That was funny.
I've never thought of this before. Do Protestants display nativity scenes? I ask sincerely. Does the "war on idolatry" take a break over Christmas?
In answer to your questions, PT, yes and often. Most American Protestants have no problem with nativity scenes in the home, though fewer will actually display them in the church. My old Presbyterian pastor (and the Reformed tend to be more strict on this than your average Evangelical) wouldn't allow things like Christmas trees or nativity scenes in church but we all had them in our homes.
The distinction being, I think, that it is obvious that the statues in home nativity scenes, etc, are in no way being used for (public) worship.
Which is ironic, since that implies a much greater sacred/secular dichotomy than they would be at all comfortable with.
"In answer to your questions, PT, yes and often"
I'll second that, Jon W. - along with the balance of your comment.
Moreover, I'd like to note that we Lutherans, and also most Anglicans except for their Reformed wing, traditionally have never had quite the phobia concerning the presence of religious art - including statues - in the sanctuary that the Reformed, Baptists, and many garden-variety Evangelicals and Fundamentalists do.
Not just during the Advent season, either ...
I cannot believe he neglected to add "...and must therefore be put back in the box."
Maybe he thought he'd sound a bit too much like Senor Wences!
S'alright?
Bennet's observation is SO cogent and pithy and spot-on.
Thanks, Rod, and thanks Mark for linking to that.
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