident that a democratic Lebanon would survive.
-- He urged an end to civil strife in Sri Lanka, and prayed that fratricidal conflicts in Darfur and other African areas would cease.
The pope then explained why Christmas should stimulate the church in its evangelizing mission. The belief that "our Savior is born for all" must be proclaimed in word and deed by Christians everywhere, he said.
The church evangelizes with passionate enthusiasm, with joy and with full respect for all cultural and religious traditions, he said.
He ended his talk with a direct appeal to the millions watching and listening around the world to "open your hearts" to Christ as the savior of the world.
On Dec. 26, the pope recalled the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, and prayed for Catholics who are persecuted today because they show fidelity to the Vatican "without accepting compromises, sometimes at the price of serious consequences."
The pope appeared to be referring to China, where a government-approved Catholic association rejects Vatican ties, and where underground Catholics loyal to Rome have been the targets of discrimination.
"The entire church admires this example and prays so that they have the strength to persevere," the pope said.
END
Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250
World needs a savior despite modern advances, pope says at Christmas
By John Thavis
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Celebrating Christmas at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI said the world still needs a savior, despite technological advances that make humanity consider itself the "self-sufficient master of its own destiny."
At Midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, the pope said the birth of Christ should focus attention on all the suffering and abused children in contemporary society.
Later, in a Christmas Day blessing "urbi et orbi" -- to the city of Rome and the world -- he said recent developments like space travel, genetic engineering and the Internet only accentuate man's need for spiritual salvation.
"In this postmodern age, perhaps he needs a savior all the more, since the society in which he lives has become more complex and the threats to his personal and moral integrity have become more insidious," the pope said.
The Mass and blessing, broadcast around the world, were the public highlights of the pope's Christmas, but the 79-year-old pontiff also marked the festivities in quieter gatherings with friends and colleagues.
An old friend drove down from Germany with three small Christmas trees -- which were decorated and placed in the papal apartment -- and several batches of Bavarian cookies. A separate gift of venison meat arrived from Germany in time for Christmas dinner.
On Christmas Eve, as a crowd gathered for the unveiling of the Vatican's own larger-than-life Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square, the pope made his way to the packed basilica for midnight Mass.
Young children from five continents brought flowers to a statue of the baby Jesus in front of the altar, a moment that highlighted the liturgy's international atmosphere.
In a sermon, the pope said the meaning of Christmas was quite simple: God "makes himself small for us."
"This is how he reigns. He does not come with power and outward splendor. He comes as a baby -- defenseless and in need of our help," he said.
"In this way God teaches us to love the little ones. In this way he teaches us to love the weak. In this way he teaches us respect for children," he said.
The pope said Christmas should draw people's attention to all children who suffer and are abused in the world, "the born and the unborn," particularly those who are hungry, unloved, forced to beg or "placed as soldiers in a violent world."
He emphasized that the sign of Christmas -- a newborn baby lying in a manger -- corresponds with the essentially straightforward message brought by Jesus: to love God and love one's neighbor.
"This is everything -- the whole faith is contained in this one act of love which embraces God and humanity," he said.
He said this core message has sometimes been turned into something long and complex, especially by Scripture experts who "became entangled in details and in particular problems, almost to the extent of losing an overall perspective."
In the season of giving at Christmas, the pope encouraged people to reflect the spirit of Jesus' selfless love.
"When you give gifts for Christmas, do not give only to those who will give to you in return, but give to those who receive from no one and who cannot give you anything back," he said.
At noon the next day, in an event broadcast to some 60 countries, the pope offered his blessing and pronounced Christmas greetings in 62 languages, including Chinese, Arabic and Latin.
"May the birth of the Prince of Peace remind the world where its true happiness lies; and may your hearts be filled with hope and joy, for the Savior has been born for us," he said in English.
Speaking from the central outside balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the pope asked whether the idea of a savior still has meaning "for a humanity that has reached the moon and Mars and is prepared to conquer the universe; for a humanity which knows no limits in its pursuit of nature's secrets and which has succeeded even in deciphering the marvelous codes of the human genome?"
"Is a savior needed by a humanity which has invented interactive communication, which navigates in the virtual ocean of the Internet and, thanks to the most advanced modern communications technologies, has now made the earth, our great common home, a global village?" he asked.
Yet despite these advances, he said, the need for Christianity's saving message is also evident: many people continue to die of hunger, disease and poverty, even in an age of unbridled consumerism; some are enslaved and exploited; and some are victims of racial or religious hatred and discrimination.
"Others see their own bodies and those of their dear ones, particularly their children, maimed by weaponry, by terrorism and by all sorts of violence, at a time when everyone invokes and acclaims progress, solidarity and peace for all," he said.
The pope said the catalogue of suffering includes those misled by "facile prophets of happiness," who struggle with relationships, loneliness, alcohol and drugs, and who "choose death in the belief that they are celebrating life."
All this adds up to a "heart-rending cry for help," he said. It illustrates that despite humanity's material progress it always needs a savior to help choose between good and evil.
The pope then turned his attention to areas of conflict throughout the world:
-- He made an "appeal to all those who hold in their hands the fate of Iraq, that there will be an end to the brutal violence that has brought so much bloodshed to the country, and that every one of its inhabitants will be safe to lead a normal life."
-- He said he was deeply apprehensive about the continuing crisis in the Middle East, but expressed hope at recent signs of a resumption of dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis. In a separate Christmas message to Middle East Catholics, he also said he wanted to visit the Holy Land as soon as circumstances permitted such a pilgrimage.
-- He lamented the destruction and uncertainty in Lebanon, where a war last summer left many victims, but said he was confident that a democratic Lebanon would survive.
-- He urged an end to civil strife in Sri Lanka, and prayed that fratricidal conflicts in Darfur and other African areas would cease.
The pope then explained why Christmas should stimulate the church in its evangelizing mission. The belief that "our Savior is born for all" must be proclaimed in word and deed by Christians everywhere, he said.
The church evangelizes with passionate enthusiasm, with joy and with full respect for all cultural and religious traditions, he said.
He ended his talk with a direct appeal to the millions watching and listening around the world to "open your hearts" to Christ as the savior of the world.
