This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE (12-21-04)

Christmas and the Christian religion has been under the sharpest attacks in our memory.
We’ve become used to one or two individuals filing a suit against the nativity scene....or even as was done earlier this year...against a display of the Ten commandments.
The year has also seen an individual mounting an attack on the words “Under God’ in the Pledge of Allegiance.
As I said.....there have been incidental attacks over the years on Christmas displays.
This year it has even invaded the schools....and a number of them have decided not to risk a suit....but their Christmas celebration uses only winter themes rather than the traditional Christmas carols.
The anti-Christian theme even emerged during the Presidential election in some instances.
It may seem strange to say.....but some good is coming out of these anti-religious attacks.
Many people have simply chosen, in the past, to ignore these
criticisms as merely annoyances.
This year, however, we’ve seen a different tone. People who have been anonymous in their Christian beliefs....are now coming forward and openly defying those who attempt to take the Christ out of Christmas.
The other night....at the Ross Ragland....and the presentation of Pat Boone.....we expected the Christmas portion to be devoid of
the religious carols......but we were pleasantly surprised to see not only the singing of some of these carols.....but the huge crowd openly
showing their appreciation for Boone and his defying the antis
with his actions.
One of his closing numbers was entitled “Under God”...in which direct reference was included about the recent attacks on that portion of our Pledge of Allegiance. What was the crowd’s response......
A standing ovation.
So....while there are those who do all they can to take Christ out of Christmas.....this year their criticisms have been answered loudly and clearly by Christians themselves....openly avowing their beliefs...
and standing up for our basic doctrines...the Declaration of Independence....The Constitution....and the Pledge of Allegiance.
In our own city.....it’s wonderful to travel the streets and see the preponderance of Christmas lights....and displays....that exclaim to the world that Christmas is just that.....a commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
So.....out of adversity....in my opinion has come even more
strength in a nation that was founded on Christian ideals.

Something to think about....on these few days before Christmas.

                                     This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.