17 Dec, 2007
Christmas tree controversy?
Christmas tree at MSU's Strong Hall will share space with menorah
SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State University administrators decided to put a Christmas tree back in the lobby of Strong Hall, along with other religious holiday symbols. A department head removed the 20-foot tree after a faculty member who is Jewish complained that it was insensitive to other religions.
After learning about the complaint and the removal of the tree, administrators scheduled a meeting to discuss appropriate holiday decorations at the school. That meeting is now canceled.
“We decided this is the right thing to do, and I am glad there was widespread agreement about it,” President Mike. Nietzel said in a news release. “Missouri State is an institution at which many different religions are represented, and we try to be sensitive to the many views people hold.
“After having had a chance to air this out a bit more and consider the various perspectives of our campus community, I am happy that the Christmas tree will be back up along with the many others that were already on campus."
The tree was back in the lobby and university employees were decorating it. University officials said in the news release that a menorah will be next to it "to represent the inclusiveness of the fall Holiday season.
MSU administrators apparently believe courts have ruled Christmas trees are secular symbols if they do not bear religious decorations. The department head who put the tree up said she didn't use any religious symbols on it. However, an attorney who studies legal religious issues believes the Supreme Court has ruled that a Christmas tree is inherently a symbol of a religious holiday, no matter how it's decorated.
photo & story courtesy ky3.com/news, 12/2/07
Galatians 3:10-14
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (ESV)
Today's God's Story scripture is about the best Christmas tree ever. Why did God choose it for us? Why will there always be controversy about God's "Christmas tree"?
God chose the cross of Christ to be our "Christmas tree". It is and always will be full of controversy because Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection provide the only way to Heaven. Christ came as a baby and grew up to be the perfect, sinless sacrifice for the sin of all cultures.
There's nothing artificial or decorative about God's "Christmas tree" for us. God's forgiveness for our sins is not about us trying to be good enough or about some religious tradition. Jesus willingly hung on "the tree" so that we could receive God's ultimate gift!
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Thank God for His love which sent His Son, Jesus, to be born so that He could die for us on "a tree". Take several minutes to just meditate on this truth and worship Christ...
- Whenever you put up your Christmas tree (real or artificial) decorate it with something personal that reminds you of your gratitude to Christ for giving His life on "the tree" for you.
- If you have never trusted Christ to be your Savior, receive His forgiveness by telling Him that you believe He died on "the tree" to pay the penalty for your sins and that He rose from the dead to prove He is your Savior. Ask Him to come into your life and take over. (Contact us at 3story.org so that we can send you info to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus.)
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
Today's story about the removal of a Christmas tree at the college is one of many that are in the news about the controversy related to Christ in Christmas. Use it in conversation with those in your storysphere. Ask them if they have heard about the controversy over Christmas trees in the news? Ask them what they think? Ask if you can share why you know the best Christmas tree ever will always be full on controversy?
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