Editorial

Every December controversies seem to rage over the placement of religious symbols in public schools and on public property. And every year the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights enters the fray, spending considerable resources fighting against those who seek to censor the religious meaning of Christmas.

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In previous years, the Catholic Herald office has received numerous faxes from the Catholic League as it struggles with these holiday "wars." We have admired their persistence in seeking to keep Christ in Christmas (the Knights of Columbus have also joined in this endeavor with holiday yard signs).

But this year we haven't heard from the Catholic League on this topic. So I checked the Web site and discovered that the organization is doing something different this year. Instead of attacking the situations where Christmas is censored, the Catholic League is promoting a positive view of Christmas.

Religion-Friendly Zones. We have heard about "nuclear-free zones" and "smoke-free zones." The Catholic League is promoting "Religion-Friendly Zones": "We are actively promoting Christmas in the private sector by mailing tens of thousands of 'Religion-Friendly Zone' decals to merchants and corporations."

The Catholic League points out, "There is no law which bars privately owned businesses from displaying religious symbols; all that is lacking is the courage to do so. To that end, we have mailed our decals to the Directors of Human Resources of the following entities throughout the nation: major malls; fraternal organizations; chain department stores; Fortune 500 businesses; supermarket chains; chain bookstores; banks; chain drug stores; chain restaurants; and chain hotels."

The plastic decal can easily be placed in any store window. Round in shape, it says along the top, "Religion-Friendly Zone." In the center of the red and green decal are hands clasped in a prayer-like fashion. "This will allow the decal to be posted in areas that allow for all religious displays, though it is certainly our hope that Christmas ones will be prominently featured," said the league. "Those who hate diversity and love censorship will not be happy with this project. But too bad for them - they can do nothing to stop it."

Those interested in obtaining a decal may contact the Catholic League at 450 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10123; phone 212-371-3191; or go to www.catholicleague.org

Christmas has become such a secularized holiday that we can lose the real meaning of this season. I would encourage business owners and others to display this decal and include some religious symbolism in their holiday decorations.

Christmas in the home. In our homes, we should also feature religious symbols. An Advent wreath or religious Advent calendar could be placed in a prominent spot. Perhaps a family could create their own calendar with prayers or good deeds recorded for each day leading to Christmas.

A Nativity scene should also be included in the home. For families with young children, the figures could be nonbreakable so that kids can enjoy playing with the pieces of the Christmas story. I also like the Hispanic tradition of waiting to place the baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas Day. Another suggestion is to celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6. Germans observe this day by putting out shoes to be filled with candy and small toys (if you've been good) or coal (if you've been naughty).

Let's join with the Catholic League in trying to keep Christ in Advent and Christmas this year - and hopefully rediscover the true meaning of this beautiful season.

Mary C. Uhler