Bethlehem Officially Cancels Christmas—So Does Disney
By Gary Randall
“BETHLEHEM has officially canceled Christmas for the first time in decades due to the Israel war massacre,” the news story says:
“Jesus’ birthplace has announced the usual decorations for the city will be taken down and the usual celebrations won’t go ahead “in honor of the martyrs and in solidarity with our people in Gaza.”
There is a war in the area.
But Disney has also announced they will no longer celebrate Christmas beginning 2024.
Are they also engaged in a war?
Be informed, not misled.
I know—we are celebrating Thanksgiving, not Christmas, next week. I’ll be talking about Thanksgiving in the coming days—then Christmas.
But thank you for letting me get this off my chest.
Christmas has been canceled in Jesus’ birthplace as officials announce that no tree, decorations, or lights will be put up this year.
The Sun reports:
The shock move means there will be no huge Christmas tree put up or any decorative lights in Manger Square – the exact spot where Jesus was said to be born.
This is the first time they’ve been cancelled since the modern celebrations began and even during the Covid-19 pandemic the square was still decorated.
A spokesman for the Bethlehem municipality confirmed that the normal plans for Christmas have been completely scrapped ahead of December 25.
The spokesman said: “The reason is the general situation in Palestine; people are not really into any celebration, they are sad, angry, and upset; our people in Gaza are being massacred and killed in cold blood.”
Therefore, it is not appropriate at all to have such festivities while there is a massacre happening in Gaza and attacks in the West Bank.
Bethlehem should send out its own message of condolence and mourning.
Keep in mind Bethlehem is a historical town with about 25,000 people living there, but it sits just six miles south of Jerusalem in the Palestinian-patrolled West Bank.
You can fill in the blanks.
The rest of the “Sun” story is pretty much focused on Israel as the oppressor and the Palestinians as the oppressed— the martyrs.
But why is Disney canceling Christmas? Are they, too, at war?
Christmas is most often considered the most wonderful time of the year—traditionally because on Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The Savior of the world.
There are, of course, other reasons as well. It’s full of beautiful lights, presents, joy, and more.
However, as the years go on, a holiday celebrated by most Americans is slowly being canceled. Disney World is the latest on that list, announcing that they will not celebrate Christmas in 2024.
Mouse Trap News says, “Remember back in the early 2000s when classrooms would celebrate Christmas? The kids would make decorations for their house, learn to wrap gifts, and even watch a Christmas movie the day before break. Companies would also celebrate Christmas with Christmas parties around the office. Over the past few years, these have gone from Christmas celebrations to holiday celebrations. It’s a slow erosion of the beloved holiday. Disney is getting on board as well by no longer celebrating Christmas in their parks.”
Disney released a statement explaining why they are canceling Christmas: “Christmas is canceled in all of the Disney World parks in 2024. This is due to the ‘controversial’ nature of Christmas. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party and all other Christmas celebrations will be canceled at Disney next year. We recognize that there are more holidays than just Christmas and want to have a more inclusive celebration for all people and religions.”
Takeaway
As you can imagine, the decision for Disney to get rid of Christmas in 2024 is sparking a huge debate. Most people are opposed to it. Keep in mind between 80 and 90% of Americans celebrate Christmas.
Disney will, I’m certain, still find ways to make a profit off of Christmas, just under the disguise of it as a “holiday celebration.”
Obviously, Disney is continuing to put distance between their founder, Walt Disney, and his pro-family, pro-Christian beliefs and their own far-left so-called “progressive” ideas.
In their attempt to please everyone, they will likely please no one except some of the Disney family stockholders who have become banner carriers for the most immoral, unnatural, destructive behaviors and beliefs in our culture.
The war is with God and His Truth.
In reality, Christmas is not about the infancy of Jesus; it is about His deity – the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ the Lord.
What is the meaning and purpose for God to be born in a manger? How can a person explain the Almighty God stooping down to become a tiny infant? Can our minds begin to understand what was involved in God becoming man? Nor can anyone explain how God could become a baby. Yet He did. Without forsaking His divine nature or diminishing His deity, He was born into our world as a tiny infant. He was fully human, and He was also fully God.
Apparently, Mickey Mouse has canceled Christmas. And Hamas never believed in it in the first place.
But Charlie Brown believes in it and knows the true meaning of it. And if Disney-owned ABC will air it again this year, Charlie will tell us what it’s really all about.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” points out the over-commercialization and secularism of Christmas and reminds the viewers of the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ the Lord.
A question is asked by Charlie Brown to Linus – “What is Christmas all about?” The answer that Linus gave to Charlie Brown was powerful, and it is an answer that every person on Earth needs to discover again.
Linus answered Charlie Brown (and the world) by quoting the Gospel of Luke Chapter 2.
Take a moment and read it.
Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Be Faithful. Be Prayerful.
From faithandfreedom.us
GARY RANDALL MINISTRIES publishes faithandfreedom.us.