With the proliferation of Nativity scenes each year at the Christmas season, it would be easy to suppose they have been around since that first manger night in Bethlehem.   Not so. With the proliferation of Nativity scenes each year at the Christmas season, it would be easy to suppose they have been around since that first manger night in Bethlehem.   Not so.   Indeed, the introduction of Nativity scenes into the Christmas season did not begin until hundreds of years after Jesus’ birth.   However, in the ensuing centuries, they have become an unmistakable - and creative - aspect of the annual Christmas holiday season.   St. Francis of Assisi is credited by most with the real introduction of Nativity scenes in 1223 or 1224.   However, some histories cite the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome with creating the first such scene in the 10th century.   As the idea spread across Italy, churches reportedly began constructing decorative scenes that included gold, silver and jewels.   Enter St. Francis.   Concerned with the trend to ornate representations of the nativity, St. Francis decided to create a scene that was truer … [Read more...]

He was more than an hour from the office and still frustrated, still muttering to himself about the fool state of his life.   He had a right.   It was just a couple of hours ago that his truck had died on him, requiring a tow to the repair shop, forcing him to rent a car in order to travel the several hours he needed to for the weekend. Note: The following is the first of three devotions on the Nativity to be published in the Louisiana Baptist Message in celebration of the Christmas season. This devotional was written by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson.   He was more than an hour from the office and still frustrated, still muttering to himself about the fool state of his life.   He had a right.   It was just a couple of hours ago that his truck had died on him, requiring a tow to the repair shop, forcing him to rent a car in order to travel the several hours he needed to for the weekend.   And that was not all.   No, that was on top of the other aggravations and circumstances from the previous two weeks - seemingly a new one each and every single day, he thought.   Of course, he tried not to think of it too much. That was … [Read more...]

Members at First Baptist Church of Lafayette marked a century of ministry within their community during recent anniversary ceremonies. Some 1,600 persons attended anniversary services, which featured the premiere of a anthem commissioned from Claire Cloninger and Gary Rhodes. Members at First Baptist Church of Lafayette marked a century of ministry within their community during recent anniversary ceremonies. Some 1,600 persons attended anniversary services, which featured the premiere of a anthem commissioned from Claire Cloninger and Gary Rhodes. The church was organized in November 1902 with just five charter members. By 1927, it had grown to 266 members and had recorded 180 baptisms in a four-year span. By 1939, it had launched the first of many missions in the Acadiana area. By 1949, the congregation had moved to a new facility, which would serve as home for the church for some 50 years. In 1959, the church called the 10th pastor in its history - Perry Sanders. By this time, the the church numbered 1,209 members and was the largest non-Catholic congregation in Lafayette. In ensuing years, Sanders and church leaders continued the commitment to growth, establishing the church as a state leader in … [Read more...]

The issue of school vouchers has gained considerable press - and generated sometimes pointed debate - in recent years.   The bottom line question in the matter is should government money be used to enable kids now in public schools to attend private schools, even religious ones. The issue of school vouchers has gained considerable press - and generated sometimes pointed debate - in recent years.   The bottom line question in the matter is should government money be used to enable kids now in public schools to attend private schools, even religious ones.   In some cases, the push is for wide-open use, enabling any child to take the government money that usually follows them to public schools and apply it towards tuition at a private school - any private or religious school.   In other instances, the call is for the use of vouchers for poor children in poorly-performing or failing public schools.   Tentative programs have been launched and studied and debated and challenged. Some say the vouchers are a logical means of making schools accountable and giving students a chance. Others say the program will decimate public schools and represents a violation of the … [Read more...]

For the week of December 5, 2002 Potpourri   • SHREVERPORT - North Shreve church: Bob Matheny, guest speaker; Dec. 8, 11 a.m.; Roy W. Davis, pastor.   • SHREVEPORT - Pinecroft church: Sam Feazel, guest speaker; Dec. 8, 10:45 a.m.; Marty J. Wright, pastor.   • POLLOCK - Pleasant Hill church: The Mark Trammell Trio in concert; Dec. 5, 7 p.m.; Lyndon Marcotte, pastor.   • MANGHAM - Calvary church: Hosting a reception for Johnnie Allen, pastor at Bethlehem church in Mangham, Dec. 8, 2-4 p.m.; Allen previously served as pastor at Calvary for 26 years; Johnny Mathis, pastor.   • LIBUSE - Philadelphia church: The Martins in concert; Dec. 12, 7 p.m.; Philip Robertson, pastor.   Christmas Programs   • HAYNESVILLE - First church: "Christmas in Cricket County" drama; Dec. 11, 6 p.m.; Mike Callen, minister of youth; Shelby Cowling, pastor.   • HAYNESVILLE - First church: "Sing and Shout For Joy" musical; Dec. 8, 6 p.m.; Terrell Jackson, minister of music; Shelby Cowling, pastor.   • LAKE CHARLES - First church: "Every Knee Shall Bow" living Christmas pageant; Dec. 6-9, 7 p.m.; Dec. 7, 2 p.m.; to reserve free tickets, call (337) 433-1443; … [Read more...]