On Dec. 26, the pope recalled the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, and prayed for Catholics who are persecuted today because they show fidelity to the Vatican "without accepting compromises, sometimes at the price of serious consequences."
The pope appeared to be referring to China, where a government-approved Catholic association rejects Vatican ties, and where underground Catholics loyal to Rome have been the targets of discrimination.
"The entire church admires this example and prays so that they have the strength to persevere," the pope said.
END
Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250
26th Of December
2nd day in Octave of Christmas/ St Stephen's Feast day.
Just got home from 830a Mass/ McDonalds with Brooke and Ava/ haircut.
Yesterday: Christmas--kids opened presents about 6a. Family over about 2ish to about 8ish
Christmas Eve: set up Nintendo Wii and played until 430p Mass at Arundel HS and then over to the Lauths afterwards.
Saturday 23rd: 830a Mass/ kids chocolate party in afternoon/ 4th Sunday of Advent Mass at 5p and the Norman's Christmas party in the evening.
Gerry
Just got home from 830a Mass/ McDonalds with Brooke and Ava/ haircut.
Yesterday: Christmas--kids opened presents about 6a. Family over about 2ish to about 8ish
Christmas Eve: set up Nintendo Wii and played until 430p Mass at Arundel HS and then over to the Lauths afterwards.
Saturday 23rd: 830a Mass/ kids chocolate party in afternoon/ 4th Sunday of Advent Mass at 5p and the Norman's Christmas party in the evening.
Gerry
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Fed 245 Homeless Last night
Goal was to feed 200 last night--I think highest before was 180 or so--but 245 passed through the doors last night. I suppose if you build it they will come, especially on a cold, damp, and rainy night. There continued to be a nice flow in and out all night--perhaps as people left they told there buddies to check out the feast.
There was surely a truckload of items brought up to Baltimore last night: Over 8 big coolers of soda/ water/ juice boxes; gigantic table of desserts/ cotton candy; had to be over 35 casseroles incl some 8 of meatballs and sausages to go with tons of submarine rolls. Each casseroles especially the meatballs and sausage should have fed 8-10 people so those 240 ate well with food piled high. Don't believe a crumb was leftover.
They also received a bag to add fruit, sandwiches, etc while going through the buffet line. When they left each received a bag of snacks/ toiletries as well as bag of winter items: sweatshirts/ hat/ gloves/ etc. All were very grateful!!!
THANKS to all whom helped in any way. On top of the 245 served, there had to be over 50 whom came out to serve.
Who is ready for next month: January 26 ?
Keeping Christ in Christmas
Gerry
There was surely a truckload of items brought up to Baltimore last night: Over 8 big coolers of soda/ water/ juice boxes; gigantic table of desserts/ cotton candy; had to be over 35 casseroles incl some 8 of meatballs and sausages to go with tons of submarine rolls. Each casseroles especially the meatballs and sausage should have fed 8-10 people so those 240 ate well with food piled high. Don't believe a crumb was leftover.
They also received a bag to add fruit, sandwiches, etc while going through the buffet line. When they left each received a bag of snacks/ toiletries as well as bag of winter items: sweatshirts/ hat/ gloves/ etc. All were very grateful!!!
THANKS to all whom helped in any way. On top of the 245 served, there had to be over 50 whom came out to serve.
Who is ready for next month: January 26 ?
Keeping Christ in Christmas
Gerry
Friday, December 22, 2006
Feed the Homeless Day
All in order to go!
Just returned from church and there are some 11 casseroles in the fridge and 2 trays of brownies.
Ill be back at 3p to start cooking. May be a struggle to cook all so if possible if you can cook and bring up before 4p that may be the best.
We will be packing 200 bags of winter items--someone dropped off some real nice winter coats yesterday. Plus 200 sweatshirts/ gloves/ hats/ scarves/ etc. Also, packing in another bag: candy/ gum/ snacks/ toiletries/ etc. So, each will get a bag of each.
I think we have enough coolers for everything--if you have an extra let me know.
Also, I think we have enough room to transport all--if you have room let me know--tons of stuff.
All should ready to be served by 5p. Again dinner will include: salads from Beef'O'Brady's / casseroles/ desserts/ fruit.
Jet Services/ Aramark/ Ravens sending over: 250 rolls/ hot coffee and cocoa/ fruit/ cotton candy.
Upon leaving is when each will get a 2 bags of goodies as well as a to-go sandwich meal from Beef'O'Brady.
Gerry
Thursday, December 21, 2006
X-MAS
Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 6:28 AM
Subject: Re Xmas
It still drives me nuts when I see this. We dont speak greek and I guess if we did we could call it 'chi'-mas not x-mas. I still think it is the lazy way out--not to spend the time on 5 more letters to spell the whole word.
Gerry
Subject: Re Xmas
It still drives me nuts when I see this. We dont speak greek and I guess if we did we could call it 'chi'-mas not x-mas. I still think it is the lazy way out--not to spend the time on 5 more letters to spell the whole word.
Gerry
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Is There a War on Christmas? You Betcha!
Is There a War on Christmas? You Betcha!
By Tim Wildmon
December 19, 2006
(AgapePress) - Perhaps you saw the story out of the state of Washington last week, where a Jewish rabbi wanted to have a menorah (seven-branched candelabrum) put up at the Seattle-Tacoma airport alongside the "holiday" trees that are traditionally on display this time of year. Before political correctness came along, we all knew that these trees were called Christmas trees. In fact, there is a fellow selling trees near my house whose sign reads: "We don't sell holiday trees; we sell Christmas trees." Now there is a man after my own heart!
Those responsible for putting the trees up at the airport -- the Seattle Port Authority -- took them down very quickly when they got the letter from the rabbi. When the rabbi explained that he was not threatening legal action to have the trees removed -- only that he was requesting a menorah be put up -- the trees went back up again. Follow me here? It was a total overreaction on the part of the Port Authority, but this is the climate the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has created in our country where public officials think they may be sued because they display Christmas trees. Not Nativity scenes mind you, but trees. It's insane.
