The Carnival of Christmas II Official Annoucement

The Carnival of Christmas comes but once a year and now is the time. It’s a great opportunity for blogs to take part in something positive that celebrates Christmas and its meaning. The first carnival was a grand successs and I hope to make the second one even better with your help. Below are the rules, mostly reposted from 2005:

In World War I, British and German soldiers broke into a ceasefire around Christmas. Such is the power of that great day on our calendar.

Sadly, there is no ceasefire in the Culture War for Christmas. With the coming of December, armies of Lawyers are lined up on both sides ready to join battle in the War for Christmas.

Some desire to wipe Christmas out for the generic Holidays. Yet, call me old-fashioned, or call me part of the large mass of Americans who still celebrates Christmas. The Holidays are a time of great stress, debt, and money problems. The Holidays are a time when stores get more inventive in finding ways to part you and your money.

Yet, Christmas is something altogether different. I remember two things about Christmas. The first is that it was the birth of Jesus. Given what He means to Christians as our savior, that’s reason enough for us to celebrate.

The second thing that stands out about Christmas is that it was a time of goodness. You’d see a little bit more kindness from friends and family. People would be more understanding. People buy toys for children they don’t know, and fill food banks and rescue missions. Christmas is a time of redemption. In “The Christmas Carol,” each year millions watch Ebenezer Scrooge be given a second chance and actually change.

Each year millions who stay away from Church all year, come on Christmas. For some its tradition, a tie to what their family has always done. For others, its a hunger for goodness that overwhelms all else and leads them to search for that Star the magi followed so long ago.

Christmas in our culture, in addition to the birth of Christ, represents all that is good, holy, and beautiful. It calls us to be better people, it calls us to our best. It calls us to wonder, love, and compassion. Christmas means something beyond materialism, beyond political correctness.

So we’re pleased to announce the first ever Carnival of Christmas and invite you to make a blog post about Christmas and send it in. I accept podcasts, photoblog entires, and Video Blogs entries as well.

The ground rules are simple:

1) The post should be about Christmas. While I respect those who celebrate other holidays, it can become a big jumble if you throw everything in. People are welcome to start a “Carnival of Haunakah” or a “Carnival of Kwanzaa” and I’ll be happy to link to them from here. In fact, I’m actively looking for a Jewish blogger to host a Carnival of Haunakah, so if you’re interested e-mail me

2) Posts do not have to be explicitly Christian, but needs to be respectul of Christianity.

3) Posts should not contain objectionable or immoral content.

4) Posts should be made in a Spirit of Christmas cheer. The Christmas Carnival is a “no cynicism” zone.

5) No Bashing political opponents. (What part of Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men don’t you understand?)

6) Deadline: You have until Midnight MDT on December 22rd to send your Carnival Submissions.

7) Linkbacks are appreciated but not required. (For it is more blessed to give than to receive.)

All Blogs are welcome to participate regardless of political affiliation.

9) I’m not setting an arbitrary limit on posts this year, but I will ask you to designate a favorite post in case we get too many submissions, we’ll only post one person.

You can submit your post using the Blog Carnival form Posts that do not adhere to guidelines will not be allowed and there won’t be an e-mail sent back. Please be sure your post applies to our standards.

Also, please e-mail me if you have suggestions for photographs, YouTube videos, or famous Christmas quotes to use in the carnival.

Now, let’s have a great carnival, people.

Linked by the ever faithful Romeo Cat at Cathouse Chat

Linked to The Christmas Alliance

Christmas

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