Texas Baptist Forum

Posted: 12/15/06

Texas Baptist Forum

‘Baby Jesus’

Merry Christmas. And, oh, by the way, there is no more “baby Jesus.”

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Letters are welcomed. Send them to marvknox@baptiststandard.com; 250 words maximum.

“There are people who feel ‘excluded’ by Christian symbolism and are offended by the manger and the angels and the Child, but there have always been humorless, legalistic people. Complaint is an American art form, and in our time, it has been raised to an operatic level. To which one can only say: ‘Get a life.’” Garrison Keillor Author and radio personality (RNS) “My sense so far speaking to people is that they are understanding. They’re taking the high road and being compassionate, not condemning her.” Oscar Isaac Actor who plays Joseph in The Nativity Story, speaking about the revelation that actress Keisha Castle-Hughes, who plays Mary, is pregnant and unwed at age 16. (USA Today/RNS) “If I really want to last in life, I’ve got to stop and realize there’s a whole journey of life to live. I’ve got to remember it’s not how fast I live that’s important; it’s how well I live.” Rick Warren Pastor of Saddleback Community Church in Southern California (www.pastors.com) “Let us pray for brotherhood and for all humanity.” Pope Benedict XVI Joining Mustafa Cagrici, the grand mufti of Istanbul, in prayer beneath the dome of the Blue Mosque, one of the most prominent landmarks in the Muslim world, in Istanbul (RNS)

As one who has a relationship with God through his Son, Jesus the Messiah, I am disturbed by the image of a baby in a manger that is so prevalent at this time of year. The reasoning for this is that children can relate easily to a baby when being taught about Jesus.

At face value, the statement sounds good. I can buy into the idea of children relating to a “baby Jesus” when they are “introduced” to the Lord. But even children understand the concept of growing up.

If we are serious about helping people move to a point in their lives where they can have a “knowledge that leads unto salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15-16), then we need to stop feeding them milk (God loves you. Jesus loves you. Think happy thoughts.) and feed them on the meat of the word. God does love us, and the Messiah as well (John 3:16-17), but life for the Christian is appropriately described as a race to be run. It’s a mixture of Romans 7:15, 24 and Romans 8:37-39.

May every day be a celebration of God’s lovingkindness and mercy.

David Page

Sour Lake

Mutual cooperation

I would find it hard to describe myself as being inside the target demographic for your publication. I also believe we disagree on some things you believe to be fundamental to one’s moral compass. Setting those things aside, I would like to thank you for the editorial on the controversy surrounding Pastor Rick Warren’s recruiting of Sen. Barack Obama (Dec. 4).

Some things are not only more important than one’s beliefs but must also require the mutual cooperation of a wide number of people, all working together toward a goal or purpose that is unequivocally important. I’m glad you understand this, and hope there are many others in your community who understand as well.

Manuel Magaña

River Rouge, Mich.