The NBC Today show interviewed me on Monday about this story and about the general idea of a war on Christmas. They wanted to know what I thought about it. They taped a good 20 minutes of questions and answers. Ten seconds of it showed up on the program. But what I basically said was, "Yes, there is a war on Christmas. How many examples do you need?"
I went on to explain that there are forces afoot in America that want to "sanitize" our country of its Christian heritage, and one of the ways this can be accomplished is by diminishing the impact of Christ on Christmas and diminishing the impact of Christmas on the American consciousness. You do this over time. This is also accomplished under the banner of promoting "multi-culturalism," "diversity" and "tolerance" -- all of which I don't have a problem with in their proper context. But what I resent, and a whole lot of Americans resent, is when in the name of multi-culturalism, diversity and tolerance, we began to sacrifice traditions that have made America great in the first place.
For example, news services across the country reported this earlier in the week: "Zogby polling shows an overwhelming majority (95 percent) say they are not offended by being greeted with a 'Merry Christmas' while shopping, including 98 percent for weekly Wal-Mart shoppers. But greet them with a 'Happy Holidays,' and 46 percent say they take offense."
The reason that 46 percent of those surveyed take offense is because they are Christmas shopping, not holiday shopping, and everyone knows this. Families don't give each other presents on Thanksgiving Day. Kids don't run downstairs on New Year's morning seeing what awaits them under the holiday tree. The Christmas-gift buying season is what keeps the American retail business in business.
These numbers also mean that most citizens want Christmas to maintain the special place it has long held in the American heart. We don't want to see Christmas melt into a generic "holiday season" or "winter celebration" some hard-core secularists and atheists want to see happen.
Now I am about to give you an example of how the political correctness / multi-culturalism movement seeks to remove the Christian message about Christmas from the scene. One of the things it has done recently is attempt to elevate Hanukkah and Kwanzaa as if they were equal to Christmas in American cultural relevance. They are not, but because we have been brainwashed with political correctness for a number of years now -- and because we are fearful of being labeled racist or as anti-Jewish -- many people in our country feel compelled to mention Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in the same sentence with Christmas. In America, Christmas -- as a holiday -- has always been in a league of its own. It points to the message of Christ and to our Christian heritage, and that is what the multi-culturalists and the politically-correct crowd want to change.
Hanukkah is actually a minor Jewish holiday. Passover and Yom Kippur are much more important to practicing Jews. As for Kwanzaa -- which is a celebration of African culture observed from Dec. 26 - Jan. 1 -- very few people had ever even heard of it before 10 years ago. The majority of African-Americans don't even celebrate it. Compare that to the fact that the vast majority of black people do celebrate Christmas.
Another interesting fact here is that Christians do not consider the tree to have any spiritual significance. Especially in the same way a Jew looks at a menorah for instance. A Nativity scene would be the equivalent to the Christian. The tree is simply a traditional decoration that many Americans use to mark the Christmas season. Most people consider them just something nice to look at.
As a Christian I don't have a particular problem with the menorah being up at an airport. After all, Christianity does have its roots in Judaism. But putting the Christmas trees back up was the right thing to do. We can't give in to those who are on a mission to rewrite the history of America and remove any vestige of Christianity from the public square.
Tim Wildmon is president of American Family Association, one of the largest pro-family organizations in the country. He also leads tours of Washington, DC, and Mount Vernon twice a year with special emphasis on America's Christian heritage. More information on the tours is available at SpiritualHeritageTours.com.
© 2006 AgapePress all rights reserved.
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By Tim Wildmon
December 19, 2006
(AgapePress) - Perhaps you saw the story out of the state of Washington last week, where a Jewish rabbi wanted to have a menorah (seven-branched candelabrum) put up at the Seattle-Tacoma airport alongside the "holiday" trees that are traditionally on display this time of year. Before political correctness came along, we all knew that these trees were called Christmas trees. In fact, there is a fellow selling trees near my house whose sign reads: "We don't sell holiday trees; we sell Christmas trees." Now there is a man after my own heart!
Those responsible for putting the trees up at the airport -- the Seattle Port Authority -- took them down very quickly when they got the letter from the rabbi. When the rabbi explained that he was not threatening legal action to have the trees removed -- only that he was requesting a menorah be put up -- the trees went back up again. Follow me here? It was a total overreaction on the part of the Port Authority, but this is the climate the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has created in our country where public officials think they may be sued because they display Christmas trees. Not Nativity scenes mind you, but trees. It's insane.
The NBC Today show interviewed me on Monday about this story and about the general idea of a war on Christmas. They wanted to know what I thought about it. They taped a good 20 minutes of questions and answers. Ten seconds of it showed up on the program. But what I basically said was, "Yes, there is a war on Christmas. How many examples do you need?"
I went on to explain that there are forces afoot in America that want to "sanitize" our country of its Christian heritage, and one of the ways this can be accomplished is by diminishing the impact of Christ on Christmas and diminishing the impact of Christmas on the American consciousness. You do this over time. This is also accomplished under the banner of promoting "multi-culturalism," "diversity" and "tolerance" -- all of which I don't have a problem with in their proper context. But what I resent, and a whole lot of Americans resent, is when in the name of multi-culturalism, diversity and tolerance, we began to sacrifice traditions that have made America great in the first place.
For example, news services across the country reported this earlier in the week: "Zogby polling shows an overwhelming majority (95 percent) say they are not offended by being greeted with a 'Merry Christmas' while shopping, including 98 percent for weekly Wal-Mart shoppers. But greet them with a 'Happy Holidays,' and 46 percent say they take offense."
The reason that 46 percent of those surveyed take offense is because they are Christmas shopping, not holiday shopping, and everyone knows this. Families don't give each other presents on Thanksgiving Day. Kids don't run downstairs on New Year's morning seeing what awaits them under the holiday tree. The Christmas-gift buying season is what keeps the American retail business in business.
These numbers also mean that most citizens want Christmas to maintain the special place it has long held in the American heart. We don't want to see Christmas melt into a generic "holiday season" or "winter celebration" some hard-core secularists and atheists want to see happen.
