AR – Page 98 – intramuralist ™

01/12/2016

what gets in the way?

What gets in the way?

What do we justify as big enough, deep enough, important enough to justify the ruining of relationship? What circumstances are just too crucial to me that I can’t let them go? … that they mean more to me than you do? … that they mean more to me than investing wisely, selflessly in another?

Such was prevalent again this past weekend, for example, as my beloved Bengals lost in the postseason to Pittsburgh’s Steelers. This loss was tougher than usual for me. I fully embrace the “just-a-game” mentality, but with a once promising season ended by a physical, rough rivalry, losing was harder for me to emotionally accept. It was a bit of an ugly game; it also didn’t help that my teenage sons were visibly upset by the result.

Except… when I was so focused on how I felt, I forgot something…

My longest, dearest friend is a Steelers fan. In fact, she has rooted with all her heart for the steely Black and Gold longer than I ever began to have a heart for the Bengals. Hence, while I was disappointed by the game’s results, she was simultaneously, thoroughly pleased. As much as I may be tempted to hunker down, tossing and turning in my own emotional pit, I cannot forget about the deep joy of one so dear to me.

Fascinating, isn’t it? When we’re so focused on self, we never have to wrestle with the emotions of another — how they may feel something or react to something differently… how their emotions may be completely different than yours or mine — yet equally valid.

(Note: I said “valid.”)

Four years ago, the Intramuralist re-published a great piece written by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, first published by Salon. The article was entitled “I Can’t Believe My Best Friend Is A Republican.” Friends, the article is excellent… for each of us. Allow me a brief, relevant excerpt here below. Said Brodesser-Akner:

“… Janet is a lifelong, passionate Republican. She does not pretend she is just a fiscal Republican, or just a Republican for Israel, as so many in our Jewish community are. She is a real, live, voting Republican. She likes Fox News and Rush Limbaugh. She admires Sarah Palin. She is for the defunding of NPR and Planned Parenthood. She is against ‘Obamacare,’ and she is for parental notification of abortions. Right now on my Facebook page, I have linked to a New York Times article on how women’s rights are being violated by South Dakota’s new abortion laws. Janet has just posted on hers — I’m not kidding — video footage of her and her husband at target practice…

Janet isn’t Glenn Beck or Sarah Palin. She believes what she’s telling me, and she’s studied the issues. That might be what is so difficult: She has the same education as I have, and yet she has made different decisions, decisions that are so counter to what I believe. Decisions I find abhorrent.

And yet, I think having a Republican friend is making me a better liberal. We need friends who differ from us. It’s easy to watch Republican extremism and think, ‘Wow, they’re crazy.’ But when someone is sitting face to face with us, when someone we admire and respect is telling us they believe differently, it is at this fine point that we find nuance, and we begin to understand exactly how we got to this point in history. We lose something critical when we surround ourselves with people who agree with us all the time. We lose out on the wisdom of seeing the other side.”

Sometimes I think we are too closed off, losing out on the wisdom of seeing the other side. It’s true, friends; like it or not, two reasonable people can come to two totally different conclusions, full of totally different emotions. We do that politically… socially… I was even tempted after an NFL playoff game.

When we fail to recognize that there are different perspectives and emotions — equally valid — we are sacrificing our own wisdom.

Time to get out of our emotional pits. I’ve heard they can be blinding.

Respectfully…
AR

01/10/2016

creating news

[First, a disclosure notice for all of our non-sports enthusiastists: stay with me; this is far more than a sports post.]

Yesterday my hometown Cincinnati Bengals played the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the NFL playoffs. The Bengals have made the playoffs for the past five consecutive years. Only the Bengals, Patriots, and Packers have been to the last five postseasons.

In Cincinnati, leading up to this match up and all season long, the people have been pumped regarding postseason opportunities. We couldn’t wait! We’ve played well — albeit like every NFL team, losing a few games we wish we wouldn’t have or shouldn’t have — but it has been an excellent season of accomplishment. In Cincinnati, we’ve been talking about the growth of quarterback Andy Dalton, the development of backup A.J. McCarron, the stability of head coach Marvin Lewis, the talent of the running backs and wide receiver corps, and the strength of the entire team. It has been an excellent year. That’s in Cincinnati.

