"If there ever was a “war on Christmas” in America, Santa may have won.
Nine in 10 U.S. adults celebrate the holiday, according to the Pew Research Center. However, that celebration is shifting in a secular direction. And a growing number of Christians discount key elements of the biblical Nativity story.
The survey also finds a “striking shift” in the overall share of people — down from 65 percent in 2014 to 57 percent today — who believe four key elements of the biblical Nativity story.
There’s slippage among both Protestants and Catholics.
And the narrative doesn’t fly with most “nones” – people who claim no religious identification: 53 percent reject all four elements, up from 42 percent in 2014.
Christian culture-watchers say they’ve seen these trends gathering strength for years.
The survey captures how “too many people think Christmas is about a mall and not a manger,” said Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College.
The Pew survey of 1,503 U.S. adults, conducted by phone Nov. 29 to Dec. 4, has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points overall." RNS
Nine in 10 U.S. adults celebrate the holiday, according to the Pew Research Center. However, that celebration is shifting in a secular direction. And a growing number of Christians discount key elements of the biblical Nativity story.
The survey also finds a “striking shift” in the overall share of people — down from 65 percent in 2014 to 57 percent today — who believe four key elements of the biblical Nativity story.
- Jesus was born to a virgin: From 73 percent to 66 percent.
- Baby Jesus was laid in a manger: From 81 percent to 75 percent.
- Wise men, guided by a star, brought Jesus gifts: From 75 percent to 68 percent.
- An angel announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds: From 74 percent to 67 percent.
And the narrative doesn’t fly with most “nones” – people who claim no religious identification: 53 percent reject all four elements, up from 42 percent in 2014.
Christian culture-watchers say they’ve seen these trends gathering strength for years.
The survey captures how “too many people think Christmas is about a mall and not a manger,” said Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College.
The Pew survey of 1,503 U.S. adults, conducted by phone Nov. 29 to Dec. 4, has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points overall." RNS
And the angel said unto them,
Fear not: for, behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 2:10
