Weblog: Christians in Iraq, Bethlehem Face Difficult Christmas
Plus: The Polar Express an evangelical film? religious people allowed on New Jersey juries, the battle for Christmas, new approach in the Sudan, Sikhs violently protest British play, and more articles from online sources around the world.
Compiled by Rob Moll | posted 12/01/2004 12:00AM
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Born for the part | If you yank on the beard of this portrayer of Santa Claus, you'll get a resounding yelp. But, the Rev. Richard Burgess, interim pastor of the Arnold United Methodist Church, said he really doesn't mind if children give the hair a tug because he loves playing Jolly Old St. Nick and seeing the joy on their faces. (North Platte Telegraph, Neb.)
Christmas past and presents | Finding the perfect gift has long been a national pastime. But the celebration of Christmas, and the culture of gift giving that accompanies the holiday, have changed significantly in America over the years. (William B. Waits, New York Times)
Recommit to Christmas' reversal of fortune | Reflective Christians come face to face with an unhappy choice each year come Christmastime. Will they line up on the side of the early Puritans, who railed against the excessive self-indulgence of the season? Or will they declare an uneasy truce with the festival of American consumerism? (John J. Thatamanil, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Pastors weigh in on the meaning of Christmas | On Friday night and Saturday, millions of Christians (and even some nonChristians) will observe the Christmas holiday. They'll honor loved ones with gifts, and fill cathedrals and churches to sing traditional carols commemorating the Nativity, the birth of Jesus. (North County Times, Calif.)
Christmas is supposed to be a birthday party | Our weeks of celebrating can add to the event if we keep in mind that Christ came to earth to offer mankind a new code by which to live. (Editorial, The Decatur Daily, Ala.)
Teens give the gift of Christmas | The two teens recently spent 10 days in the poorest part of the Central American country, giving Christmas presents to children who wouldn't get one otherwise. (In-Forum, ND)
Find joy in Christmas tree, whatever its name | Truth is, the lighted evergreens in our homes, businesses, sanctuaries and at Winterfest are symbols wrapped in history, nostalgia, controversy and downright contempt. (Bob Hamrick, The Wichita Eagle, Kan.)
Let's at least take ONE Sunday off. Or Tuesday, if you prefer | I definitely won't be there or in any other store on Sunday morning, the day after Christmas. Why on Earth would I? Even if I had a burning desire to exchange a DVD for another one that I just had to have, why couldn't it at least wait until the afternoon? (Brad Warthen, The State, SC)
Christmas Tree: It's increasingly being labeled a religious symbol | Pity the humble Christmas tree - a lovable shrub with heathen roots that has been dragged into bitter church-state separation squabbles stretching from France to Florida. (Salt Lake Tribune, Utah)
Nativity scenes shaped by values of culture | Baby Jesus wears blue jeans and a Western shirt. The Wise Men are Indian chiefs, one in full headdress. Instead of gold, frankincense and myrrh, gifts include water, corn and a drum. (Ithaca Journal, NY)
Birth of dissension | Christians debate circumstances surrounding Mary and the Christ child (Union-Tribune, San Diego)
Bag yourself a merry little Christmas | What would we do without a friendly holiday column praising the crass commercialism of the Christmas season? (David Harsanyi, Denver Post)
Christmas nativity story fact, not fable | While writers and editors theorize that Christ's birth is rooted more in fable than in historical fact, they fail to mention that these doubt-inspiring disclaimers simply do not measure up to the scrutiny of historical investigation. (York Daily Record, Penn.)
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