Concert alert: Mary Mary
Here’s another concert on the horizon: “A Mary Mary Christmas Concert.” 
Erica Atkins-Campbell and Tina Atkins-Campbell, the sisters who make up the gospel duo Mary Mary will perform in concert at 8 p.m. Dec. 11 in the Douglass High School auditorium, 900 Martin Luther King Ave.
BLAC Inc. is sponsoring the concert.
Tickets are $35 and $45. They may be obtained at the following locations: Capital Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz Rhythm and Blues Store, Hopkins Hair Care, KM66, Learning Tree Toy Store, Urban Roots and BLAC Inc.
Mary Mary burst onto the gospel music scene with their hit “Shackles” back in 2000 and they haven’t looked back since .
I had a chance to interview them in 2003 when they performed at the wedding of a metro area couple who had a really special love story.
For more information about the Christmas concert, call BLAC Inc. at 524-3800.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
12 Days of Christmas: Christmas quiz
Just how did Mary and Joseph make their famous trip to Bethlehem? 
OK, if you are curious, you can take the quiz here. The answers are posted below the quiz.
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Christmas I.Q. Test
- As Long as Christmas has been celebrated, it has been on December 25. (True or False)
- Joseph was from:
(A) Bethlehem (B) Jerusalem (C) Nazareth
(D) Egypt (E) Minnesota (F) None of the above
3.How did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem?
(A) Camel (B) Donkey (C) Walked (D) Volkswagen (E) Joseph walked, Mary rode a donkey
(F) Who knows
4. Mary and Joseph were married when Mary became pregnant (True or False)
5. Mary and Joseph were married when Jesus was born (True or False)
6. Mary was a virgin when she delivered Jesus (True or False)
7. What did the innkeeper tell Mary and Joseph?
(A)“There is no room in the inn.” (B) “I have a stable you can use.” (C) “Come back after the Christmas rush and I should have some vacancies.”( D) Both A and B (E) None of the above
8. Jesus was born in a: (A) Stable (B) Manger (C) Cave (D) Barn (E) Unknown
9. A “manger” is a: (A) Stable for domestic animals (B) Wooden hay storage bin (C) Feeding trough (D) Barn
10. Which animals does the Bible say were present at Jesus’ birth? (A). Cows, sheep and goats (B). Cows, donkeys and sheep (C) Miscellaneous barnyard animals (D) Sheep and goats (E) Lions, tiger and bears (F) None of the above
11. Who saw the “star in the East.”(A) Shepherds (B) Mary and Joseph (C) The Magi (D) Both A and C (E) None of the above
12. What “sign” did the angels tell the shepherds to look for? (A) “This way to baby Jesus” (B) A star over Bethlehem (C) A baby that doesn’t cry (D) A house with a Christmas tree (E) A baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger (F) None of the above
13. What did the angels sing? (A) “Joy to the World,” (B) “Alleluia” (C) “Unto us a child is born” (D) “Glory to God in the highest. . . . “ (E) “My Sweet Lord”( F) “ Glory to the Newborn King”
14. There was snow that first Christmas (True or False)
15. The baby Jesus cried (A) When the doctor slapped him on the behind (B) Just like other babies (C) When the little drummer boy played his drum (D) He never cried
16. What is frankincense?(A) A precious metal (B) A precious fabric (C) A precious sap used in perfume (D) An Eastern monster story (E) None of the above
17. What is myrrh? (A) An easily shaped metal (B) A spice used for burial (C) A drink (D) An after-shave lotion (E) None of the above
18. How many “Magi” does the Bible say came to see Jesus ______________
19. The Magi found Jesus in a: (A) Manger (B) Stable (C) House (D) Holiday Inn (E) Good Mood
20. Where do you find the Christmas story in order to check on all these ridiculous questions?
(A) Matthew’s Gospel (B) Mark’s Gospel (C) Luke’s Gospel (D) John’s Gospel (E) All of the above (F) Only A and B (G) Only A and C (H) Only A, B and C
ANSWERS:
NOTE: Father Alsay wanted me to be sure to invite all my readers to St. Augustine’s Christmas Eve services set for 5:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Dec. 24. The church’s regular services are at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
12 Days of Christmas: Music brings joy
One of my favorites, both for the words and the way they are delivered, is “Immanuel.” I couldn’t find a transcript of the lyrics, but this is the first verse and chorus:
No decorations, no tree with tinsel, no lights this year at home
The rooms are silent, no carols play.
It’s the first time she is all alone.
But what a wonder; she says there’s comfort …
Immanuel: Our God is with us.
Yes, He is with us still.
Immanuel. He has not left us, and He never will.
It’s about people facing the festive season with emptiness, loss and heartache; the broken and lost. It seems I’m aware of more people than ever in those kinds of situations. Some, as in the first verse, remind themselves, and others need to be reminded that even in those circumstances, God is with them. And His people, including me, can help be that reminder.
Is it that simple? Does understanding and remembering that God is with us, whatever comes our way, really make a difference? Does sharing that message with someone else by taking time to call, visit or help, really make a difference? Well, it did today. It did last Sunday. In fact, it has daily. Just thinking of the reality that God is with me really does make a difference.
Joy to the world. The Lord has come. And He is still here!
What a gift! And, as the final song on that CD reminds me, what a Gift-giver. For indeed, God is the Giver and the Gift. Not only on one holy night, but always. May I always be grateful. May I rejoice and sing. And may I share that gift!
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12 Days of Christmas: Digital Nativity
OK, I am woefully inadequate when it comes to keeping up with my so-called 12 Days of Christmas postings.
We are just days away from the holiday and this is my second post in the series. I’m going to make it up somehow.
