Season’s Greetings from a Jesus Freak

[BuyingThyme]

December 25, 2006

As a child, growing up in a suburban paradise, there were three side trips which always seemed to make the annual shopping expeditions worth while:

First up, we would head for the mall in the next town, and pay a visit to Santa. It was called the mall because it was the only one.

Second, on the way back from the mall, we’d check in at the best-decorated Christmas house in the world. I’d try to describe it for you, but it’s the kind of thing you’d have to see for yourself.

And later we’d head back to our hometown and spend a few minutes at the local full-scale Nativity scene.

They did it up right in my world, and you couldn’t miss it because the manger was on a (private) vacant lot at one of the busiest intersections around. Nothing unusual – Mary, Joseph, three kings, cool clothes, glittering treasure, and a little bundle of blankets at the would-be center of attention.

But the real attention-getters were the animals. Real live sheep, goats, pigs, and perhaps a little donkey, doing their thing behind a minimal hog wire barrier, under a shining star, in the middle of town.

As far as I know, that Nativity scene is no longer around. Neither is the best-decorated Christmas house in the world. And I’m a little too big for Santa’s lap. I miss it.

I, a liberal, pinko, atheist freak, miss the Nativity.

So, today I am calling on all good Christian warriors to redeploy. I’m asking you to withdraw from the front lines at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Target. I’m asking you to return to the original house of your Lord – the one where children are greeted by animals who sell nothing but smiles and a sense of community.

Walk away from Bill O’Reilly and Jerry Falwell, and head for the local hardware store or that little family farm on the edge of town. That’s where you will find the lumber, hog wire, livestock, and straw. It’s all right there, in your hometown.

And you just might find that some of the people pitching in – the ones donating time and resources to your Nativity – don’t exactly think the way you do. You must might find that some of the people – the ones going out of their ways to join you on the front line of your holy war – are the same liberal, pinko, atheist freaks against whom the O’Reillys and Falwells convinced you to wage war.

You just might find that you’ve been fighting to recapture something you never actually lost.

We’re right here, in your hometown.

Merry Christmas

[Richard Steele]

1. Merry Christmas, freak! recommended.

[BuyingThyme]

8. Merry Christmas, dicksteele!

:hi: :hug:

[uppityperson]

2. You mean.... build community, spend time with those you love and helping others?

you librul

[Homer Wells]

3. I like the way you think!

Hope you have a verry happy Christmas season.

:pals:

[BuyingThyme]

7. Merry Christmas to you, StephenB48!

:hi: :hug:

[Homer Wells]

15. Same thing right back atchya!

[Maestro]

4. Thanks. I think I am going to send that my freeper Uncle.

Nice story.

[Missy M]

5. Nativity scenes on private property are fine.......

I see them all the time. I love the holiday season for the Christmas decorations on houses, the warmth and charm of a Christmas tree and most of all I love getting together with my family and friends. I admit I don't like the commercial part of it but I do love giving gifts. I am also a liberal, pinko, atheist freak.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. glad to be the fifth r

I have no problem with Nativity scenes and Christmas in general-as long as it is private and not government sponsored.

[me b zola]

9. I recommend for the homepage!

:)

[brer cat]

10. Would love to see it happen, BT.

Merry Christmas, and I do hope Santa is good to you!

k&r

[BuyingThyme]

12. Merry Christmas, brer cat!

:hug: :hi:

[warrens]

11. My kind of Jesus freak

There aren't many in this world.

[GoneOffShore]

13. Come to Philadelphia

At 4th and Race at the UCC there's a Nativity scene, complete with sheep, cows, donkey and assorted other participants.

I pass it every day on my way to work and grizzled old atheist that I am, it doesn't offend me. Now, if it was at City Hall, I'd be upset (Let's keep that wall of separation high), but this one is excellent. I like to see the animals in the city. I like the whole thing.

[eridani]

14. Me to

I no longer do faith; just spirituality and ethics. You don't have to use public funds or public property to restore your connection with your ancestors, your history, your local community connections. My husband, an atheist of the most hardcore variety, never misses a chance to hear Seattle's Total Experience Gospel Choir. It matters not at all whether you believe or not--the shared connections are still there.