On the Manger Scene

You’ve heard the uncomfortable tales of unbelievers publicly shaming Christian displays of support for Christmas. It’s hard not to respond negatively—and retaliate—when we are bashed for setting up a simple harmless manger scene, or for giving a cheerful ‘Merry Christmas.’ In responding to these assaults on our faith, we must remember the teachings of the Man we are celebrating. Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to pray even for our enemies, to persist in our faith whether convenient or not. If it comes to a confrontation, you might do well by pointing this out to the offended: ‘I am celebrating the birth of a Man who promoted peace and love.’ And you might finish by asking the offended unbeliever: ‘Do you have a problem with celebrating the birth of a man known as the Prince of Peace?’ After all, they take no offense at MLK Jr. Day (as, of course, no right-thinking human would), and Martin Luther King was merely reiterating what Jesus taught long ago.

You have to wonder about the moral compass of someone who is angered by celebrations of a Man of peace. Certainly there can be nothing wrong with honoring Christ on your own property, and even public crèches should be seen as inspirational, not offensive; they remind us to rise above our petty differences and love our neighbors, and to put aside all hatred. The birth of Jesus is certainly worth celebrating! But let's try to look on our unbelieving neighbors not as our enemies but as fellow travelers, the difference being that they are walking in darkness. So let us respond with light.

The One whose birth we celebrate on Christmas day is watching, having sent us out as sheep amidst wolves. Therefore we are to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16). Be bold in your faith, but gentle in your response to the faithless.