Merry Christmas

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.  For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.  No one who believes in him will be condemned; but whoever refused to believe is condemned already because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son.”     John 3:16-18, The Jerusalem Bible

“The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round them.  They were terrified, but the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid.  Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people.  Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  And here is a sign for you:  you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’  And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favor.’”    Luke 2:9-14, The Jerusalem Bible

Christians are being persecuted in deadly ways worldwide.  Even in the United States of America which is established on a foundation of faith in God, fundamental secularists are attacking from coast to coast – in Tulsa, Oklahoma most recently by misuse of the Christmas name in parade promotions.

That controversy can be revisited by clicking here, but the issue arose from a small committee that first substituted the name “Holiday” for “Christmas” at the last moment in 2009, then solicited participation and funding under the name “Christmas Parade” then filed for a parade permit in 2010 again with the name “Holiday.”  Thus ends a seventy-year tradition of a Christmas Parade in downtown Tulsa.

Citizens protested in 2009 and again in 2010, but the daily newspaper true to form featured the dispute as U. S. Senator Jim Inhofe refusing to participate because of the name change.  That was an egregious omission of multiple disputing parties and mischaracterization for purely political purpose.

Next year Tulsa is expected to hold several December parades with downtown to lose exclusivity because a small committee of unelected worshipers of political correctness thought it best.  Advance plans on next year’s parades will be featured in coming stories here on Tulsa Today.

My final thought on this issue, “May God bless each as He sees fit.”