Now I am about to give you an example of how the political correctness / multi-culturalism movement seeks to remove the Christian message about Christmas from the scene. One of the things it has done recently is attempt to elevate Hanukkah and Kwanzaa as if they were equal to Christmas in American cultural relevance. They are not, but because we have been brainwashed with political correctness for a number of years now -- and because we are fearful of being labeled racist or as anti-Jewish -- many people in our country feel compelled to mention Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in the same sentence with Christmas. In America, Christmas -- as a holiday -- has always been in a league of its own. It points to the message of Christ and to our Christian heritage, and that is what the multi-culturalists and the politically-correct crowd want to change.
Hanukkah is actually a minor Jewish holiday. Passover and Yom Kippur are much more important to practicing Jews. As for Kwanzaa -- which is a celebration of African culture observed from Dec. 26 - Jan. 1 -- very few people had ever even heard of it before 10 years ago. The majority of African-Americans don't even celebrate it. Compare that to the fact that the vast majority of black people do celebrate Christmas.
Another interesting fact here is that Christians do not consider the tree to have any spiritual significance. Especially in the same way a Jew looks at a menorah for instance. A Nativity scene would be the equivalent to the Christian. The tree is simply a traditional decoration that many Americans use to mark the Christmas season. Most people consider them just something nice to look at.
As a Christian I don't have a particular problem with the menorah being up at an airport. After all, Christianity does have its roots in Judaism. But putting the Christmas trees back up was the right thing to do. We can't give in to those who are on a mission to rewrite the history of America and remove any vestige of Christianity from the public square.
Tim Wildmon is president of American Family Association, one of the largest pro-family organizations in the country. He also leads tours of Washington, DC, and Mount Vernon twice a year with special emphasis on America's Christian heritage. More information on the tours is available at SpiritualHeritageTours.com.
© 2006 AgapePress all rights reserved.
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Monday, December 18, 2006
Christmas Banquet Comments
Hello Gerry:
You should be commended for all the work you are doing on this. We have tow large coolers you can use if you need them.
David
You should be commended for all the work you are doing on this. We have tow large coolers you can use if you need them.
David
Casserole Supper: Monday
Ok--looking real good for Friday
Still need about $150
Also, drinks and desserts
Casseroles looking good--just limited on how many I can cook/ transport.
Not packing goodie bags until Thurs --maybe Friday am since I have to wait until all my orders come in--so could still use winter clothes items/ toiletries/ etc.
May need coolers for casseroles and drinks. Not sure on how many transporters/ servers I have but we have a bunch of stuff to transport. Looks like we will serve buffet style.
Thanks
Gerry
Still need about $150
Also, drinks and desserts
Casseroles looking good--just limited on how many I can cook/ transport.
Not packing goodie bags until Thurs --maybe Friday am since I have to wait until all my orders come in--so could still use winter clothes items/ toiletries/ etc.
May need coolers for casseroles and drinks. Not sure on how many transporters/ servers I have but we have a bunch of stuff to transport. Looks like we will serve buffet style.
Thanks
Gerry
Friday, December 15, 2006
Casserole Update--week away
Planning to head to BJ's this afternoon.
If I get all items for the goodie-bag, id like to start putting them together on Sunday around 2p.
Will take as well any gently-worn backpacks/ sweatshirts/ etc/
********************************************
Still accepting money/ casseroles/ desserts/ drinks/ etc.
*********************************************
Next Friday: Need help preparing all/ baking casseroles at church/ looks like will need help transporting items/ serving/ cleaning-up.
I know a couple of families already told me they'd love to help.
Thanks
Gerry
If I get all items for the goodie-bag, id like to start putting them together on Sunday around 2p.
Will take as well any gently-worn backpacks/ sweatshirts/ etc/
********************************************
Still accepting money/ casseroles/ desserts/ drinks/ etc.
*********************************************
Next Friday: Need help preparing all/ baking casseroles at church/ looks like will need help transporting items/ serving/ cleaning-up.
I know a couple of families already told me they'd love to help.
Thanks
Gerry
When was Jesus Born?
When was Jesus Born?
by Fr. William P. Saunders
Was Christ really born on December 25?
One would think that if anyone's date of birth were remembered exactly, it would that of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the Gospels do not pinpoint the date of Christ's birth. The reason is probably that the focus of the Gospels is on the kerygma or mystery of redemption — the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. This focus is also probably why St. Mark's Gospel does not even include the Christmas story, but instead begins with the baptism of the Lord at the River Jordan. Easter, on the other hand, can be better dated because of its concurrence with Passover.
Prior to the legalization of Christianity by the Emperor Constantine in 313 A.D., no universal date or even formal celebration of Christmas is found. For instance, Origen (d. 255), St. Irenaeus (d. 202) and Tertullian (d. 220) do not include Christmas or its date on their lists of feasts and celebrations. Again, the spiritual focus was on Easter.
After legalization, the Church was better able to establish universal dates for feasts and to organize their public celebration. Moreover, the Church had to address emerging controversies concerning Jesus as true God and true man, and how He entered this world. Such concern would focus more attention on the importance of celebrating Christmas, the birth of our Lord.
On the more "practical" side of this issue, Roman pagans used to gather at the hill where the Vatican is presently located to commemorate the "Birth of the Unconquered Sun." This pagan feast was celebrated throughout the Empire either on Dec. 25 (according to the Julian Calendar) or on Jan. 6 (according to the Egyptian calendar). Although not proven with certainty, some historians credit Constantine, who declared Sunday as a day of rest in the Empire, with replacing the pagan festival with that of Christmas.
However, we must not impetuously conclude that Constantine simply wanted to replace one imperial pagan religious festival with another imperial Christian religious festival. There is a deeper theological reason why Dec. 25 was chosen as the date to celebrate the birth of our Lord. St. Paul indicates in his Letters to the Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians a cosmic relationship with Christ. Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity, true God and consubstantial with the Father for all eternity. He is the Word of God, through Whom the Father spoke and creation unfolded: A In Him everything in Heaven and on earth was created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, principalities, or powers; all were created through Him, and for Him@ (Col 1:16). By the will of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus entered this world, true God become true man, A the image of the invisible God@ (Col 1:15). Only Christ, true God who became also true man, could take unto Himself the burden of all sin: A It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in Him, and by means of Him, to reconcile everything in His person, both on earth and the heavens, making peace through the blood of His cross@ (Col 1:20). Moreover, on Easter Sunday, Christ rose from the dead; He conquered not just sin, but death itself. Through His passion, death and resurrection, Christ has created a new world order, A so that at Jesus= name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: Jesus Christ is Lord@ (Phil 2:10-11). Therefore, A God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery, the plan He was pleased to decree in Christ, to be carried out in the fullness of time: namely to bring all things in the heavens and on earth into one under Christ= s headship@ (Eph 1:9-10).