Outside Cincinnati, Dalton, McCarron & Co. are mentioned in the media — but such seems not the press’s primary focus. Outside Cincinnati, the media’s mantra is that there is no satisfaction in merely making the playoffs. Coming into yesterday, the Bengals had not won a game in the previous four years; in fact, they have not won a playoff game since January of 1991. That is the focus for those who do not live here.

Let me not suggest that those who live here are unaware of the record nor completely satisfied; my point (and this is where it becomes “far more than a sports post”) is that those who live here and those who don’t are focused on different things.

As recently acknowledged by the Intramuralist, we live in a contemporary news cycle that seems to create more news than it actually, factually reports. They assume angles and promote perspective that — while they may exist — may also not be the most accurate. They then promote their desired, chosen angle.

I am not suggesting that their angle is wrong.

I am suggesting, however, that their angle may not be of greatest significance to the people nearest the situation.

The media is creating the significance.

So my question is where else is the media promoting a perspective that is comparable to “outside Cincinnati”? … where are they creating news and promoting a perspective that does not resonate best with the people who are actually involved?…

… in regard to how they report on Donald Trump?…

… on Pres. Obama’s current leadership — negatively or positively?
… on climate change advances or consensus?
… on terrorism developments?
… on gun control lobbying and legislation?
… on Netflix’s “Murder for Hire” or Sen. Ted Cruz’s citizenship?

My point is that while news media may report fact, their presentation of the facts may emphasize angles that are out of touch with the people most involved. Media is choosing what angle to emphasize; we then are prone to respond to the emphasis — as opposed to the aspects of greatest significance to those who know the subject best.

Yesterday — granted, in a tight fought battle — yet for the fifth consecutive year, the Cincinnati Bengals lost in the first round of the postseason, this year to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 18-16. With all due respect to my favorite Steeler fans… daggone-it.

Looks like the media will have something, sadly, to still talk about.

Respectfully…
AR

01/07/201601/07/2016

untainted analysis

I’m penning this post on Tuesday afternoon, having just watched Pres. Obama’s East Room announcement in regard to taking Executive Action on gun control. As soon as the President was done speaking, I turned off the television and shut down my server… no Facebook, no nothing. In other words, I write this having read nothing, seen nothing, nor heard anyone offer their two nor seventeen cents on the address. I have not been subjected to any analysis. In a contemporary news cycle that seems to create more news than it actually, factually reports, I didn’t want any blatant nor subtle subjectivity to permeate my opinion.

To be clear, it is important to wrestle with this topic well — fully acknowledging that gun control is a subject that sets many people off and often prompts blood pressure to immediately rise. I get that. It’s an understandable, emotional issue.

The most prominent measure announced seemed that Pres. Obama is issuing an Executive Order to expand the number of gun buyers subject to background checks; this will be done by increasing the number of sellers who are legally labeled as “dealers.” Dealers must be licensed and are required to conduct those checks on their customers.

Also, the President clearly articulated that he has no desire to repeal the 2nd Amendment and that this was not a first step in a “plot to confiscate guns.” His stated motivation is to reduce gun violence.

So let me offer my two — I mean seventeen — cents… (Please note that while my thoughts are untainted, they are by no means comprehensive. The two approaches should not be equated with one another; more thoughts may come at a later date.)

I appreciate the President’s stated motivation; I think it’s wise. I think we’d all like to see gun violence diminished. One of the blessings in the hollow heartbreak after each horrific incident is that as a nation — black, white, conservative, liberal, gay, straight, Jew, Christian, whatever — we are typically united in our tears. We’d like to see all violence diminished — gangs, terrorism, public protest destruction, etc.

I appreciate the President’s tears; the killing of innocent babes is unspeakably atrocious. It makes me cry, too.

I think, also, the stated idea of subjecting more buyers to background checks is wise. Americans have a right to bear arms, but a convicted felon, for example — who has already shown an intent and willingness to infringe upon the rights of another — should always be subject to a background check. In my opinion, he has sacrificed his 2nd Amendment right by his own, previous choice.

Hence, I don’t question the primary content of the President’s speech. Save for a few political jabs that it seems most of our leaders sadly can’t resist these days, I think the desire to curb the violence without caving to those who wish to repeal Americans’ rights makes sense. I do, however, have some valid questions in regard to the process.

