December 02, 2004
A lump of coal in Denver's stocking
Denver's holiday traditions include a Christmas Parade and the lighting of the City and County Building in downtown Denver.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper recently announced that the phrase "MERRY CHRISTMAS" on the outside of the building will be changed to "HAPPY HOLIDAYS," in yet another politically correct attack on the institution of Christmas. And while they're at it, the city is stopping a church group from participating in the annual "Parade of Lights", and singing Christmas Carols.
Parade organizers claim that Christmas Carols may be offensive to some people.
...a church group who wants to march in the Parade of Lights and sing Christmas carols will not be allowed to participate in the parade. Organizers say the parade is about the holidays, not Christmas, but leaders of the Faith Bible Chapel say that's ridiculous.Columnist Michelle Malkin has started the "Lump Of Coal" campaign, inviting readers to send a lump of coal to Denver's mayor, in the hopes of knocking some sense into his head."We can't pretend that Christ didn't exist and Christmas wasn't about his birthday, so we felt we could sing it and apparently that is not in social vogue anymore," said Pastor Gary Beasley, with the Faith Bible Chapel.
"This event is not one that has ever intended to have a religious message or a political message," said Susan Rogers, with the Downtown Denver Partnership.
She said no overtly religious symbols is allowed in the parade and that means participants can't carry "Merry Christmas" signs and can't sing traditional Christmas hymns.
If you want to participate, the address is:
Mayor John W. HickenlooperAnd before I hear from you PC pooh-poohers and naysayers, please not that Denver has held this tradition for many, many years, and the term "Merry Christmas" has ALWAYS been used.
Denver City and County Building
1437 Bannock Street, Suite 350
Denver, CO 80202
This overall practice of trying to minimize Christmas and the birth of Christ is completely off-base and out of line.
It seems that Christianity -- which is the religion of the majority of Americans -- is under attack as never before, mostly by PC-types who want to plow it under a wave of politically correct sayings and propaganda. We have a rogue court who has ruled that the phrase "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is wrong, an elementary school principal who prohibits a teacher from using the Declaration of Independance in class because it mentions God (and of course, since the teacher is a Christian, the principal is "afraid" he might use the opportunity to preach in class, right?), and now we've got people insisting that Christmas Carols are wrong because they might "offend" people.
Well, quite frankly, in that instance, I don't mind offending people. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and I continue to sing and celebrate that fact from the rooftops. You are welcome to agree or not agree with me, but don't tell me that I can't celebrate that fact!
Oh. And the Faith Bible Chapel in Denver? Since they aren't being allowed to participate in Denver's Christmas Parade, they will walk the route an hour prior to the parade, singing Christmas Carols and passing out hot chocolate. God bless them!
Posted by mhking at December 2, 2004 07:37 AMIn unrelated news - our Publix is finally open!!!
Posted by: Gib at December 2, 2004 08:49 AMPreach it brother. Amen!
Posted by: BobG at December 2, 2004 05:09 PMThe city is not doing anything regarding the parade. The parade is sponsored by a non-profit organization of downtown businesses, not the city government.
As to the matter of changing the city-sponsored sign, I have my commentary at my site should you be interested.
Posted by: andy at December 2, 2004 11:14 PMYou do know that the birth of the boy from Nazereth wasn't 'set' until well after his death, right?
Posted by: theco at December 3, 2004 01:06 AMYep.
When leaders of christian faith needed to get people interested they hijacked the pagan midwinter solstice festival. historically it is most likely that jesus son of god or not was born around september october.
what i never got was why easter, the time he is supposed to have died is not on a fixed date.
Posted by: young-white-and-liberal at December 3, 2004 05:38 AMAbout Easter - the short answer is that it is tied in to the Last Supper, which occured around the time Jews celebrated Passover. And the timing of Passover was based on where the moon was at the spring equinox. Also, it was to fulfill the prophecies. So, that's part of the reason why the date of Easter (or Pascha for us Orthodox Christians) is not fixed. Do a google search and you'll learn more than you ever wanted to know.
Posted by: Lola at December 3, 2004 09:38 AMMeanwhile in California, the govornator lights the Christmas Tree, change over from the Gray Davis's Holiday Tree.
Posted by: BigFire at December 4, 2004 11:33 AMtheco, that is true. However, Christmas is historically observed as a religious holiday. Whether or not it is an accurate date is besides the point.
Posted by: skh at December 4, 2004 12:54 PMI am Jewish, but have absolutely nothing against Christmas. I think it is a very fun holiday, and it never offends me when I see Christmas signs, or carolers, etc. Now I would be a little concerned if they all put on kaffiehs, and strapped explosives on their vests. Just more of the Liberal bullshit. Arghh
Posted by: tasha at December 5, 2004 11:41 PMChristmas in the US is about Christ! It is a celebration of His birth. If this offends you, leave the country, we don't need you here!
Posted by: Dena at December 7, 2004 09:24 AM God bless you my black brothers I am white and have been watching your struggle since way before Martin was murdered Im 52 years I remember the marches but I remember most of all watching the news the day Martin was murdered and remembered how mad my father was the first thing out of his mouth was this DAMNED GOVERNMENT
did it I think he might have been right I pray to god that we have a good clean government now and we have advanced to the point that other countries can see that we have made great strides against racism granted its still a long road but I think we as americans are more advanced in freedom NOW than any other nation and we are a great example we are a young nation with great sins in our past but we can fix them in the newer generations and vow to never repeat them GOD BLESS US ALL