Operation Nativity—Who Cares?

Ronald Bailey | November 2, 2005

As an oppressed religious minority in the United States, some Christians evidently feel the need to assert themselves. Thus Operation Nativity has been launched which urges lots of Christians to put nativity scenes on their own private property. The more the merrier.

However, the press release goes on to spoil the spirit of the holiday by noting: "Operation Nativity is not a call to abandon the fight to have access to the public square for the purpose of celebrating the historic reason for the season." Actually, nativity scenes are often legal in public squares now. But never mind.

More interestingly, the press release points out: "Since 1870 Christmas has been a federally endorsed holiday by law." Hmmm. Since it's a federal holiday anyway, why not consider making Christmas a three day weekend holiday like President's Day or Labor Day? That way we might avoid a future a nasty lawsuit over the establishment clause. That would be a win/win for believers and nonbelievers.