While some previous presidents have utilized Executive Orders more frequently, the motive for utilization has varied. I struggle with the motive to bypass Congress because of an inability to pass desired policy initiatives. I have sincere concern about the expanding precedent of the Executive Branch becoming the crafter of law. What if, for example, the next president declares new law on abortion — making it significantly more or less restrictive, pending his or her political bent? What if the next president decides he/she can make more military decisions on his or her own? Even with all of its noted dysfunction, I appreciate the accountability within the combination of a Congress which makes the laws and a President who executes them. I don’t want single executives making the law on gun control or abortion. And I don’t want my opposition or support of this process to potentially hypocritically fluctuate with what the law is, who is the enactor, or how emotional I am.

I also question the legitimacy of the Executive Order being valid because “a majority of Americans” support it; what a majority of Americans desired in regard to ACA/Obamacare, for example, was considered irrelevant. It thus seems obvious to this semi-casual political deserver, that what the majority wants is only considered when the leader is in the majority. Where is the current national leader who has said, “A majority of Americans do not want this measure, so I have respectfully decided to refrain from its pursuit”? Note problem #1 with our democracy: what a party wants is prioritized over what the people want.

Yes, this subject is tough; it’s tough to navigate through respectfully; please know that is my desire. There is much I appreciated in this week’s gun control address; there is a significant some I did not; please remember, too, that my initial analysis is nowhere close to comprehensive, but it does help to edit out those who come from the standpoint of this President being the most awful or awesome man ever. I don’t feel their perspective is objective. Hence, the “untaintedness” helps with the blood pressure.

Respectfully…
AR

01/05/201601/05/2016

mad

Over the weekend, a group of men took over the headquarters of a U.S. wildlife refuge near Burns, Oregon — a small city in the Eastern part of the Beaver State. The men are angry over the imminent imprisonment of two area ranchers who were found guilty of arson three years ago. The convicted men set a series of fires in 2001 and 2006, intending to protect their lands and cover up evidence of deer poaching, but one blaze went on to also burn 139 acres of federal property.

The ranchers were convicted by a federal jury in 2012. After a plea deal, one was sentenced to three months in jail — the other, one year. This past October, however, a U.S. district judge re-sentenced each man to five years in prison — even though their sentences had already been fully served. That judge — differing from the previous, presiding judge — felt the initial sentence was too lenient.

The men now occupying government property decided to protest. They are mad.

A couple clarifying, relevant notes: (1) the family of the convicted ranchers does not support how the protestors have behaved; (2) many of the protestors have come from other towns and other states; and (3) the convicted ranchers still turned themselves in to police custody.

I find myself pondering, no less, a Slate Magazine headline: “What in Tarnation Is Going on With All These Angry Ranchers?”

Let’s be clear…

They have a right to protest.
They do not have a right to federal land.

That is true of all the protestors we’ve seen in recent months…

People have a right to protest.
People have a right to voice their opinions.
People even have a right to rant.

They do not, however, have a right to destroy.
They do not have a right to threaten.
And they do not have a right to take someone else’s property for their own.

That’s the case regardless of the passion or protest — regardless of whom the protestors actually are… their agenda or any demographic category… be it in Burns, Baltimore, or some place of supposed higher learning, etc.

The protestors are mad. But their madness does not change what they have a right to do.

It does, however, sometimes change how we react. That’s the hard part.

We look at all these protestors — all these mad people — and while we may agree or not with the purpose for the protest, we sometimes allow our empathy for the person or cause to alter our acceptance of what’s right and wrong; we extend abundant grace to one but none to the other. We then too often find ourselves caught in the queasy quandary of believing it’s ok for some people to illegally occupy or destroy — but for others, it is not. That may say more about us than it does about them.

Yes, we can be a strange people… mad, if you will.

Respectfully…
AR

01/03/201601/03/2016

here’s to 2016

IMG_5493 (3) After a year of atypical, ardent ups and downs, the Intramuralist and company set out to add some new experiences to our annual, end of year celebrations. Hence, this midwestern family of five found ourselves in the middle of Times Square as the ball and confetti dropped, ringing in the festive start to 2016.

It was actually fascinating; we had never done that before — “a bucket lister,” said one enthusiastic son. And so with an approximate 999,995 others, we did our best packed sardines imitation — albeit mostly without the odor and oil.

