This article originally appeared on revrobschenck.com

It’s always a spectacle when the annual Christmas tree arrives at the US Capitol, but this year it also means something beyond an ornamental tradition. Over the last several years, there has been a subtle, underground effort to eradicate this and other Christian holiday observances in Washington. The pressure to secularize America’s capital city comes from within and without. Anti-religious constituent groups regularly badger their members of Congress. This year add to that the American Humanist Association, that this week launched the “National Godless Holiday” advertising campaign in Washington.

A previous US Capitol Christmas Tree shines brightly in Washington DC

You may recall that last year I had a very interesting face-to-face with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at the actual Christmas Tree dedication ceremony. I thanked her then for keeping “CHRIST-mas at the Capitol.”

This year there was yet another little skirmish over the tree. The word went out from the Architecht of the Capitol to the sponsoring state, Arizona, that ornaments and other decorations were not to be religious in nature. There was a hue and cry, but I’m not sure of the outcome. I’ll try to find out today.

Against the background of all that’s going on, should the tree be in good order, I’ll be sure to thank the Speaker again this year. We’re often too quick to criticize and too slow to commend.

It’s ironic that for a long time we Christians were ourselves conflicted over the appropriateness of Christmas trees, but I think we’ve worked that through. The overwhelming number of Christians generally accept trees as a simple symbol of the season marking the birth of the Savior. Now that symbol has the added dimension of marking the season when the tectonic forces of secularist atheism and biblical theism collide.

Not to worry, though, all this has happened throughout the last two thousand years–and in far more dramatic and dangerous ways than stripping trees of bulbs and putting up No God posters. No matter what is doen with these material trappings, it’s the people of God that remain as the best and most enduring sign of God’s reality, and we’re not going anywhere! More importantly, we are a sign of His enduring love for all humanity–and we must remember to behave accordingly.

Let the “CHRIST-mas” season begin!

Rob+

Faith & Action recently staged the first ever live Christmas Nativity Scene infront of the Supreme Court and across the street from the US Capitol to encourage similar displays around the country. “If we don’t exercise our First Amendment liberties regularly and boldly, we’re bound to lose them,” said Rev. Rob Schenck.

for all photos click here.

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Rev. Rob Schenck leads Christmas prayer and carol singing at the US Capitol.

December 15, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC–Rev. Rob Schenck, president of Faith and Action, today led prayer and caroling inside the US Capitol at an annual Christmas observance in the prestigious Mansfield Room.

Because the audience included decorated military veterans and others with connections to America’s defense community, Rob used the 1942 edition of the Song and Service Book for Ship and Field, issued by the Army and Navy. It was given to him as a gift.

In a liturgy from the Song Book called “Good Tidings,” Rob read a scripture portion from Isaiah 40 and a responsive reading based on Isaiah 9. The service closes with a reading of the Nativity account from the Gospel of Luke.

Rob followed the formal liturgy with a prayer thanking God for His gift of salvation in Jesus Christ and for the men and women of the Armed Services who will celebrate this Christmas far from their families.

“It was a very meaningful and deeply spiritual time,” said Rob. “It was a true observance of what is truly at the heart of Christmas, the telling of the salvation story that is focused on Christ.”

Originally posted at faithandaction.blogspot.com.

Your missionary to Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, Rob Schenck, reporting:

I didn’t blog on what happened when I attended the recent U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, but others did. It was my second interesting exchange with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. The first was last year when she grabbed my hand to escort me to meet the son of Martin Luther King, Jr., who had just addressed a ceremony at the Capitol honoring his father.

This time I had simply leaned over to thank the Speaker for keeping “Christ-mas” at the Capitol. I emphasized “Christ” because I felt she really had honored the meaning of the holiday. In a city where references to any kind of religious faith are sparse, she had not only referenced Christianity, but she permitted a US Air Force band to play Christmas carols. (Among them, Joy to the World.)

At first, Speaker Pelosi simply acknowledged that I had paid her some sort of compliment. Then, she realized the significance of my pronunciation and pursued me to let me know she had paid a price for her fidelity.

“I know, I got mugged for that you know,” she pleasantly told me.

The phrase, “got mugged,” wasn’t familiar at first. Then I remembered politicians using it to refer to being politically assailed when they never saw it coming. In other words, they didn’t expect to be criticized for what they had done. Obviously, Mrs. Pelosi hadn’t thought a Christmas tree and carols at the Capitol were politically risky.

