Marrow Man
Drunk with Powder
We already have a thread about the RPW and Christmas going, but I was wondering about the thoughts of others with regard to Nativity scenes. Sometimes I just want to bounce my thinking off other Reformed-minded folks just to make sure that I'm not going all TR on everyone.
It seems to me that there are at least two problems with Nativity scenes:
1) An image of Christ is obviously being used, and this is a violation of the 2nd Commandment (as stipulated in WLC Q. 109).
2) Most Nativity scenes teach more than one minor error in that they have three Magi arriving on the night of Jesus' birth.
Now, it might be entirely possible to get around both of these problems. For instance, having an "empty" manger is possible. Also, the Magi can be left out of the scene entirely.
I would like to leave out Nativity scenes entirely, but we have the additional problem at my church of having a hand-carved set purchased in Israel being donated to the church years ago by a beloved member of the congregation who has now gone to be with the Lord (one reason that churches should accept such things, but that's another soapbox for another day). A brother on the PB reminded me the other day that we need to carefully pick the hills we are willing to die on, and this is one that requires careful consideration.
What say you all? Any helpful thoughts on this issue? Any similar experiences?
It seems to me that there are at least two problems with Nativity scenes:
1) An image of Christ is obviously being used, and this is a violation of the 2nd Commandment (as stipulated in WLC Q. 109).
2) Most Nativity scenes teach more than one minor error in that they have three Magi arriving on the night of Jesus' birth.
Now, it might be entirely possible to get around both of these problems. For instance, having an "empty" manger is possible. Also, the Magi can be left out of the scene entirely.
I would like to leave out Nativity scenes entirely, but we have the additional problem at my church of having a hand-carved set purchased in Israel being donated to the church years ago by a beloved member of the congregation who has now gone to be with the Lord (one reason that churches should accept such things, but that's another soapbox for another day). A brother on the PB reminded me the other day that we need to carefully pick the hills we are willing to die on, and this is one that requires careful consideration.
What say you all? Any helpful thoughts on this issue? Any similar experiences?