On one hand, the precautions were eye-opening in a “huge-A-Ha,” unfortunate way. We noted the thousands of police officers positioned to protect us; they were on every corner… in the streets… on the subway. It is a sad reality that such joy-filled public celebrations must now be guarded against those who set out to only destroy; the evil and terror has pierced our innocence. No doubt none in our family will soon forget the few officers thus actually armed with AK-47s.

Yet herded as we were into this unprecedented environment on NYC’s jam-packed 7th Avenue, there was something more eye-opening and encouraging than all the precautions, all the protection, and all who attempted to zap the joy of New Year’s Eve…

Picture this… picture the most crowded place you can imagine — a stadium, a massive conference room… people everywhere… with little room to do anything more than raise your arms with smart phone in hand in order to capture the next snapshot, chat, whatever.

But unlike such typical scenarios, where a crowd of massive size would be aware of varied interests and individual wants, needs, opinions, emotions, etc., we were all focused on the same thing; we were all excited about the same thing; we were all looking in the same direction — eyes focused — waiting and wanting for the big ball to drop.

Without a doubt, there is a inherently beautiful meaning accompanying the dropping of that New Year’s ball…

Instead of focusing on our differences and maximizing what we don’t have in common — noting that in an actual, estimated crowd of one million people, countless significant differences exist — we shared something greater. Indeed, it was far greater… so great, in fact, our individual differences did not matter…

… different genders, ethnicities, ages, faiths, etc. They did not matter. They were also not watered-down. Our differences did not have to be ignored or removed in order for the celebration to ensue. We were each excited about a celebration greater than self.

I was especially struck by my youngest son, that incredible kid who has never been disabled by his special needs. Note that previous to our trip, we had (sadly) cautioned him in regard to taming some of his typically more overt, overly friendly interactions in Manhattan. But sensing there was something different about this crowd — and people actually were interacting and were friendly — Josh said “hello” to an elderly New Yorker. Encouraged by a brief acknowledgement, Josh continued, “Hey,” he paused. “Want to be friends?” The man was first taken by surprise; he then lit up with a huge grin, articulating a hearty, warm Italian response, and said, “You just made my whole night!” 

Our nights were each made — because our individual differences did not matter. We could simply, poignantly, “be friends.”

Oh, how I crave such… that we learn to accept and respect our differences — with no demanding-ness, no in-your-face-ness, no watering down nor need to force everyone else to “think like you/me”… no narcissism… no arrogance… no “mad-as-hell” rants or unattractive self-promotion…

It’s amazing what that big ball can do.

Here’s to 2016, friends… as we wrestle with our differences via respectful dialogue — always encouraging one another to grow.

Respectfully…
AR

12/31/201512/31/2015

washing away 2015

Greetings, friends. ‘Tis time to say goodbye to another year. And while some years feel better to say bye to, it is my prayer that each is a year in which we can say we have learned and we have grown.

Some of the learnings of the past year have been challenging. Some of our experiences have been ones we’d like to forget; and some of the ways people have chosen to discuss what’s happening around us have been awful and disrespectful — albeit not here. Thank you for being committed to dialoguing with respect. Solution cannot come otherwise.

Since this blog began over seven years ago, we made a commitment to delving into all issues and ideas respectfully — knowing full well we would not agree on all things nor on all angles. Our growth comes not in convincing all others to finally “think like me,” so-to-speak; our growth comes through active listening, humility, and the willingness to be sharpened by persons other than self.

And so as another year washes away, my desire is to encourage you and thank you for being committed to that growth. It is my true privilege to pen these posts, interacting with you.

Also — in a bit of a foreshadowing teaser — I’m eager to share with you how we spent New Year’s Eve in our family. Alas, such shall wait for another day. 🙂

Blessings, friends. Allow me to take this time to wish you and yours a new year of deep peace and great joy… a year that isn’t quickly wanted to be wished away… and a year in which we each continue to grow.

