War on Christmas?

[CPT Tripss]

To all who bemoan this "war." Perhaps Pogo was right? "We have met the enemy and he is us." Does this piece from NPR strike home with any of my fellow DISers? fess up now, be honest.

All Things Considered, December 17, 2008 · It's the middle of the day, and I'm opening my Christmas cards. And what do I see when I tear open the envelope? Not Baby Jesus in his manger. Not the Virgin Mary. Not even the Wise Men. No, chances are the card will be a photo of a family on some beach in the Caribbean. Or a picture of somebody's house. Or someone's dog wearing reindeer horns.

These are the new favorite Christmas cards, for even the most pious Christians: the family cards.

Family cards display — on the front — a photo of a happy family, typically wearing red-and-green scarves or red-and-green sweaters. Sometimes the family dog is included, wearing a scarf covered with slobber. Just as often, family cards show the clan on their summer vacation, posing jauntily in bathing suits in the Caribbean. These cards don't say "Merry Christmas" as much as "Look where you didn't go!"

Look, I love family photos during the holidays. Plus, I actually read those annual holiday letters, all of which start with "What a busy year it's been!" Seeing photos of my friends and their families and even enjoying a few sunny beach scenes when it's cold and dark outside is a highlight of December.

But I enjoy the photos more when they're inside the card, not the card itself. Because more and more, even devout Christians have been replacing Jesus, Mary and Joseph with themselves. Doesn't it strike you as weird to set aside the Holy Family in favor of your family? Does a photo of Cabo San Lucas trump the story told by the original San Lucas? Is Christmas really about you?

Still unconvinced? Try a thought experiment. For your next birthday, how would you feel about getting a birthday card with my photo on it? "Happy Birthday! It's a photo of me!" My modest campaign against family cards has less chance of success than another Ralph Nader presidential bid. People will accuse me of being anti-family. But I'm not: I'm more pro-Holy Family. Plus, I'm battling Snapfish, Shutterfly, Kodak and a lot of online card stores that have been promoting this idea with more resources than a poor Jesuit can muster.

So I'll leave you with a simple plea. Place those great photos inside the card. Or how about this: When choosing your Christmas cards this year, think more Jesus and less you. Or, more Virgin Mary, and less Virgin Islands.

The Rev. James Martin is a Jesuit priest and author of My Life with the Saints.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97854252&sc=emaf

 

[Uncle Remus]

To all who bemoan this "war." Perhaps Pogo was right? "We have met the enemy and he is us." Does this piece from NPR strike home with any of my fellow DISers? fess up now, be honest.

All Things Considered, December 17, 2008 · It's the middle of the day, and I'm opening my Christmas cards. And what do I see when I tear open the envelope? Not Baby Jesus in his manger. Not the Virgin Mary. Not even the Wise Men. No, chances are the card will be a photo of a family on some beach in the Caribbean. Or a picture of somebody's house. Or someone's dog wearing reindeer horns.

These are the new favorite Christmas cards, for even the most pious Christians: the family cards.

Family cards display — on the front — a photo of a happy family, typically wearing red-and-green scarves or red-and-green sweaters. Sometimes the family dog is included, wearing a scarf covered with slobber. Just as often, family cards show the clan on their summer vacation, posing jauntily in bathing suits in the Caribbean. These cards don't say "Merry Christmas" as much as "Look where you didn't go!"

Look, I love family photos during the holidays. Plus, I actually read those annual holiday letters, all of which start with "What a busy year it's been!" Seeing photos of my friends and their families and even enjoying a few sunny beach scenes when it's cold and dark outside is a highlight of December.

But I enjoy the photos more when they're inside the card, not the card itself. Because more and more, even devout Christians have been replacing Jesus, Mary and Joseph with themselves. Doesn't it strike you as weird to set aside the Holy Family in favor of your family? Does a photo of Cabo San Lucas trump the story told by the original San Lucas? Is Christmas really about you?

Still unconvinced? Try a thought experiment. For your next birthday, how would you feel about getting a birthday card with my photo on it? "Happy Birthday! It's a photo of me!" My modest campaign against family cards has less chance of success than another Ralph Nader presidential bid. People will accuse me of being anti-family. But I'm not: I'm more pro-Holy Family. Plus, I'm battling Snapfish, Shutterfly, Kodak and a lot of online card stores that have been promoting this idea with more resources than a poor Jesuit can muster.

So I'll leave you with a simple plea. Place those great photos inside the card. Or how about this: When choosing your Christmas cards this year, think more Jesus and less you. Or, more Virgin Mary, and less Virgin Islands.

The Rev. James Martin is a Jesuit priest and author of My Life with the Saints.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97854252&sc=emaf

Christmas Cards

 

[profdsny]

Okay, I understand the article. I sort of even understand the poll, but clearly don't understand the title of the thread.
As far as the article, well, it makes sense, but it is not something new. This has been going on since likely the first Christmas Card. Probably not the picture thing, but, Christmas is just more now, for good or bad, then Jesus's birthday. That doesn't mean that there is a 'war' on Christmas. It's just that the way that it is celebrated, or recognized, has changed.
In a sense the article wants us to not only do away with the family photo on the cover, but by extension, almost everything else secular. That won't happen.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Sure there is a "war." It's been fought here in previous posts. You know, all the religious stuff in the county buildings, being unable to tell customers "Merry Christmas," all that anti-christian stuff.