With this teaching in mind, the birth of Christ marks the beginning of a new world order, a restoration of the cosmos and a reconciliation of mankind with God — all of which will be fulfilled in the passion, death and resurrection. Interestingly, since the 200s, Jesus was honored with the title, "Sun of Justice." So rightly, the Church utilized a Roman pagan feast, A The Birth of the Unconquered Sun,@ and positively transformed it into a commemoration of the Birth of Christ, the Lord of creation and the light that came into the world to dispel sin and darkness.
Later Christmas sermons reflected this understanding: St. Jerome preached, A Even creation approves our preaching. The universe itself bears witness to the truth of our words. Up to this day [Christmas], the dark days increase, but from this day the darkness decreases … The light advances, while the night retreats.@ St. Augustine preached, A Brethren, let us rejoice. The heathen, too, may still be merry, for this day consecrates for us, not the visible sun, but the sun= s invisible Creator.@
In practice, Christmas was celebrated in Rome by Pope Liberius (352-66) on Dec. 25. On Dec. 25, 379, St. Gregory Nazianzus preached a Christmas sermon in Constantinople. In the Cathedral of Milan, St. Ambrose (d. 397) celebrated Christmas. Therefore, by the year 400, generally, the birth of Christ was set on Dec. 25 with the exception of Palestine, where it was celebrated on Jan. 6 until the mid-600s when it was then transferred to Dec. 25.
As an aside, the feast of the Epiphany also emerged in Gaul (the Roman province of present day France) about the year 361. This feast was moved to Jan. 6, which remains the official date.
While the concern for exact dating may preoccupy us at times, the most important point is celebrating the birth of our Lord. Remember that the title Christmas is derived from the Old English title Cristes Maesse which means "The Mass of Christ." This Christmas, may we lift up our hearts at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and receive our Lord, born again into our souls through the grace of the holy Eucharist.
by Fr. William P. Saunders
Was Christ really born on December 25?
One would think that if anyone's date of birth were remembered exactly, it would that of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the Gospels do not pinpoint the date of Christ's birth. The reason is probably that the focus of the Gospels is on the kerygma or mystery of redemption — the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. This focus is also probably why St. Mark's Gospel does not even include the Christmas story, but instead begins with the baptism of the Lord at the River Jordan. Easter, on the other hand, can be better dated because of its concurrence with Passover.
Prior to the legalization of Christianity by the Emperor Constantine in 313 A.D., no universal date or even formal celebration of Christmas is found. For instance, Origen (d. 255), St. Irenaeus (d. 202) and Tertullian (d. 220) do not include Christmas or its date on their lists of feasts and celebrations. Again, the spiritual focus was on Easter.
After legalization, the Church was better able to establish universal dates for feasts and to organize their public celebration. Moreover, the Church had to address emerging controversies concerning Jesus as true God and true man, and how He entered this world. Such concern would focus more attention on the importance of celebrating Christmas, the birth of our Lord.
On the more "practical" side of this issue, Roman pagans used to gather at the hill where the Vatican is presently located to commemorate the "Birth of the Unconquered Sun." This pagan feast was celebrated throughout the Empire either on Dec. 25 (according to the Julian Calendar) or on Jan. 6 (according to the Egyptian calendar). Although not proven with certainty, some historians credit Constantine, who declared Sunday as a day of rest in the Empire, with replacing the pagan festival with that of Christmas.
However, we must not impetuously conclude that Constantine simply wanted to replace one imperial pagan religious festival with another imperial Christian religious festival. There is a deeper theological reason why Dec. 25 was chosen as the date to celebrate the birth of our Lord. St. Paul indicates in his Letters to the Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians a cosmic relationship with Christ. Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity, true God and consubstantial with the Father for all eternity. He is the Word of God, through Whom the Father spoke and creation unfolded: A In Him everything in Heaven and on earth was created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, principalities, or powers; all were created through Him, and for Him@ (Col 1:16). By the will of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus entered this world, true God become true man, A the image of the invisible God@ (Col 1:15). Only Christ, true God who became also true man, could take unto Himself the burden of all sin: A It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in Him, and by means of Him, to reconcile everything in His person, both on earth and the heavens, making peace through the blood of His cross@ (Col 1:20). Moreover, on Easter Sunday, Christ rose from the dead; He conquered not just sin, but death itself. Through His passion, death and resurrection, Christ has created a new world order, A so that at Jesus= name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: Jesus Christ is Lord@ (Phil 2:10-11). Therefore, A God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery, the plan He was pleased to decree in Christ, to be carried out in the fullness of time: namely to bring all things in the heavens and on earth into one under Christ= s headship@ (Eph 1:9-10).
With this teaching in mind, the birth of Christ marks the beginning of a new world order, a restoration of the cosmos and a reconciliation of mankind with God — all of which will be fulfilled in the passion, death and resurrection. Interestingly, since the 200s, Jesus was honored with the title, "Sun of Justice." So rightly, the Church utilized a Roman pagan feast, A The Birth of the Unconquered Sun,@ and positively transformed it into a commemoration of the Birth of Christ, the Lord of creation and the light that came into the world to dispel sin and darkness.
