Concerned - Faith based Christmas Displays. Read Only. No more posting. - PlanetChristmas! Forums. Read Only. We've moved to http://talk.planetchristmas.com - The Forums of PlanetChristmas have moved to http://talk.PlanetChristmas.com
Overheard a comment tonight. "This adds a whole new meaning to Christmas..."
Unfortunately, it didn't register in my mind until later this evening. Otherwise I would have made a ripost to the woman's comment.
Now, my display is a mix of traditional music (O Holy Night, Away in a Manger, etc. )and TSO. I take measures to keep Santa-type commercialism out of the display. The only figures - aka blowmolds - are a nativity scene. Everyhing else is lights on trees and mini/mega trees. Part of the voice-over at the shows conclusion -"Remember, Christ is the reason for Christmas."
I don't want my display to "add a new meaning". Christ is meaning enough, and I don't want to be responsible for subverting that meaning!
Am I just reading too much into the comment, or.....?
I think that some people are not very accustomed to Jesus Christ being the true meaning of Christmas, which is why they may feel this way, even though it has been like this ever since Christ was born. In an era where Christ is constantly being pushed out of society in all different areas, it's becoming rarer and rarer to see people focused on what the holiday should be about. And, I think it is going to get worse from here.
In light of this, we try to do the same thing: remind people to focus on what is really important in the Christmas season, Jesus Christ.
We have gotten comments from people who think our display is too "religious", but that does not change our focus. And there are probably those who visit our display that may feel the same way your visitors might....
I guess I would take it as a complement and that your display is better then
the meaning the rest of the commercial and media types are pushing.
I got a lot of favorable comments on our new nativity and our "Jesus is the reason
for the season" lighted sign.
We also have our voice overs (by the Demented Elf - Kevin) say "Merry Christmas"
a lot and remind folks that "We" are celebrated the birth of our savior Jesus Christ.
When I go out and greet people I am always surprised how many people still
appreciate hearing Merry Christmas"
____________________ Kevin Thomas
"When you believe a thing, believe in it all the way" - Walt Disney
99,999+ lights - 500+ channels - FM100B http://www.ChristmasInKent.com
Let your light so shine before others...
Personally I plan to add more religious meaning to our display as I also crank up the Mega Tree and other dancing lights.
One think I am trying to figure out in my mind...do I construct some lighting for our nativity scene that can easily be conrolled more appropriately dimmed during the light shows, maybe 50% so folks still get the message of the Nativity while at the same time not having those lights fight the light show that draws folks in.
I saw a neat design for a light weight large cross...may, or probably likely will add that all lit up as part of the display, hope to build a Star of Bethlehem which will be placed over the Nativity Scene. Also hope to find the sign I saw advertised "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" all done in Rope Light I beleive. It was fairly priced a couple weeks ago, now I want to nab it during the after Christmas sales.
The Star and Cross would probably also be part of the light show to emphasise Christ in some of the songs...
I do need to rebuild part of the Nativity since it is a few years old now. I am contemplating adding a real roof (it may kill some grass - remember we live in Houston so grass grows all year long here) so I can then add "ceiling" style low impact lights to light the full scene. Better than the 5x100 watt Floods out there right now. Also considering strings of LEDs around the main structure to bring in the light... I'm open to suggestions to others who have already tackled the problem.
Part of the goal next year is to add a lot of lights but not to add to the power consumption, rather to decrease it via LOR controller as well as LED lights. Not a instant return on investment issue as much as keeping from adding more dedicated circuits and a sub pannel to the elec service issue.
I too missed this post. Missed following up on it!
This same lady came to my house EVERY NIGHT for the five weeks it was running! All this info comes second-hand, but I believe it credible.
Now get out your tissues.
This woman lost her husband back in September, and according to my source, she stated that this lifted her spirits, and wanted to know what church I went to (dunno why she couldn't just knock on the door - oh well) because she wanted to attend a church that could inspire people to do such things as my display.
Flanigan wrote: I too missed this post. Missed following up on it!
This same lady came to my house EVERY NIGHT for the five weeks it was running! All this info comes second-hand, but I believe it credible.
Now get out your tissues.
This woman lost her husband back in September, and according to my source, she stated that this lifted her spirits, and wanted to know what church I went to (dunno why she couldn't just knock on the door - oh well) because she wanted to attend a church that could inspire people to do such things as my display.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Wow! That is a great feeling! Mission accomplished!
![:]](/images/emoticons/big_grin.gif)
