{"id":1377,"date":"2010-12-21T01:16:45","date_gmt":"2010-12-21T01:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2010\/12\/christmas-links-from-the-sublime-to-the-ridiculous.html"},"modified":"2010-12-21T01:16:45","modified_gmt":"2010-12-21T01:16:45","slug":"christmas-links-from-the-sublime-to-the-ridiculous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/12\/christmas-links-from-the-sublime-to-the-ridiculous.html","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Links: From the Sublime to the Ridiculous"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Tough Season for Believers<\/b><\/p>\n

Ross Douthat, columnist for the New York Times<\/i>, suggests that Christmastime is, in fact, a “Tough Season for Believers<\/a>.” Here’s how his recent Op-Ed Column in the Times<\/i> begins: <\/p>\n

Christmas is hard for everyone. But it’s particularly hard for people who actually believe in it.<\/p>\n

In a sense, of course, there’s no better time to be a Christian than the
\nfirst 25 days of December. But this is also the season when American
\nChristians can feel most embattled. Their piety is overshadowed by
\nmaterialist ticky-tack. Their great feast is compromised by
\nChristmukkwanzaa multiculturalism. And the once-a-year churchgoers
\ncrowding the pews beside them are a reminder of how many Americans
\nregard religion as just another form of midwinter entertainment, wedged
\nin between “The Nutcracker” and “Miracle on 34th Street.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sound familiar?<\/p>\n

Many Skip Christmas’ Religious Aspect<\/b><\/p>\n

\"IPC-nativity-no-5.jpg\"<\/form>\n

USA Today<\/i> write Cathy Lynn Grossman reports<\/a> on the results of two surveys that show, among other things, how many Americans who celebrate Christmas do not seem to care about its religious meaning. Here’s how the article begins:<\/p>\n

\n

Christmas 2010 is a whole lotta jingle and not so much Jesus.<\/p>\n

Two new surveys find more than nine in 10
\nAmericans celebrate the holiday — even if they’re atheists, agnostics or
\nbelievers in non-Christian faiths such as Judaism and Islam.<\/p>\n

A closer look at Christmas activities reveals
\nwhat may be the first measurement of an “alarming” gap between belief
\nand behavior, says Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, a
\nNashville-based Christian research organization.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

One piece of evidence for the dwindling interest in the religious aspects of Christmas is the fact that only 47% of people plan on attending church services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. <\/p>\n

How should Christians respond to this data? I expect that many will lament and whine. We Christians seem particularly good at complaining about the increasing secularization of our culture. But I think we should seize the opportunity before us with wisdom and enthusiasm. After all, almost half of America will be in church for special services. This is an almost unprecedented chance to share the love and truth of Christ with millions who ordinarily wouldn’t darken the door of a church.<\/p>\n

But we must remember that what we say and do at Christmastime must be matched by a consistent life of service and truthfulness. USA Today<\/i> quotes Pastor John Lindell of James River Assembly in Ozark, MO: “We believers put Christ in Christmas by how we care for others and give
\npeople chances to change their lives. It isn’t what we do in
\nDecember, it’s what we do the other 11 months of the year that
\nmatters.” Amen to that!<\/p>\n

The Digital Story of the Nativity<\/b><\/p>\n

If all of this heavy thinking about Christmas has got you down, check out this short video on YouTube. It is, indeed, the digital story of the birth of Jesus<\/a>. Watch this and you’ll be glad the Savior was born 2,000 years ago rather than today! <\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Tough Season for Believers Ross Douthat, columnist for the New York Times, suggests that Christmastime is, in fact, a “Tough Season for Believers.” Here’s how his recent Op-Ed Column in the Times begins: Christmas is hard for everyone. But it’s particularly hard for people who actually believe in it. In a sense, of course,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[195],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1377","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christmas"],"yoast_head":"\nChristmas Links: From the Sublime to the Ridiculous - Mark D. 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Roberts","description":"Mark D. Roberts: Thoughtfully Christian Reflections on Jesus, the Church, and the World","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/1ff094a57b7e41f534434b1723df3d73","name":"Mark D. Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1377","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1377"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1377\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}