Later Christmas sermons reflected this understanding: St. Jerome preached, A Even creation approves our preaching. The universe itself bears witness to the truth of our words. Up to this day [Christmas], the dark days increase, but from this day the darkness decreases … The light advances, while the night retreats.@ St. Augustine preached, A Brethren, let us rejoice. The heathen, too, may still be merry, for this day consecrates for us, not the visible sun, but the sun= s invisible Creator.@
In practice, Christmas was celebrated in Rome by Pope Liberius (352-66) on Dec. 25. On Dec. 25, 379, St. Gregory Nazianzus preached a Christmas sermon in Constantinople. In the Cathedral of Milan, St. Ambrose (d. 397) celebrated Christmas. Therefore, by the year 400, generally, the birth of Christ was set on Dec. 25 with the exception of Palestine, where it was celebrated on Jan. 6 until the mid-600s when it was then transferred to Dec. 25.
As an aside, the feast of the Epiphany also emerged in Gaul (the Roman province of present day France) about the year 361. This feast was moved to Jan. 6, which remains the official date.
While the concern for exact dating may preoccupy us at times, the most important point is celebrating the birth of our Lord. Remember that the title Christmas is derived from the Old English title Cristes Maesse which means "The Mass of Christ." This Christmas, may we lift up our hearts at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and receive our Lord, born again into our souls through the grace of the holy Eucharist.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Enter the “Why I Hate Christmas” Contest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 13, 2006
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, and Don Feder, president of Jews Against Anti-Christian Defamation, have launched a "Why I Hate Christmas" contest today. Donohue explains as follows:
"On December 6, a Zogby Poll disclosed that 95% of Americans are not offended by being greeted with a ‘Merry Christmas' while shopping. Don Feder and I would like to know more about the 5% who object and have thus launched our ‘Why I Hate Christmas' contest. Contestants must answer the following questions:
1. Explain relationship with father.
2. Explain relationship with mother.
3. State what religion, if any, were you raised in.
4. List all phobias, e.g., fear of God.
5. List all superstitions, e.g., belief in Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster.
6. State which historical figure is most like you: (a) Hitler, (b) Stalin, (c) Mao, (d) Pol Pot, or (e) Rosie O'Donnell.
7. State last time you hallucinated.
8. State last book you read before crashing.
9. State how many times you've laughed in the past 10 years: (a) once, (b) more than once but not more than thrice, (c) more than thrice but not more than five times, (d) can't recall.
10. List all prior mental disorders.
"Please send us a photo so we can post your picture on our website, along with your response. The winner will receive a free copy of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Finally, we will send your statement to Jackie Mason for a free psychological evaluation."
(This update courtesy of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.)
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http://www.catholicexchange.com/node/8247
December 13, 2006
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, and Don Feder, president of Jews Against Anti-Christian Defamation, have launched a "Why I Hate Christmas" contest today. Donohue explains as follows:
"On December 6, a Zogby Poll disclosed that 95% of Americans are not offended by being greeted with a ‘Merry Christmas' while shopping. Don Feder and I would like to know more about the 5% who object and have thus launched our ‘Why I Hate Christmas' contest. Contestants must answer the following questions:
1. Explain relationship with father.
2. Explain relationship with mother.
3. State what religion, if any, were you raised in.
4. List all phobias, e.g., fear of God.
5. List all superstitions, e.g., belief in Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster.
6. State which historical figure is most like you: (a) Hitler, (b) Stalin, (c) Mao, (d) Pol Pot, or (e) Rosie O'Donnell.
7. State last time you hallucinated.
8. State last book you read before crashing.
9. State how many times you've laughed in the past 10 years: (a) once, (b) more than once but not more than thrice, (c) more than thrice but not more than five times, (d) can't recall.
10. List all prior mental disorders.
"Please send us a photo so we can post your picture on our website, along with your response. The winner will receive a free copy of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Finally, we will send your statement to Jackie Mason for a free psychological evaluation."
(This update courtesy of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.)
» login or register to post comments | email this page
http://www.catholicexchange.com/node/8247
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Naughty List: GAP & OLD NAVY
December 5, 2006
Gap, Old Navy censor 'Christmas,' replace it with 'Holiday'
Gap, which owns Old Navy, Banana Republic, Forth & Towne and Piperlime, has become the latest politically correct retailer, intentionally censoring the use of "Christmas" in their in-store, online and printed advertising.
Instead of referring to the season as Christmas, Gap instead uses the word "holiday." As hard as we tried, AFA could not find a single instance in which Gap-owned stores use the term "Christmas." Not a single time!
When one Old Navy store manager was asked by AFA if the word Christmas was in his store, he answered, "We have a lot of Christmas gifts in our stores, but the word Christmas is not used here. Everything is 'holiday.'"
Gap wants you to do your Christmas shopping with them, but they don't want to mention the Reason for the season. Gap doesn't want to offend non-Christians by using Christmas. The fact that their censoring the use of Christmas might offend Christians seems to be of no importance.
Take Action
Send your message of disappointment to Gap, Inc. Click here to send your email.
Forward this e-mail to your friends and family.
Send Your Email Letter to Gap Chairman Don Fisher Now!
If you think our efforts are worthy, would you please support us with a small gift? Thank you for caring enough to get involved.
Sincerely,
Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman
American Family Association
Gap, Old Navy censor 'Christmas,' replace it with 'Holiday'
Gap, which owns Old Navy, Banana Republic, Forth & Towne and Piperlime, has become the latest politically correct retailer, intentionally censoring the use of "Christmas" in their in-store, online and printed advertising.
Instead of referring to the season as Christmas, Gap instead uses the word "holiday." As hard as we tried, AFA could not find a single instance in which Gap-owned stores use the term "Christmas." Not a single time!
When one Old Navy store manager was asked by AFA if the word Christmas was in his store, he answered, "We have a lot of Christmas gifts in our stores, but the word Christmas is not used here. Everything is 'holiday.'"
Gap wants you to do your Christmas shopping with them, but they don't want to mention the Reason for the season. Gap doesn't want to offend non-Christians by using Christmas. The fact that their censoring the use of Christmas might offend Christians seems to be of no importance.
Take Action
Send your message of disappointment to Gap, Inc. Click here to send your email.
Forward this e-mail to your friends and family.
Send Your Email Letter to Gap Chairman Don Fisher Now!
If you think our efforts are worthy, would you please support us with a small gift? Thank you for caring enough to get involved.
Sincerely,
Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman
American Family Association
Monday, December 4, 2006
Keep Christ in Christmas
One of my main mantras is to keep Christ in Christmas, as well as keep Christ in Easter, even keep Satan out of Halloween.