When it dawned on me what her response meant, I thanked her again.

“No, you really have to know I got mugged for it,” she emphasized.

Good for Nancy Pelosi for standing up to such nonsense. Merry CHRIST-mas, Madam Speaker!

Thought you’d be interested reading these related articles:

http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=30961

http://news.aol.com/political-machine/category/nancy-pelosi/

http://christiannewswire.com/news/153388916.html

Be back later with more on Christmas in Washington . . .

Rob

This outline is of a sermon preached on Sunday morning, December 14, 2008, by the Reverend Dr. Edwin Elliott, pastor of the Manassas (VA) Reformed Presbyterian Church. Dr. Elliott is a good friend,  a member of our National Clergy Council executive committee and a highly valued adviser to Faith and Action.

Prophet

Isaiah 11:1-16; Hebrews 1:1-14 / Genesis 3:1-24

I. God Promised a Wonderful Gift-New Life

A. Life began for people with bright prospects and fearful warnings. “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:15-17)

B. Death entered the human story and life became miserable. “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Genesis 3:19)

C. Jesus Christ is a marvelous and utterly unmerited gift. “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)

The English word prophet represents some one who bubbles [nabi] or gushes messages from God or a person who sees the future [ro'eh] from God’s perspective. The prophet proclaimed the message given to him, as the seer beheld the vision of God. Consequently a prophet was a spokesman for God; he spake in God’s name and by His authority.
II. With New Life Comes New Understanding

A. God promised to explain His objectives. “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.” (Deuteronomy 18:15-19)

B. Christ became a man by taking to Himself a true human body; that process prophetically revealed the intent of God to save people. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” (Hebrews 2:14) “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.” (Hebrews 2:16)

C. Through the gift of Jesus Christ, God demonstrated His willingness and His ability to save; Christ is both fully God and fully man. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

D. Christ is the ultimate revelation of God in the language and experience of humanity. “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:18) “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” (Colossians 1:12-15)

E. All of history turned on the gift of Jesus Christ. “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” (1 Peter 1:10-12)

III. Christ Also Prophesies of Better Things

A. Not only does Jesus Christ pay off the debt of sin, He brings with Him the assurance of gifts far beyond simple redemption. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

B. Things which cause sorrow will have no place in the world to come. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

C. The good times will never end. “Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.” (Isaiah 60:20)

D. As God became part of the world, believers will become part of heaven. “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” (1 Corinthians 15:45-49)

By Rev. Rob Schenck

Monday, December 1, marked the official Christmas outreach season at Faith and Action. For most Christians in the United States and around the world, Sunday, November 30, was the First Sunday in Advent, the period set aside on the Western Christian calendar to contemplate the announcement of a coming savior.

Here at Faith and Action, we’ll unveil our Advent banner that reads, “Behold, He is coming!” from Malachi 3:1. The banner’s Christmas colors of green, red and white, and its size-two stories high-will command a lot of attention on Capitol Hill. Below it is our custom Crèche, a beautiful hand crafted manger scene depicting the real “reason for the season.”

You may have caught the news stories about our November 20, launch of dual Christmas outreach programs “Operation Nativity” and “The Nativity Project.” Both promote Christmas manger scenes by encouraging Americans to set them up on their private properties and in public venues, respectively. For our launch ceremony, we set up the only manger scene ever erected in front of the United States Supreme Court. (Check out this photo gallery by Getty Images photojournalist Alex Wong.)

Anyone can set up a Christmas display on their front lawn, in their picture window, at their place of business, or whatever other site they legally own or control. Public sites, such as town and city halls, county seats, parks, state capitols, etc., usually require either formal permission or even a permit. Contact your local government office to find out more.

Oddly, in the Federal District of Columbia (D.C.), where, of course, Washington is located, front “yards,” or, on Capitol Hill, “front gardens,” are deemed “public space.” It’s not quite the same as deeming them “public property,” in that owners must maintain them, but the Federal District ultimately government controls these areas. (If I had another life, I’d argue in court that compelling citizens to take care of government property is a form of slavery! Oh well, you’ve got to wisely pick your battles.) Anyway, this does mean the government can challenge our Nativity display. So far, it has not. Perhaps after capitulating on our Ten Commandments sculpture in the same garden, they don’t want a replay of a losing match.