Respectfully… always…

12/28/2015

hope

[Borrowed and slightly edited from a blog by Justin Taylor, Crossway Sr. VP & publisher, in a historical account giving each of us hope amidst our pain — putting life into perspective… still relevant when Christmas is done for the year…]

In March of 1863, 18-year-old Charles Appleton Longfellow walked out of his family’s home on Brattle Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and—unbeknownst to his family—boarded a train bound for Washington, DC., over 400 miles away, in order to join President Lincoln’s Union army to fight in the Civil War. Charles was the oldest of six children born to Fannie Elizabeth Appleton and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the celebrated literary critic and poet. Charles had five younger siblings: a brother (aged 17) and three sisters (ages 13, 10, 8—another one had died as an infant).

Less than two years earlier, Charles’s mother Fannie had died from a tragic accident when her dress caught on fire. Her husband, awoken from a nap, tried to extinguish the flames as best he could, first with a rug and then his own body, but she had already suffered severe burns. She died the next morning, and Henry Longfellow’s facial burns were severe enough that he was unable even to attend his own wife’s funeral. He would grow a beard to hide his burned face and at times feared that he would be sent to an asylum on account of his grief.

When Charley (as he was called) arrived in Washington D.C. he sought to enlist as a private with the 1st Massachusetts Artillery. Captain W. H. McCartney, commander of Battery A, wrote to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow for written permission for Charley to become a solider. HWL (as his son referred to him) granted the permission.

Longfellow later wrote to his friends [Sen.] Charles Sumner, [Gov.] John Andrew, and Edward Dalton (medical inspector of the Sixth Army Corps) to lobby for his son to become an officer. But Charley had already impressed his fellow soldiers and superiors with his skills, and on March 27, 1863, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, assigned to Company “G.”

After participating on the fringe of the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia (April 30-May 6, 1863), Charley fell ill with typhoid fever and was sent home to recover. He rejoined his unit on August 15, 1863, having missed the Battle of Gettysburg.

While dining at home on December 1, 1863, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow received a telegram that his son had been severely wounded four days earlier. On November 27, 1863, while involved in a skirmish during a battle of of the Mine Run Campaign, Charley was shot through the left shoulder, with the bullet exiting under his right shoulder blade. It had traveled across his back and skimmed his spine. Charley avoided being paralyzed by less than an inch.

He was carried into New Hope Church (Orange County, Virginia) and then transported to the Rapidan River. Charley’s father and younger brother, Ernest, immediately set out for Washington, D.C., arriving on December 3. Charley arrived by train on December 5. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was alarmed when informed by the army surgeon that his son’s wound “was very serious” and that “paralysis might ensue.” Three surgeons gave a more favorable report that evening, suggesting a recovery that would require him to be “long in healing,” at least six months.

On Christmas day, 1863, Longfellow—a 57-year-old widowed father of six children, the oldest of which had been nearly paralyzed as his country fought a war against itself — wrote a poem seeking to capture the dynamic and dissonance in his own heart and the world he observes around him. He hears the Christmas bells and the singing of “peace on earth” (Luke 2:14) but observes the world of injustice and violence that seemed to mock the truth of this statement. The theme of listening recurs throughout the poem, leading to a settledness of confident hope even in the midst of bleak despair…

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,  Their old familiar carols play,  And wild and sweet the words repeat , Of peace on earth, good will to men.  

I thought how, as the day had come,  The belfries of all Christendom , Had rolled along the unbroken song , Of peace on earth, good will to men.  

And in despair I bowed my head:  “There is no peace on earth,” I said,  “For hate is strong and mocks the song,  Of peace on earth, good will to men.

“  Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:  “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;  The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men.

“  Till, ringing singing, on its way,  The world revolved from night to day,  A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,  Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Respectfully… with hope… always…
AR

12/26/201512/26/2015

christmas quotes

Letting the season last… reflecting on the meaning and the fun…

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” ― Bob Hope

“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” — Janice Maeditere

“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” — Andy Rooney

“Christmas is not just a time for festivity and merry making. It is more than that. It is a time for the contemplation of eternal things. The Christmas spirit is a spirit of giving and forgiving.” — J. C. Penney

“Christmas can be celebrated in the school room with pine trees, tinsel and reindeers, but there must be no mention of the man whose birthday is being celebrated. One wonders how a teacher would answer if a student asked why it was called Christmas.” ― Ronald Reagan

“Oh look, yet another Christmas TV special! How touching to have the meaning of Christmas brought to us by cola, fast food, and beer… Who’d have ever guessed that product consumption, popular entertainment, and spirituality would mix so harmoniously?” ― Bill Watterson