I see Anthony B here on Catholic Pages goes a step further with Keep Christ in Christmas, and keep Christmas out of Advent.
Anthony B
Newbie/Lurker
USA
12 Posts
Keep Christ in Christmas, and Keep Christmas out of ADVENT.
For the great majority of the population we are in the 'Christmas Season' although some of the population seems to prefer the 'Holiday Season,' since I guess some of these are spending their hard earned cash on items from the other holidays this season? Anyway, commerical Christmas has been going on since at least Halloween.
On Sunday, we began our new church year with the first Sunday of Advent. What does that mean other than some four weeks to Christmas? Are we to prepare in anyway to get ready for the celebration of Jesus' birth on the 25th? We do for his death and resurrection during Lent. I thought at one time Advent, like Lent was also a time of fasting to help us prepare for Jesus's birth?
So, we are now in the Advent season which ends with the Christmas vigil Mass. The official Christmas season begins with the vigil Mass of Christmas and runs through the Epiphany--thus the 12 days of Christmas or Christmastide.
It is a nice thought to try to keep Christmas out of the Advent season--same as to keep Easter out of Lent. I guess commercial Christmas has got a giant hand in this matter and dont see it happening. Although, some are trying hard to turn Christmas secular or mix all the other holidays this month all into one???? Dont get me started with chrismukkah.
Religiously, we can be doing better to celebrate Advent and perhaps the twelve days of Christmas could be celebrated even more joyously.
Anyway--Great Thought!!!
Keep Christ in Christmas
Have a Great Advent
and Have a Joyous Christmastide
KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS
I see Anthony B here on Catholic Pages goes a step further with Keep Christ in Christmas, and keep Christmas out of Advent.
Anthony B
Newbie/Lurker
USA
12 Posts
Keep Christ in Christmas, and Keep Christmas out of ADVENT.
For the great majority of the population we are in the 'Christmas Season' although some of the population seems to prefer the 'Holiday Season,' since I guess some of these are spending their hard earned cash on items from the other holidays this season? Anyway, commerical Christmas has been going on since at least Halloween.
On Sunday, we began our new church year with the first Sunday of Advent. What does that mean other than some four weeks to Christmas? Are we to prepare in anyway to get ready for the celebration of Jesus' birth on the 25th? We do for his death and resurrection during Lent. I thought at one time Advent, like Lent was also a time of fasting to help us prepare for Jesus's birth?
So, we are now in the Advent season which ends with the Christmas vigil Mass. The official Christmas season begins with the vigil Mass of Christmas and runs through the Epiphany--thus the 12 days of Christmas or Christmastide.
It is a nice thought to try to keep Christmas out of the Advent season--same as to keep Easter out of Lent. I guess commercial Christmas has got a giant hand in this matter and dont see it happening. Although, some are trying hard to turn Christmas secular or mix all the other holidays this month all into one???? Dont get me started with chrismukkah.
Religiously, we can be doing better to celebrate Advent and perhaps the twelve days of Christmas could be celebrated even more joyously.
Anyway--Great Thought!!!
Keep Christ in Christmas
Have a Great Advent
and Have a Joyous Christmastide
KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Scheidmas 2006
You are invited…
SCHEIDMAS 2006
Please join us for an adults-only evening to celebrate the Christmas season. We will provide food and drinks; all you need to bring is good cheer! The night will feature a LasVegas theme, to include craps, blackjack and poker. Winnings will be given to charity.
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Beginning at: 7p.m.
At our home:
Please RSVP asap:
We look forward to seeing you then!
Erik and Jill
SCHEIDMAS 2006
Please join us for an adults-only evening to celebrate the Christmas season. We will provide food and drinks; all you need to bring is good cheer! The night will feature a LasVegas theme, to include craps, blackjack and poker. Winnings will be given to charity.
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Beginning at: 7p.m.
At our home:
Please RSVP asap:
We look forward to seeing you then!
Erik and Jill
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Christmas or X-Mas
Surprised to read some of these comments on this Disney-site. Just like the results from Tuesday's election, how many referring to Christmas as xmas call themselves Catholics --were the same voting for some of the people elected or for or against Catholic amendments? I guess some of these folks dont feel they have any consquences any longer. I guess also it is part of the 'dumming-down' of at least US culture. Any Keep Christ in Christmas and remember Jesus is the reason for the Season:
X-mas as I celebrate Christ in my life everyday in my own way.
"X" is a symbol for Christ. Check out the paraments, the altars, the pulpits and lecterns in Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican/Episcopalian churches. One will see "X" a whole lot of times. It means Christ -- taken from the first letter of the word in the original Greek. Often you might see "X" & "P" superimposed on each other -- the Chi Rho -- meaning Christ the King.It isn't censoring anything -- so have a Merry Xmas, whether you are a Xian or not.
It's a shame that you don't think that X died for your sins, because I know X died for mine. When I was baptized the pastor made the sign of the "X" on my forehead as an eternal reminder of X's claim on my life. It's the same mark I place upon the foreheads of those I baptize as a Lutheran pastor.We do celebrate X's birth on Xmas Day, even if that wasn't the actual day that X was born -- and there is little or no evidence from the early Xian Church to suggest that the date was chosen in order to supplant the pagan festival of Saturnalia.
__________________Neil
I'm sort of fond of Mythmas. I celebrate a winter holiday, with a tree and Santa.
__________________Linda
HOW do assumingly intelligent adults still have a problem with XMas - IT MEANS THE SAME THING!!!!!!! I use them interchangably - there is no difference. And believe me, I'm one of the most religious people you'd meet.
I use both.. Christmas or Xmas... just like Birthday or Bday. I don't think there is any right or wrong in this.
I use it interchangably, since I am a non-Christian. Besides, Christmas isn't nearly as fun as Festivus! Now where's my Festivus Pole?:look:TOV
Xmas, but I'm not Xian, so maybe it doesn't count. (even when I was, it didn't bother me)
Who cares...I can NOT fathom how this is a big deal to people. It is an abbriviation. A short cut a what ever. Every year on the Dis we go through this and every year we get the 'people are taking the Christ out of Christmas' blah blah blah. No really they aren't...it isn't that malicous or even that thoughtout. It is laziness. It is typing 4 letters instead of 9. It REALLY IS that simple. So I'm firmly in the Xmas camp when typing on a message board. I'm a lazy typest!
