A Christmas Thought
During the course of the Christmas weekend the only thing that saturated the air more than warm Christmas blessings was perhaps the cold snow in many of the mid-western states. Online friends’ statuses capitulated Yuletide greetings on Facebook; but there was one status that you just looked at and could not help but feel a sense of awe.
God, with us.
Three simple words that reverberate in the breasts of Christians around the world. Providence gracing the world which He created, born of a virgin, and knowing ultimately that He will pay through material life, for the non-material salvation of mankind. How can you not be bewildered by such a premise, or completely awestruck by the ramifications of such a tale?
Of course, there are myriad people who are quick on the draw when it comes to the arguments over the level of “Pagan influence” in our modern Christmas celebration, or the fact that technically Christ was not born on the day during which we celebrate his birth. Let us not over complicate this current discussion by throwing all of these ingredients into the Christmas stew; but rather, it should behoove us to truly appreciate how all of these small contributions have helped to create what we understand as an almost universal meaning for Christmas. The reason why we celebrate Christmas is articulated so beautifully and concisely through the solemn whispering of those three words: God, with us.
Whether or not you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Zoroastrian, Deist or even atheist, it is important and proper for us to understand the significance of this celebration for Christians. God among man, of flesh and blood. Whether or not you believe that this was the case should be set aside, and for this moment in our lives we can reflect on the importance of such a man in history, or such a God among us.
Merry Christmas.
-rj
Thou Shalt Not Worship False Idols? says Pres. Obama
I cannot blame this particular incident on President Obama personally. We do not know for certain who specifically asked the administration of Georgetown University to cover what is being described as religious iconography. According to Karen Travers at ABC news, the White House is denying that they ever requested any religious icon or the letters representing Christ?s name (IHS ? iota eta sigma) in Greek translated into Latin.
“Decisions made about the backdrop for the speech were made to have a consistent background of American flags, which is standard for many presidential events. Any suggestions to the contrary are simply false,? White House spokesman Shin Inouye told ABC News.
Georgetown University explained their side, not as an argument against the White House?s portrayal of events, but when they were asked by ABC news.
?In coordinating the logistical arrangements for the event, Georgetown honored the White House staff’s request to cover all of the Georgetown University signage and symbols behind the Gaston Hall stage in order to accommodate a backdrop of American flags, consistent with other policy speeches,?
Georgetown refused to answer when they were asked if the same request was made by previous Presidential staff members. I am going to refrain from treading down this slippery slope, because I feel our peer Tom addressed this issue rather intrepidly in his Fukuyama-esque post. Something to consider, is that liberalism in her modern form, denies and rejects the importance of religion and tradition. In doing so, where should the people turn when they are in need? The state. I believe that Webster?s Dictionary talks about a particular political regime that seeks the people?s reverence on a level equal to religion? but I won?t be the one to say it.
-rj