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” — Dale Evans

“Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn’t come from a store.” — Dr. Seuss

“I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it, saying, ‘Toys not included.’ ” — Bernard Manning

“He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.” — Charlotte Carpenter

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” — Charles Dickens

“The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.” — George Carlin

“Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.” ― Steve Maraboli

“Off to one side sits a group of shepherds. They sit silently on the floor, perhaps perplexed, perhaps in awe, no doubt in amazement. Their night watch had been interrupted by an explosion of light from heaven and a symphony of angels. God goes to those who have time to hear him–and so on this cloudless night he went to simple shepherds.” — Max Lucado

“Look for Christ and you will find Him. And with Him, everything else.” – C.S. Lewis

And a portion of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s message, to be repeated often and soon:

“And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
‘For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead, nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
the Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!’ “

May the truths of the season stay with us all year long.

Respectfully…
AR

12/24/2015

that’s what it’s all about

It’s Christmas.

With full respect of other holidays celebrated this time of year, let me not water down the meaning of Christmas. It’s ok to celebrate each of our favorite, most meaningful holidays.

Christmas is the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

So with Christmas now upon us, I ask one question:

Who do you say Jesus is?

Don’t mistake me for being callous nor quaint. I mean no disrespect. But the bottom line of Christmas lies in the answer to that question.

Who you say he is dictates how you will respond. It alters what you think… how you behave… how you will teach the children around you.

I kind of like the response of Linus, a child himself… who drops his infamous security blanket to share about the one in whom he finds far greater security…

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not.’

For behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

That’s what it’s all about.

So I ask again… deeply… privately… profoundly… who do you say he is?

Merry Christmas, friends. Blessings to each of you. In a year of ups and downs, good things and bad, wrestling with both the trivial and the tough, I wish God’s best for each of you.

With great joy… but even greater peace…

Respectfully… always…
AR

12/22/201512/22/2015

sins of omission?

At this time of year, some strongly suggest that there exists some so-called “war on Christmas.” Honestly, the Intramuralist has never been too keen on that idea; I’m not keen on utilizing the “war on,” politically-expedient terminology in any arena — save that which is actual war.

I do believe, however, there exists a vocal minority which wants no acknowledgement of the holiday…

… like at the University of Tennessee, where students and staff were told this year they were not allowed to throw any Christmas parties… “Holiday parties and celebrations should celebrate and build upon workplace relationships and team morale with no emphasis on religion or culture. Ensure your holiday party is not a Christmas party in disguise.” The university’s chancellor later apologized, recognizing a possible infringement of free speech.

… like at W.R. Castle Elementary in Johnson County, Kentucky last week, where kids were performing “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” but the school superintendent cut Linus’ speech because it contained a biblical passage. Linus speaks of the babe lying in the manger, then saying, “And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men.’ That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

I don’t see either above as a “war.” I see it as… wait. Allow me one more current observation, first quoting that beautiful, beloved song…

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,
Let this be the moment now.
With ev’ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.

A song so meaningful to many, played so eloquently often, this time of year. Microsoft even featured the hymn in one of their first TV commercials this month, billing it as a “special message” from their employees. They sang the entire song, entitling it: “Microsoft spreads the spirit of the season on 5th Ave.” The only problem is that they omitted the “with God as our Father” section of the song… uh, God would be the spirit of the season. (“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”)

That’s it. I understand that not everyone is convinced of the first coming of Jesus Christ. I get that; it’s not my job to play the convictor in the heart of another.

What concerns me, however, is our society becoming increasingly uncomfortable in acknowledging God and his rightful position in our society and in our lives. Christmas, Hanukah, and multiple other holidays are key moments when we acknowledge who God is and how as mankind we relate to him. Some instead want a removal of all acknowledgement. That, I believe, is dangerous. When we can no longer acknowledge God’s existence — when we spend more effort and energy on God’s omission than on our humble acknowledgement — we have elevated ourselves to something we are not. We are also missing the meaning and spirit of the season.

December 25th is officially recognized as “Christmas” by the United States government; it’s one of only 10 American, federal holidays. Christmas is the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

I respect both those who celebrate Christmas and those who do not — those who wish to honor Jesus and those who do not. But sad is the day when the existence of God is omitted from the celebration.

Respectfully…
AR