Convention of Statesmen

ads

Ben Stein on Christmas

I received an email a few days ago with Ben Stein's comments on this time of year and the Christian celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I just heard the man say on Neil Cavuto's show that these are indeed his words and he stands by every one of them:

Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart:

I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important? I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is, either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife.

Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. Is this what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.

Next confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

He has a point, several salient ones as a matter of fact. Neil Cavuto went on to say that people are shopping more at stores with Christmas decorations and say Merry Christmas rather than the ones that say Happy Holidays. Isn't that interesting?

I conduct an experiment every year. I say Merry Christmas to everyone I meet all during the season. I try to take note of those who say it back to me. So far . . . since December 1st, only two and neither of those were at the businesses I frequent. This saddens me so deeply.

Jesus Christ, the Redeemer and Savior of mankind was born 2007 years ago. Whether it was in December or April, it really doesn't matter. We, as Americans, and all Christians around the world, celebrate this holy night on December 25th. May I share a little of what Christmas means to me?

The birth of our Savior shows me that I have a loving Father in Heaven who loves ALL His children so much, He sent His only Begotten Son to teach the gospel, pay for the sins of the world, break the bands of death and redeem the world.

The birth of our Savior shows me that I have a loving Savior and Redeemer in my Lord God Jesus Christ.

The birth of our Savior shows me that I matter.

The birth of our Savior established the eternal chain of family, from Adam and Eve to the last child born on this earth, whomever and whenever that may be.

The birth of our Savior gives us hope, joy and peace which permeates to the very center of my soul.

Why wouldn't I celebrate the birth of the Son of God who descended from His heavenly throne in order to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39, Pearl of Great Price)

Today on LDSBlogs.com:

We Stand Not Alone
Saviors on Mount Zion
John A. Widtsoe: Mormon Apostle and Scientist
Orson F. Whitney: Mormon Apostle, Poet and Historian
Ben Stein on Christmas Ben Stein on Christmas Reviewed by Unknown on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 Rating: 5

12 comments:

  1. Beautiful blog, Candacem well said. I think it's high time we all put Christ back into Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Okay, wait. Thank you for the compliment and the part I agree with is the "putting Christ back into Christmas." Whew!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think I like this Ben Stein person. (Maybe I'll have to google him and find out who he is.) Thanks for passing this on, Candace.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hey I said Merry Christmas to the guy at the post office yesterday when I was mailing some packages, and then to a lady at the hardware store when I was checking out, and they both wished me a Merry Christmas too. Makes you feel good.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes, I agree too, I absolutely don't like this 'X-mas' stuff either. They take the Christ out of Christmas this way! (I'm quoting Jay Osmond now) :0)

    I guess not knowing Nick and Jessica means I'm getting old too... guess what...I don't care.
    Knowing my Savior, my family, my dear friends is so much more important. They're what I live for!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's nice to read blogs from other LDS women. Yours is very lovely :)
    <3, Amy in AZ

    ReplyDelete
  7. Marja - you need to start a blog. I'll visit it as often as I can!

    And that's what I live for too, Marja. Family, friends and God.

    Merry Christmas to one and all!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have to say it, I love you Candace! Your blog makes my day! When you go a couple days wihtout posting, or I go a couple days without reading, I feel like I've missed a visit with an old friend. Merry Christmas! (Oh, and yay Ben Stein!)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Mindi - thanks for dropping by. I always love to see your comments. I'll try not to skip anymore days. Life has been so insane I'm meeting myself coming and going, but always trying to take a moment and check in with my blog friends. And yeah, Ben Stein rocks!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Candace, when I read your reasons why you celebrate the birth of our Savior, my heart lept within my chest, tears to my eyes and spirit cried out "Me too!" Thank you for expressing the feelings of my heart during this joyful season.

    I have only had one person respond in turn to my many "Merry Christmases". It is really, really sad.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi there! I'm playing "catch up" on my blog reading tonight and it's been fun reading all of your posts I missed while on my trip. Congrats to your Best Husband Contest winner. Sure wish I had entered. I never seem to have enough time to do all I want to do!

    Hugs!
    Kat

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for dropping by my blogspot and visiting with me. I love reading your thoughts on my posts. Please be sure and comment before you leave.