| -> | | | | would attend these gatherings? During the |
| The Freedom from Religion Foundation based in | | | | Christmas season attendance may be just ever |
| Madison Wisconsin placed a placard next to the | | | | so slightly above zero. |
| manger scene in the Washington State Capital in | | | | Would the atheists be willing to parade carrying |
| early December 2008 that has a clearly | | | | their anti-Christmas placards in front of say |
| anti-Christian message. In part it says "There is | | | | Neiman Marcus or Macy's stores? How long would |
| only our natural world. Religion is but myth and | | | | they be welcomed by those businesses if they |
| superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves | | | | did? |
| minds." | | | | Most atheistic groups only show up to protest |
| Each year America is inundated with "true | | | | religious scenes like the manger or the Star of |
| meaning of Christmas" specials on the television | | | | Bethlehem which indicates that even they know |
| and in films and books. As the commercial aspect | | | | the true meaning of Christmas. They know it isn't |
| of Christmas swells each year like a behemoth on | | | | about gifts, parties or commercial activity. It is |
| growth hormones these specials mean less and | | | | and always will be about a babe in the manger |
| less year by year. | | | | who was sent to die for the sins of the world. |
| It is said that the minute you try to consciously | | | | An old seminary professor once told me that not |
| become different than everyone else that effort | | | | even the babe in the manger is the best picture |
| makes you just the same. It is this reasoning that | | | | of the true meaning of Christmas. He said that to |
| causes many Americans to see the atheistic | | | | truly understand Christmas or the incarnation you |
| movement as just another religion. The fervor | | | | had to ponder something far more wonderful |
| with which the atheists are now actively attacking | | | | than a babe in the manger which is; God in a |
| religion today certainly lends credence to the | | | | baby. |
| adage. Atheists who actually confront religious | | | | When this universally important fact is understood |
| people or displays can be thought of as | | | | something begins to happen in a man or a woman |
| evangelists for their cause. Looks religious to me! | | | | that is the exact opposite of the message placed |
| It is where the atheists don't put up signs and | | | | in the Washington Capital building. Instead of being |
| carry on protests that points to the true meaning | | | | but a "myth and superstition that hardens hearts |
| of Christmas. Although un-intended their | | | | and enslaves minds" it becomes the "truth that |
| conspicuous absence in the commercial side of | | | | softens the heart and frees the mind." |
| the advent speaks voluminously to the real | | | | The Angel Gabriel that appeared to the prophet |
| meaning of Christmas. Let's see. | | | | Daniel over seven hundred years before the birth |
| Of the millions of television ads about the "perfect | | | | of Christ came to Mary the mother of Jesus and |
| gift" no one has ever seen an ad on the box | | | | said "...behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, |
| about not buying a gift for anyone in the "natural" | | | | and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name |
| world. Would the advertisers make such a | | | | JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the |
| commercial for the atheists? The answer to that | | | | Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give |
| may be dependent on the merchants who make | | | | unto him the throne of his father David: And he |
| between one quarter and one third of their annual | | | | shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and |
| income during the Christmas season. No, would be | | | | of his kingdom there shall be no end." |
| the safest answer to this question. | | | | Although she was a holy women who loved God |
| Would the cash cow fed by Christmas television | | | | and was dedicated to serving him she could hardly |
| specials and films be willing to produce a major | | | | understand the message she was given. But |
| movie or TV special on why we should all stay | | | | when her child grew and certain men were |
| home on Christmas without family and friends and | | | | chosen to walk with him for three years and |
| enjoy the "natural" world around us? Even atheists | | | | witness the dead being raised and the blind given |
| may not want to be called "Scrooge" by the | | | | sight and much more then it became easier to |
| public or the Grinch. It would be easier to scale Mt | | | | see what Mary was told. The greatest explanation |
| Everest than to climb that mountain of public | | | | of the incarnation and the manger scene was |
| disdain. Obviously atheists don't go there. | | | | later penned by the Apostle Paul in this single |
| Are the atheist found at the uncountable office | | | | statement. |
| parties around the nation and the globe with | | | | "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the |
| pamphlets explaining the "natural" world and their | | | | world unto himself ..." (2 Corinthians 5:19) After |
| Godless views? Do they offer an alternative | | | | this saying there remains only one thing left to |
| gathering where there are no gifts, decorations or | | | | say and that is... |
| mention of Christmas? Who and about how many | | | | |