Saturday, December 24, 2011

The Birth of Our Lord

From the Martyrology:

In the year from the creation of the world, when in the beginning God created heaven and earth, five thousand one hundred and ninety-nine; from the flood two thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven; from the birth of Abraham, two thousand and fifteen; from Moses and the coming of the Israelites out of Egypt, one thousand five hundred and ten; from the anointing of King David, one thousand and thirty-two; in the sixty-fifth week, according to the prophecy of Daniel; in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad; in the year seven hundred and fifty-two from the founding of the city of Rome; in the forty-second year of the empire of Octavian Augustus, when the whole world was at peace, in the sixth age of the world, Jesus Christ, eternal God, and Son of the eternal Father, desirous to sanctify the world by His most merciful coming, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost, and nine months having elapsed since His conception, is born in Bethlehem of Juda, having become Man of the Virgin Mary.

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE FLESH.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Christmas and the Freedom from Religion Foundation

It seems strange to me that groups such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation go all out to remove all traces of something that they insist does not exist in the first place.

Andrew Seidel, the group’s constitutional consultant, states that “It’s a group endorsing religion over a public right of way” in Pitman, NJ. The sign says "Keep Christ in Christmas."

The stated reason for wanting the sign removed from over a county road is the concept of the separation of church and state. According to my reading of the Constitution, there is no defined division between the church and the state. There is only the declaration that the government "shall pass no law effecting the establishment of religion (no official state church).

Based upon the following quote, action taken against organized religion seems to be unnecessary and a waste of effort:

“At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds,” said Seidel.