Here’s something interesting for anyone who is wondering how social media might have impacted the event we celebrate each Dec. 25.
Here you go: Digital Christmas
12 Days of Christmas, Day 1: Billy Graham classic holiday videos
There are 12 more days until Christmas, when Christians all around the world will celebrate the birth of Christ.
I’ll be blogging on many subjects, but I thought it might be nice to focus on at least one Christmas-related event, activity or issue in these days leading up to the holiday. 
Here’s something for the many people who have long enjoyed sermons and presentations from renowned evangelist Billy Graham.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has put together several short Christmas-themed videos featuring Graham and his family. The videos are available for viewing on the association’s website.
Here’s a link to the association’s site. When you get to the site, just click on the video on the left: Billy Graham classic holiday videos.
And yes, technically, I know the 12 days of Christmas begin with Christmas and lead up to Jan. 6, Three Kings Day, (Epiphany) but this is my interpretation, for blogging purposes!
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
An atheist Christmas coloring book
Atheist Christmas.
Sounds like a misnomer, perhaps.
Well, not if you follow the thinking of the “A
theist Christmas Coloring Book” which has been creaed for families “who want to enjoy a Christmas holiday free from religion.”
So says a news release from Mindposts.com, described as a place for rational parents, students and teachers to learn and share.
“There is no shame in celebrating Christmas as a time of love and joy,” the news release states.
“Families should share and celebrate the true roots of the season.”
Take a look at the book here: Atheist Christmas Coloring Book.
Rick Marazzani, MindPosts founder, said the coloring book provides “reason for the season” to firm up rational foundations for Christmas, and building the self-esteem of rational children.
“My wife and I are raising rational atheist kids, and in our house we celebrate Christmas,” Marazzani said, in the MindPosts news release.
“Tree and stockings, love and joy, food and cheer, family and friends. We continue our family traditions and enjoy sharing the fruits of our intelligence and productivity.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Technology to combat “Baby Jesus” thieves
Think twice before you steal “Baby Jesus” from the manger: Technology is now helping to combat a unique kind of thievery during the holidays.
A company called Company Brickhouse Security is offering to place free GPS trackers on Baby Jesus statues to keep them from being stolen from Nativity scenes.
Apparently the company also has offered the devices to Jewish communities to keep their menorah candle holders from being taken during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
A Boston Fox News affiliate reported that Company Brickhouse Security said the tracker means that if a thief makes off with the Baby Jesus statue or any other cherished item that it is attached to, a church, synagogue or other grop can log onto a computer or mobile phone to track the missing items.
Here’s more about this latest blend of technology and faith: “Churches Fit GPS to Baby Jesus to Stop Nativity Thefts.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Online Advent calendar
Trinity Wall Street is one again offering an embeddable online multimedia Advent calendar.
This year’s calendar “Love Revealed” will use music, video, photography and Scripture to tell the stories of young people across America who are growing into wisdom, advocating for change and creating a better world.
The calendar will be offered from Nov. 28 through Dec. 25.
In its news release, Trinity Wall Street said the multimedia calendar will focus this year on innovative church programs that are enriching the lives of young people.
Access the calendar here Love Revealed or go online to the following link: www.trinitywallstreet.org/advent
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Focus on the Family offers “Voyage of the Dawn Treader” contest
Last night, my daughter asked me about the “Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” the next feature film in the “Chronicles of Narnia” movie series.
Then I received word today of a new contest related to the upcoming movie. 
So I guess it’s time to see what updates are available about the latest ”Narnia” film and the new contest.
“Voyage of the Dawn Treader” is set to premiere Dec. 10 in theaters nationwide. If you are interested in viewing one of the official movie trailers, click here: “Voyage trailer” and scroll down once you click on the link.
Now about the contest. To participate in Focus on the Family’s “Focus on Christmas” contest, tell in 200 words or less who is your favorite “Narnia” character and why you would like to go to the ”Voyage of the Dawn Treader” London movie premiere.
One winner will receive a trip for two to the London premiere.
For more information about the contest, visit “Focus on Christmas.”
The “Narnia” films are based on the beloved children’s fiction book series by author and Christian apologist C.S. Lewis. Incidentally, there’s still a lot of discussion on the Internet about the merits of Walden Media making all seven of the books in the series into movies. Some folks argue that all of them may not translate well on the big screen while others are saying it will be a dream come true if all the books are made into film so they can have a complete movie set.
Also, here’s something else. The Internet Movie Database has a special link devoted to “Voyage.” Get connected to it here: “Voyage of the Dawn Treader.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Shopping with Christmas buttons
Ok, the Christmas shopping season officially begins Friday and I just learned about a Christmas button that some folks in other parts of the country are wearing as they flock to stores.
It’s part of a campaign called “Wish Me a Merry Christmas” that has folks who want retailers to return to greeting them with “Merry Christmas” when they shop in their stores.
You see the button here with this posting.
Apparently, individuals and churches are purchasing these buttons from the campaign Web site at www.wmamc.com. More than 200,000 of the buttons have been distributed, the campaign’s organizers said.
They noted that in a 2004 Gallup Poll, 88 percent of Americans said it was OK for retailers to wish them a “Merry Christmas.”
In a news release, campaign manager Ashley Tarter said the goal of the campaign is to:
1. To actively retract adverse corporate holiday wishing policies, by returning to the traditional and explicit “Merry Christmas” phrase;
2. To restore use of the symbols, language and sounds of Christmas in in-store displays, signage and music, as well as in November and December advertising.
I searched on the campaign’s Web site and, as yet, there is not a charter church spearheading the campaign in Oklahoma.
It’s an interesting initiative though.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