Our Crèche is the only one you will see prominently displayed for the entire Christmas season within full view of the US Supreme Court, the US Capitol and the House and Senate office buildings.

One year we caught one of the Supreme Court Justices standing in front of Crèche, staring at the Baby Jesus and pondering. Perhaps the Justice was thinking about a possible future case in front of the High Court, or, better yet, perhaps about the meaning of the Child of Bethlehem!

By Paul Strand
CBN News Sr. Washington correspondent
November 20, 2008

CBNNews.com – WASHINGTON – A couple of Christian rights groups placed a nativity scene in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday, as part of an effort to encourage Americans to do the same in front of public buildings all across the United States.

The National Clergy Council and the Christian Defense Coalition point out many Americans falsely believe such displays are forbidden, and so creches have disappeared from many places where they used to be commonplace.

“Sadly we are seeing an erosion of the public expression of faith. Nowhere is this more seen than during the Christmas season,” said Reverend Pat Mahoney, national director of the Christian Defense Coalition.

Mahoney said these Christian rights groups started “The Nativity Project” to address this erosion, and to remind Americans that “our Constitution promises freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.”

“Tragically the courts have ruled that in many places, cities themselves can no longer display nativity scenes,” Mahoney stated. “But we’ve discovered individual citizens can go to their city halls, state capitol buildings, government buildings, and as individual citizens they can place nativity scenes up in these public places.”

And that’s what The Nativity Project is asking Americans to do.

Reverend Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council, a co-sponsor of the Nativity Project, said it’s important for citizens to exercise this right. “This is not only okay, it is to be encouraged. In fact the more we exercise this right the stronger that right becomes in our national life.”

Schenck said people have a false sense of understanding about the separation of church and state.

“Our forefathers made it quite clear that the so-called wall of separation between church and state is a gate, and it’s a one-way gate, and it prohibits the government from interfering with religion or imposing religion,” he said. ”But it does not in anyway prohibit American citizens, churches, congregations, believers, worshipers from bringing their faith out into the public. That’s one of our great freedoms.”

These groups are part of a Christian coalition also asking all Americans to place nativity scenes outside their own private homes, an effort called “Operation Nativity.” Mahoney said it’s an important way to witness.

“That Christ child who was born is the only one who can bring peace and hope and comfort in the hearts and lives of humanity,” he said.

“We are asking people of faith all across this country to go to their government buildings.in some circumstances you would need a permit, in some circumstances you don’t.and display the powerful message of the Christmas season,” Mahoney continued.

Schenck accused groups like the ACLU and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State of staging a campaign of intimidation to eradicate these displays.

“But the American people need to know it’s not only legal, it is protected,” he explained. ”You can put these displays on your own private property. And you can secure permits and permission to place them on public property, including in front of city halls, fire halls, town halls, county seats, state capitols and even in front of the United States Supreme Court or the U.S. Capitol.”

Mahoney said for the first time ever, the groups have received permission from Times Square to stage a live nativity scene December 6th right in the middle of Times Square.

He said it’s important, but not only in Times Square.

“The powerful message of Christmas is that God reached out to us to provide us hope and comfort,” Mahoney said. “The nativity scene is a reminder that there are no political solutions, there are no economic solutions, to provide answers to the longing of our heart.”

“So when we come out and display these nativity scenes publicly, it gives us a wonderful opportunity to talk about the hope of Christmas, the message of God, the comfort that only God can bring,” he continued. ”Only God can provide these kinds of answers in our heart. They can come from no other avenue.”

To find out where you can purchase a Nativity Scene to display, click here.

Faith and Action will this week co-sponsor the launch of Operation Nativity, an annual effort to promote the display of Christmas Nativity Scenes on public and private property. Rev. Rob Schenck will speak at a news conference Thursday morning, November 20, in front of the US Supreme Court, where a temporary Nativity Scene will be placed. Joining Rev. Schenck will be Dr. Charles Nestor, senior fellow for public policy at the National Clergy Council and Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition.

“This may be the first time in American history that a manger scene will be placed in the front of the US Surpeme Court,” said Rev. Schenck. “But it’s an important symbol because these displays are protected by the First Amendment. Citizens can request permission to erect them in public parks or in front of their city hall. They can always place them on their own property or borrowed private property without a permit of any kind. This is a great way of reinforcing the true meaning of the Christmas season, while reinforcing our constitutional freedoms.”