So I guess the point is . . . do the defenders of CHRISTmas send the "offending" cards? I know several who do . . .

 

[Cool-Beans]

I said this in another thread and I'll say it again.

I have the anti-Christians trying to put a damper on my Christmas fun. And I have the priests trying to put a damper on my Christmas fun.

It's like a Christmas Fun Run-down. Well, they can send in a designated runner because I quit.

I'm having my Christmas fun and anyone who doesn't like can go to hell...and how do you like that for Merry Christmas.

(Voted not me. I include a pic for some folks, but it is just us sitting there. I send out religious cards some years and cute cards others, but never a card OF me and the fam.)

 

[ChrizJen]

Okay, I understand the article. I sort of even understand the poll, but clearly don't understand the title of the thread.
As far as the article, well, it makes sense, but it is not something new. This has been going on since likely the first Christmas Card. Probably not the picture thing, but, Christmas is just more now, for good or bad, then Jesus's birthday. That doesn't mean that there is a 'war' on Christmas. It's just that the way that it is celebrated, or recognized, has changed.
In a sense the article wants us to not only do away with the family photo on the cover, but by extension, almost everything else secular. That won't happen.

I think that the article is pointing out the contradiction of some Christians. In one breath, they say that Jesus is the reason for the season, so everyone should say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays". So the author is saying that if Jesus is the reason for the season, then perhaps your Christmas cards should be less about where you went on vacation this year, or how nice your family looks in front of the fireplace, and more about Jesus.

 

[profdsny]

I think that the article is pointing out the contradiction of some Christians. In one breath, they say that Jesus is the reason for the season, so everyone should say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays". So the author is saying that if Jesus is the reason for the season, then perhaps your Christmas cards should be less about where you went on vacation this year, or how nice your family looks in front of the fireplace, and more about Jesus.

Yes, but, I think many folks who consider themselves good Christians give very little thought to the idea that "Jesus is the reason for the season." Still, that doesn't make it a 'war' on Christmas, as some would like to see.
For whatever reason others have different priorities at Christmas time, but still gladly go around saying Merry Christmas, and going to their church for their annual visit. I think it's two very different things; those who are against Christmas, and as such may be considered by others to be "at war" with it, and those who are all for it, but don't generally recognize what it's basis was.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Wait a minute, is the author of the article and/or the OP judging how people express their faith based on a Christmas card?? Who is being pious??

 

[Mom2Nick]

So I'll leave you with a simple plea. Place those great photos inside the card. Or how about this: When choosing your Christmas cards this year, think more Jesus and less you. Or, more Virgin Mary, and less Virgin Islands.

The Rev. James Martin is a Jesuit priest and author of My Life with the Saints.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97854252&sc=emaf

No thanks. My cards will continue to have my children on them and Christmas Trees and wreathes.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

I said this in another thread and I'll say it again.

I have the anti-Christians trying to put a damper on my Christmas fun. And I have the priests trying to put a damper on my Christmas fun.

It's like a Christmas Fun Run-down. Well, they can send in a designated runner because I quit.

I'm having my Christmas fun and anyone who doesn't like can go to hell...and how do you like that for Merry Christmas.

(Voted not me. I include a pic for some folks, but it is just us sitting there. I send out religious cards some years and cute cards others, but never a card OF me and the fam.)

I agree. I don't send out photo cards, but some years I send religious cards, other years cute cards. I buy two types, Christmas cards and holiday cards, and send the appropriate ones out to the people I know.

Personally, I like the pictures when the kids are small. When the kids get older, or the complete family pictures, just seem odd to me. Is it bragging? I don't know, but I do HATE the Christmas/Holday letters that detail the entire lives for the year. I don't even read them. I know that's bad, but I view those letters as narcissistic.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

I think that the article is pointing out the contradiction of some Christians. In one breath, they say that Jesus is the reason for the season, so everyone should say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays". So the author is saying that if Jesus is the reason for the season, then perhaps your Christmas cards should be less about where you went on vacation this year, or how nice your family looks in front of the fireplace, and more about Jesus.

You make a great point. There is a contradiction in the message, IF a person says that "Jesus" is the reason for the season, and then they send out a family photo as a christmas card.

 

[Uncle Remus]

No thanks. My cards will continue to have my children on them and Christmas Trees and wreathes.

I like those kind the best!

Course, I ain't a Christian.

 

[Pigeon]

It's just sour grapes from the priest about not having a family of his own.

 

[Free4Life11]

I think those photo cards are tacky. They just look cheap to me! No creativity whatsoever.

 

[BillSears]

That's not me but it is my brother. A deacon in his church, attends services every week, etc.... but this year his Christmas card was a family photo one.

I just don't bother sending out Christmas Cards.

 

[Ppufi]

Why does it matter?

My family has done both religious cards and the cards with us getting our Christmas tree. I don't think that we are 'bragging' about getting a tree.

 

[Denine]

I only buy cards that say Christmas somewhere in them, not Happy Holidays. I send a picture of my daughter and most of my cards are old fashioned pictures.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I think those photo cards are tacky. They just look cheap to me! No creativity whatsoever.

Don't listen to that remark, Brother.

 

[Goofyluver]

Don't listen to that remark, Brother.

Awwwwwww.

 

[LoraJ]

I think those photo cards are tacky. They just look cheap to me! No creativity whatsoever.

Well the non-photo cards go in the garbage on December 26th, but I keep the photo cards forever.