Outdoor Christmas Decorations: Nativity Scene Or Secular?

mexolic · #1 Nov 30, '12, 4:40 pm

During the Christmas season, besides lights, many people deorate the outside of their homes with Santa, reindeers, snowman etc. Others have a Nativity scene. I think the Nativity scene is a person's way of reminding others that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus. Maybe other people view a Nativity scene as too religious. What are your thoughts?

Gordon Sims · #2 Nov 30, '12, 5:30 pm

I'd love to see more Nativity scenes and other religious decorations outdoors at Christmastime. Around our house, if anyone does more than lights it's those garish, blow-up displays, many of which fall victim to BB guns by the end of the season. We'll occasionally put a garland with light out but don't do more than that thanks to some neighborhood vandals from years ago.

Ophelia23 · #3 Nov 30, '12, 5:54 pm

I agree. We don't have a Nativity scene outside simply because we can't afford one. We're a young, broke family. Everything is second-hand.

I always keep an eye out for a Nativity on Craig's List, though!! Inside our house, there is no question where our Christmas loyalties lie. But outside, since we do not have a nativity, we keep it pretty neutral. We have icicle lights, evergreen boughs, a spiral Christmas tree, and a fake evergreen thing that says "Joy" on it.

**Tantum ergo** · #4 Nov 30, '12, 6:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mexolic

During the Christmas season, besides lights, many people deorate the outside of their homes with Santa, reindeers, snowman etc. Others have a Nativity scene. I think the Nativity scene is a person's way of reminding others that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus. Maybe other people view a Nativity scene as too religious. What are your thoughts?

I thought we had both freedom of speech and freedom of worship in this country. If somebody wants to decorate his house or lawn with a flying spaghetti monster or light up druids, people will speak of 'diversity' and 'artistic freedom'. But oh GASP a Nativity. . .now we're religious freaks.

Until they take the word 'Christmas' off every single calendar, newspaper, 'media', book, TV show, or song; until they remove every possible 'religious theme' piece of merchandise, until the 25th of December is proclaimed throughout the USA as "Commercial Day" to be marked purely by the giving of ABC (anything but Christian) gifts., . .

Then my 'diversity' and 'artistic freedom' in displaying a Nativity is just as appropriate for the 'soi-disant' winter holiday (the last word ITSELF coming from HOLY DAY) than any other 'decoration.'

Corki · #5 Nov 30, '12, 6:14 pm

This is one time of year I am happy to live in the Bible belt. Nativity scenes abound.

I have even seen a nativity version of those big inflatable yard decorations.

As for our house, we have a nativity scene and lots of lights outside! We may be adding a choir of angels this year.

ilySHJ · #6 Nov 30, '12, 6:23 pm

We've always done both the nativity scene and other decorations … but the nativity is the centerpiece. Then there was a rash of baby Jesus thefts, so we made a diorama in one of our windows. It looked great!

Ophelia23 · #7 Nov 30, '12, 7:00 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ophelia23

I agree. We don't have a Nativity scene outside simply because we can't afford one. We're a young, broke family. Everything is second-hand.

I always keep an eye out for a Nativity on Craig's List, though!! Inside our house, there is no question where our Christmas loyalties lie. But outside, since we do not have a nativity, we keep it pretty neutral. We have icicle lights, evergreen boughs, a spiral Christmas tree, and a fake evergreen thing that says "Joy" on it.

I should mention that I agree the Nativity is a way of reminding others what Christmas is about. Not that it is too religious.

Aggies08 · #8 Nov 30, '12, 7:01 pm

We won't even have lights up... one year we'll have the money!

jediliz · #9 Nov 30, '12, 7:32 pm

Combine it...there is a santa ornament where he is kneeling at the manger. You could do the same somehow couldn't you?

donsnow · #10 Dec 1, '12, 4:39 am

Good morning, mexolic,

I like Nativity scenes and all the other Christmas decorations.

God loves you,
Don

**Dale_M** · #11 Dec 1, '12, 3:21 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jediliz

Combine it...there is a santa ornament where he is kneeling at the manger. You could do the same somehow couldn't you?

That is basically what I did. When I moved, my new front yard space was much smaller so I combined the two displays.

I replaced the stable animals with reindeer. For the three wise men bearing gifts I used Santa, Mrs. Claus, and that misfit elf from the television special. And for the star, I put Rudolph on the roof and amped up his nose to make it really bright.

It has the unfortunate night-time side effect of turning the snow to bloody red. But since half our Christmases are brown that is less of a problem than you might think. Most years, the neighbors don't complain.

irishpatrick · #12 Dec 2, '12, 11:42 am

I know of one house that goes all out decorating, huge display. However, they have a large Nativity scene as a focal point, and they also have a kneeling Santa (kneeling to the infant Jesus). They have an attractive mix, yet they leave no doubt what the reason for the season is, they even put that saying "Jesus's birth is the reason for the season," in their display and they place printed copies of "The Real Christmas Story" for use by anyone who walks to take one.

I believe that presents a proper "living in the world, yet not being of tghe world" Christmas display.

iheartdance · #13 Dec 2, '12, 11:53 am

I am a huge life size one out of construction paper. I wish I could post a picture but I am not computer savvy

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