Merry $mas and Happy Holidays. $ has been the reason for the season for decades now.
I'm tired of Christians trying to force themselves down everyone's throat. I've always been a very religous person. I used be a "bible quizzer" and all that stuff, but I've never felt the need to go around making other people feel silly for saying things like "Xmas" or "The Holiday Season". I mean, to me Holiday Season is the best term, being as we're not JUST celebrating Christ's birth, but a whole plethora of other cultural Holidays.
I prefer X-MESS but that's just me
X-mas as I celebrate Christ in my life everyday in my own way.
"X" is a symbol for Christ. Check out the paraments, the altars, the pulpits and lecterns in Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican/Episcopalian churches. One will see "X" a whole lot of times. It means Christ -- taken from the first letter of the word in the original Greek. Often you might see "X" & "P" superimposed on each other -- the Chi Rho -- meaning Christ the King.It isn't censoring anything -- so have a Merry Xmas, whether you are a Xian or not.
It's a shame that you don't think that X died for your sins, because I know X died for mine. When I was baptized the pastor made the sign of the "X" on my forehead as an eternal reminder of X's claim on my life. It's the same mark I place upon the foreheads of those I baptize as a Lutheran pastor.We do celebrate X's birth on Xmas Day, even if that wasn't the actual day that X was born -- and there is little or no evidence from the early Xian Church to suggest that the date was chosen in order to supplant the pagan festival of Saturnalia.
__________________Neil
I'm sort of fond of Mythmas. I celebrate a winter holiday, with a tree and Santa.
__________________Linda
HOW do assumingly intelligent adults still have a problem with XMas - IT MEANS THE SAME THING!!!!!!! I use them interchangably - there is no difference. And believe me, I'm one of the most religious people you'd meet.
I use both.. Christmas or Xmas... just like Birthday or Bday. I don't think there is any right or wrong in this.
I use it interchangably, since I am a non-Christian. Besides, Christmas isn't nearly as fun as Festivus! Now where's my Festivus Pole?:look:TOV
Xmas, but I'm not Xian, so maybe it doesn't count. (even when I was, it didn't bother me)
Who cares...I can NOT fathom how this is a big deal to people. It is an abbriviation. A short cut a what ever. Every year on the Dis we go through this and every year we get the 'people are taking the Christ out of Christmas' blah blah blah. No really they aren't...it isn't that malicous or even that thoughtout. It is laziness. It is typing 4 letters instead of 9. It REALLY IS that simple. So I'm firmly in the Xmas camp when typing on a message board. I'm a lazy typest!
Merry $mas and Happy Holidays. $ has been the reason for the season for decades now.
I'm tired of Christians trying to force themselves down everyone's throat. I've always been a very religous person. I used be a "bible quizzer" and all that stuff, but I've never felt the need to go around making other people feel silly for saying things like "Xmas" or "The Holiday Season". I mean, to me Holiday Season is the best term, being as we're not JUST celebrating Christ's birth, but a whole plethora of other cultural Holidays.
I prefer X-MESS but that's just me
Best Buy: bans Marry Christmas
November 10, 2006
Please help us get this information into the hands of as many people as possible by forwarding it to your entire email list of family and friends.
Best Buy Bans Use of Merry Christmas In Advertising
Best Buy has announced they will be using "Happy Holidays" this coming Christmas shopping season, and they will not be using "Merry Christmas."
Dawn Bryant, a spokeswoman at Best Buy Co. Inc., says their advertising will not be using the term "Merry Christmas." "We are going to continue to use the term holiday because there are several holidays throughout that time period, and we certainly need to be respectful of all of them," Bryant said. Click here for reference article.
While many other retailers have decided to return to the traditional "Merry Christmas", Best Buy will not be among them. Best Buy considers the use of "Merry Christmas" to be disrespectful.
But while Best Buy, the largest consumer electronics company in the nation, will not be mentioning Christmas, they sure do want the shopping dollars from those who remember the Reason for the season.
Take Action
Send an e-mail to Best Buy telling them of your disappointment at their decision to ban Christmas in their advertising. (You may receive an auto-reply. If so, that is ok. Don't worry about it, your e-mail has been received.)
Forward this to your friends and family so they can learn of Best Buy's decision.
Send your e-mail to Best Buy If you think our efforts are worthy, would you please support us with a small gift? Thank you for caring enough to get involved.
Sincerely,
Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and ChairmanAmerican Family Association
P.S. Please forward this e-mail message to your family and friends!
Please help us get this information into the hands of as many people as possible by forwarding it to your entire email list of family and friends.
Best Buy Bans Use of Merry Christmas In Advertising
Best Buy has announced they will be using "Happy Holidays" this coming Christmas shopping season, and they will not be using "Merry Christmas."
Dawn Bryant, a spokeswoman at Best Buy Co. Inc., says their advertising will not be using the term "Merry Christmas." "We are going to continue to use the term holiday because there are several holidays throughout that time period, and we certainly need to be respectful of all of them," Bryant said. Click here for reference article.
While many other retailers have decided to return to the traditional "Merry Christmas", Best Buy will not be among them. Best Buy considers the use of "Merry Christmas" to be disrespectful.
But while Best Buy, the largest consumer electronics company in the nation, will not be mentioning Christmas, they sure do want the shopping dollars from those who remember the Reason for the season.
Take Action
Send an e-mail to Best Buy telling them of your disappointment at their decision to ban Christmas in their advertising. (You may receive an auto-reply. If so, that is ok. Don't worry about it, your e-mail has been received.)
Forward this to your friends and family so they can learn of Best Buy's decision.
Send your e-mail to Best Buy If you think our efforts are worthy, would you please support us with a small gift? Thank you for caring enough to get involved.
Sincerely,
Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and ChairmanAmerican Family Association
P.S. Please forward this e-mail message to your family and friends!
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