So what happens when Mall Jesus and Mall Santa meet?
Members of a church in Kansas City, Ks., are protesting the secularization of Christmas by dressing like Jesus at their jobs, malls and restaurants.
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"A lot of businesses and people are saying that they have to say, 'Happy Holidays' and 'Season’s Greetings,'" church receptionist Chelsea Johnston told FOXNews.com. "They’re not allowed to say 'Merry Christmas.' It makes us upset because that is the holiday and it goes against our freedom of speech."
full article
I can imagine their hearts being in the right place, but I don't think this is what is meant by "imitation of Christ." At what point does protest become mockery? Based on the same logic, why wouldn't you dress like Jesus throughout the entire year?
Also interesting to me (and perhaps unrelated): Protestantism and Puritanism have historically been against the celebration of Christmas. When the Puritans overthrew the English monarchy, they cancelled Christmas. Whereas in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, Christmas (and Epiphany) are major pillars of the Church calendar, many evangelical Churches scramble to put together a Christmas Service. In fact, I'd say that 50% of our modern Christmas imagery comes from medieval Catholicism (the other half coming from Dickens, and slick advertising).
-Steve K.
1 comment:
Stories such as this brings a greater appreciation for the wisdom of the early Church to choose Matthew 16:13-23 as the Gospel reading on the first Sunday of the liturgical calendar. All Christians need to make an effort to understand the answer to the question, "Who do you say I am?" ... especially before making any attempt to evangelize others :S
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