Note: Southern Baptists currently are observing the Week of Prayer for International Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. The theme of this year’s emphasis is "That All Peoples May Know Him: Seek God’s Passion." The goal of this year’s offering is $125 million and will be used for missions efforts throughout the world. The following article highlights one of the workers who minister outside of the United States. Note: Southern Baptists currently are observing the Week of Prayer for International Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. The theme of this year’s emphasis is "That All Peoples May Know Him: Seek God’s Passion." The goal of this year’s offering is $125 million and will be used for missions efforts throughout the world. The following article highlights one of the workers who minister outside of the United States.   The K’ekchi’ Baptist Association in Guatemala is more than a missions field - it is a missions-enabler.   Indeed, the association has supported its own "home missionaries" for several years now, sending them out to start new works and help them grow.   To fund the work, the association follows the Southern Baptist lead and sponsors an annual … [Read more...]

Reports indicate having a pro-life identification proved beneficial for congressional candidates in the recent round of elections.   Now, pro-life advocates say they hope that development will manifest itself in the passage of key measures. Reports indicate having a pro-life identification proved beneficial for congressional candidates in the recent round of elections.   Now, pro-life advocates say they hope that development will manifest itself in the passage of key measures.   Exit and post-election polls showed pro-life candidates held an advantage with voters who saw abortion as an important issue.   Overall, 41 percent of voters in nine states said the abortion issue affected their voting decisions. Of those, 61 percent said they voted for pro-life candidates in general, while 31 percent said they opted for pro-choice candidates. In terms of the total electorate, the result showed a 12 percent advantage for pro-life candidates.   "That differential will win most contested races, and it did in this election," said Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. "The first Tuesday of November was a day of tremendous … [Read more...]

For the week of December 12, 2002 Cooperative Program Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled $16.1 million last month, an increase of $82,157 (0.5 percent) from the previous November. Two months into the convention’s fiscal year, overall gifts total $29.9 million, an increase of more than $1.1 million (4 percent) from the same time last year. The total also stands $416,289 (1.4 percent) ahead of budget at this time. Meanwhile, designated gifts totaled a little more than $3.5 million last month, a decrease of $233,157 (6.2 percent) from the previous November. Two months into the fiscal year, overall gifts total almost $6.3 million, a drop of $793,301 (11.2 percent) from the same time last year. First Amendment case The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is appealing a ruling by an appellate court that said it cannot restrict speech on sidewalks running through its plaza in downtown Salt Lake City. The plaza used to be a section of Main Street but was purchased by the Mormons from the city in 1999. Upon purchasing the property, the church placed restrictions on demonstrations, protests and other activities in the one-block area. The American Civil Liberties Union and the First … [Read more...]

For more than three and a half decades, the retired treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Texas possessed a historical treasure he did not even recognize.   Jay Skaggs shot one roll of slide film in downtown Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dealey Plaza. For more than three and a half decades, the retired treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Texas possessed a historical treasure he did not even recognize.   Jay Skaggs shot one roll of slide film in downtown Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dealey Plaza.   Never particularly impressed with his photos from that fateful day, Skaggs shared them only with close family.   However, when he and his wife decided to make their first visit to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Skaggs brought his slides and a series of prints made from them.   The museum curator said Skaggs had the last known still image of Kennedy taken prior to his assassination. He also had one-of-a-kind color photos taken inside the perimeter of the crime scene investigation. Those rare images are part of a current exhibit at the Sixth … [Read more...]

A two-foot high magi leans against the cushions of the couch - his traveling companions sprawl on either side. On the floor, in front of the off-the-floor couch, lies a sheep - and a donkey. The baby Jesus rests in his makeshift wooden crib nearby. "Hey, you got your manger scene out already," the son notes to his mother as he walks into the patio sunroom. "I got everything out the other day - it’s that time of year," the mother replies. "Where you going to put it?" he asks. Note: The following is the second of three devotions on the Nativity to be published in the Louisiana Baptist Message in celebration of the Christmas season. This devotional was written by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson. A two-foot high magi leans against the cushions of the couch - his traveling companions sprawl on either side. On the floor, in front of the off-the-floor couch, lies a sheep - and a donkey. The baby Jesus rests in his makeshift wooden crib nearby. "Hey, you got your manger scene out already," the son notes to his mother as he walks into the patio sunroom. "I got everything out the other day - it’s that time of year," the mother replies. "Where you going to put it?" he asks. "I’m not sure," the mother responds. … [Read more...]