Why Do We Celebrate Christmas?

CENTRAL — Christianity is under attack in our society.  So it’s only natural that the biggest Christian holiday — Christmas — would also be under attack.

I think I’m correct in saying that nowhere in the Bible are Christians directed to celebrate Jesus’ birth, nor is it even suggested.

So why do we do it?  And why are we so defensive when people attack Christmas?

I think we love Christmas so much because it epitomizes the Christian faith.

It is man’s reaction to the greatest story ever told.

The natural reaction to that story is great happiness.  The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is a happy story, because it gives man hope for the future.  It also gives him forgiveness for his sins.  And it provides a clear and objective path to life everlasting.

With such a faith, why wouldn’t we be happy and want to celebrate in a very big way?

Why wouldn’t we want to see our friends and relatives, embrace them, spend time with them, and give gifts.

Why would we sit by glumly when Jesus’ birth comes around?  This is a time to celebrate healing, forgiveness, and a wonderful future — not only for ourselves but for our loved ones and anyone who believes and desires to give himself to our Lord and Savior.

If the opponents of Christmas want to eliminate the words “Merry Christmas,” they will never succeed.

Even in the deepest, darkest prison or the worst totalitarian state, there will always be someone who whispers to another, “Merry Christmas!”  And the one hearing these words will be filled with happiness for all those words convey.

You can no more ban “Merry Christmas” from the face of the earth than you can ban love or forgiveness or happiness!

It will not go away.

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NEW SHERIFF’S SUBSTATION. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux should be commended for the new Pride-Chaneyville substation.  Thanks to the donation of the building by Exxon and some smart decisions by the Sheriff, the substation has been built for a fraction of normal cost.  In addition, the Sheriff did it all with funds he had available and without going to the Metro Council asking for an appropriation.

This state-of-the-art facility is not only good for crime prevention and control, it is also a great deal for the taxpayers of our parish.

For Central residents, it is important because the new substation will relieve some of the burden on the Central substation.  It effectively cuts the geographic area served by the Central substation in half and allows the deputies based here to focus primarily on Central.

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PUBLICATION SCHEDULE.  As announced last week, the Central City News will continue its 2011 publication schedule into 2012.  This means we will be published on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from January to July, and we will resume weekly publication on the 2nd Thursday of August.  This schedule is done because the flow of news and advertising is much less from January to July and much greater from August to December.

HOW TO KEEP UP WHEN WE DON’T PUBLISH. Even when the Central City News does not publish, we continue to post news on Facebook.com.  Just go to Facebook and search for Central City News.  You’ll get a lot of information.  You can also keep up with national news with our Facebook page called Liberty Today.  We also have a new page, Capital Republican, which will help you keep up with Republican and conservative activities in the Baton Rouge area.  That will be very important in this election year.

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DEADLINE FOR LOOP COMMENTS. The Capital Area Expressway Authority, Mayor-President Kip Holden’s brainchild for building the so-called Baton Rouge Loop, will receive comments on the Loop until Jan. 9, 2012.  Then it will submit those comments to the Federal Highway Administration.  If the FHWA approves the Loop, we’ll have a very difficult time stopping it.

If you would like to comment, please send your comment to the Loop commission with a copy to the Central City News by Jan. 5, in order to give us time to process the comments, bind them, and get them to the Loop commission, the FHWA, and the Central City Council before the deadline.  A form with addresses is on Page 7.

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CENTRAL CITY COUNCIL VOTE. The Central City Council will vote on a resolution opposing the Baton Rouge Loop by Councilman Wayne Messina at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at Kristenwood.  If you feel strongly on this issue, you should attend and speak.  The Council failed to get three votes for the resolution last month.  Supporters will be out in force and may prevail if opponents don’t show up and speak.  If you would like to speak, fill out a card at the beginning of the meeting and turn it in up front.  Heartfelt personal comments by members of the public are usually appreciated by the City Council.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

By Woody Jenkins, Editor, Central City News