Christians in Texas fed up with efforts by atheist groups to remove Christmas nativity scenes from public squares have been rallying, perhaps more unified than ever, behind Henderson County’s decision to defend their manger display on the courthouse lawn from a potential lawsuit.

As the result of a threatening letter from the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation received on Monday, pastors from the area have decided that they will no longer be silent on the issue.

The FFRF has asked that the county in east Texas remove the display from the square located in the city of Athens. The group also plans to display a banner next to the nativity scene that states, “At this Season of the Winter Solstice, LET REASON PREVAIL.” The banner further describes religion as a “myth and superstition.” more >>

[UPDATE] 12/12 11:53 a.m.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation says one Pennsylvania city doesn't have to take down its Nativity scene, which sits on the lawn in front of city hall, as long as the city also agrees to put up a banner that mocks God and religion.

“At this season of the Winter Solstice, LET REASON PREVAIL,” the banner says. “There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.” more >>

A controversy over the holiday greeting used in retail stores during the Christmas season has some Americans speaking out against the annual trend, with Saddleback Pastor Rick Warren also weighing in.

As Christmas is fast approaching, retailers are getting ready to cash in using holiday decorations and music. Although songs using the word “Christmas” abound, the greeting itself remains taboo in some businesses.

The issue that has some observers shaking their heads is whether store employees should be allowed to use “Merry Christmas” as a greeting, the argument against it being that a store employee cannot assume every customer is Christian. more >>

Although most Christians hearing of megachurch pastor Rick Warren’s plan to cancel regularly scheduled worship services this weekend in order to help facilitate community service projects have given the thumbs up, others say the event sends a mixed message.

“Good Neighbor Weekend” has been enthusiastically received by the majority of the 20,000 members at Saddleback Church in Orange County. Many have already signed-up online for acts of kindness, according to church officials.

Volunteer opportunities suggested and organized by church members include visiting severely disabled children in hospitals, serving breakfast to homeless and families living in motels, and helping families having members in the military stationed away from home with house chores. more >>

Americans all across the nation are buying a record number of Christmas trees this year since the recession, spending a total of $3.4 billion on the holiday decoration – a 3.1 percent increase from last year.

In the U.S. alone, residents will spend roughly $800 million for 25 million real trees, while others will spend $2.6 billion on 10 million artificial trees, Bloomberg quoted Nikoleta Panteva, a senior analyst at IBISWorld, as saying.

After seeing a drop in sales in 2008, spending on trees has continually risen for the third consecutive year. Despite the economic downturn, it appears as though Americans are unwilling to let go of their Christmas traditions. more >>

This time of year is usually filled with songs about baby Jesus and expressions of the great joy that emanates from the Christmas story. It seems no one told actor Johnny Depp who lent his voice to the rock band Babybird for a Christmas song filled with images of a drunken, party going Jesus, in the song “Jesus Stag Night Club.”

The song portrays Jesus as the facilitator for a stag night or better known in the states as a bachelor party. Hired by a group of teenagers believing him to be a look-alike, they discover in the end that he wasn’t a fake but the real Jesus.

During the night Jesus invites many to his night club as he enjoys his drunken night which leaves him passed out by the end. more >>