The 'War on Christmas' and Nativity Scene Bans

Cal Thomas | Syndicated Columnist | Updated: Nov 21, 2012

The 'War on Christmas' and Nativity Scene Bans

It's that time of year again, and I don't mean Thanksgiving. I'm talking about the so-called "war on Christmas." It happens every year -- the war and Christmas. Some of it is staged by TV people who love controversy. Then there are groups who get involved because it raises their profile, and money.

The latest comes from Santa Monica, Calif., about as liberal and tolerant of a place as you'll find, except when it comes to Christmas. An atheist group has succeeded in getting a federal judge to rule that the city may ban nativity scenes from public spaces.

What happened to freedom of expression? The Supreme Court has said burning the American flag in public is constitutional, so why not a nativity scene? I wonder what would happen in Muslims wanted public space for their holidays?

We who are Christians don't need nativity scenes, because Christmas reigns in our hearts and spirits. But I'll add this. For believers in Santa Monica, the nativity ban offers an excellent opportunity, not to talk about a plastic Jesus, but the authentic Son of God.

I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.

Publication date: November 21, 2012



The 'War on Christmas' and Nativity Scene Bans