As Christians Remember the Incarnation, OU Changes the Subject
With Christmas almost upon us, it's worth pausing to remember just what it is we're celebrating. In the beautiful and majestic prose of The Westminster Confession of Faith,
The Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon Him man's nature, with all the essential properties, and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin; being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance. So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion. Which person is very God, and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man. ...
This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake; which that He might discharge, He was made under the law, and did perfectly fulfil it; endured most grievous torments immediately in His soul, and most painful sufferings in His body; was crucified, and died, was buried, and remained under the power of death, yet saw no corruption. On the third day He arose from the dead, with the same body in which He suffered, with which also he ascended into heaven, and there sits at the right hand of His Father, making intercession, and shall return, to judge men and angels, at the end of the world.
I quote that at length so as to set it alongside a recent story in the OU student newspaper ('OU's annual holiday lighting ceremony to ring in multicultural holiday spirit'). "OU will host its annual holiday lighting celebration in the winter to ring in the holiday season with people of all beliefs and perspectives," Brianna Sims reported November 18 in a story with 298 words, none of which started with the letters C-h-r-i-s-t but nine of which were "holiday."
It was a tradition OU president David Boren and Molly Shi Boren began when they first came to campus. The holiday lighting celebration will be on Dec. 1 at David A. Burr Park, said university press secretary Corbin Wallace. ... "Participants can join in the festive celebration of lighting the holiday tree and menorah, sing along to holiday music, see Santa Claus and his elves, and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, hot apple cider and cookies," according to a press release from OU Public Affairs. ...
"I think it’s important in a multicultural country for everyone to come together and give everyone a chance to share their beliefs and their culture," said Mohsain Gill, a member of the Muslim Student Association at OU and a speaker at this year's upcoming ceremony. He will share how his culture specifically celebrates the holidays. "We will be celebrating the the major Islamic holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan where we fast," Gill said. "We celebrate our thankfulness of God. Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts for four days."
The state's largest newspaper also reported on the OU event. "The University of Oklahoma officially acknowledged the holiday season with its annual lighting ceremony and multifaith celebration," The Oklahoman reported December 5. "President David L. Boren and others spoke briefly about embracing all religions."
