Just like in 2009, Obama and his family are spending Christmas in Hawaii. Last year, the Obama family Christmas celebration did NOT include a church service.
From TIME, December 23, 2009:
The Senate vote on final passage of health reform almost scuttled their plans, but it looks like the First Family will still make it to Hawaii for Christmas. They've had a whirlwind holiday season so far, starting with the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, through hosting more than 50,000 people for 27 parties and open houses, and ending with a visit by the First Lady, Malia and Sasha, and the family's dog Bo, to deliver cookies to the Children's National Medical Center. The Obamas have also started their own holiday traditions in their new home, adding a Christmas wishing tree to the decorations festooning the White House.
But there's one common Christmas practice not on the First Family's schedule: a visit to Christmas Eve church services.
...The Obamas have attended Sunday services in Washington three times this year — once at the predominantly African-American 19th Street Baptist Church, and twice at St. John's Episcopal Church across Lafayette Square from the White House.
Obama didn't bother to interrupt his Christmas vacation by attending a Christmas service.
He didn't take his children to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, but he is a self-proclaimed devout Christian. He says he prays to Jesus every night. Big stuff.
Although no time was made in 2009 to observe the birth of Christ by attending a service, Obama had plenty of time to play golf and basketball and go to the beach in Hawaii.
No church. Not for him, not for his family.
Unlike in 2009, the Obama family actually attended a church service this year - an exceedingly rare occurrence. The White House wants to spread the word. Obama and his family went to church and they sang "Angels We Have Heard on High."
It's a miracle!
The White House Photo of the Day, from Twitter:
Photo of the Day: Obama family at St. Michael's Chapel at Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Here's more about the church service, from ABC News:
The protestant service’s program was dubbed "Contemporary Worship Service,” including a Call to Worship, Praise and Worship, Offering, Special music, Dismissal of children for Children's Church (4-10 years old), Proclaiming the Wors, Scripture reading Matthew 10:29-31, Message, communion, closing song and benediction.
The Obamas stood up to sing, “Angels We Have Heard on High,” with the rest of the congregation of about 100 people. “Oh Holy Night,” was sung, followed by another prayer.
The scripture lesson read, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."
Chaplain Moses told the congregation these verses make the point that even “insignificant details” of our lives matter to God.
President Obama participating in communion, took a wafer and dipped it into the chalice. Malia and Sasha followed, with Michelle Obama going last among their family.
After church service was over the Obamas returned to their rental home, and then President Obama quickly departed for the golf course, his second tee-time this vacation, with the sun coming out and the rain subsiding.
Obama hasn't given up his golf but clearly Team Obama believes it's a good idea to show the public that he did go to a church service this year.
It's propaganda. Obama is not a church-goer. He spent 20 years at Jeremiah Wright's church but that was a politically calculated move. The guy doesn't go to church and he's not raising his daughters to go to church. It's his choice.
I don't like this charade and the exploitation of the church setting for political gain.
Why is the White House putting out the photo of the Obama family in the pew?
Is Obama trying to appeal to the "bitter clingers"? Is he trying to recast himself as a religious man, hoping to win back all the supporters that have abandoned him?
Church as a photo op?
It smells like the beginning of Election 2012.
It stinks.
____________________
Needed: more church outings for the Obamas in 2011
If President Obama is looking for a New Year's resolution might I suggest he do in Washington with more regularity in 2011 what he did yesterday in Hawaii. Go to church. He can be discreet about it. No need to be all flashy about his devotion to God. Not that he would anyway.
But the upside of more pictures like the one here is that it would obliterate that other never-say-die conspiracy theory about Obama; that he's a closet Muslim. As an old editor of mine used to say (he's probably still saying it), "Don't tell, show."
Jonathan Capehart, of the Washington Post, seems to be suggesting that church attendance should be used to serve Obama's political needs rather than Obama attending church to praise and serve God.
Twisted.
1 comment:
posted incorrectly under following "blog post":
"Unlike in 2009, the Obama family actually attended a church service this year" but then you go on and thrash the President anyway. The bulk of your quotes and links were about last years' vacation. This year the President and his family attend services and he is thrashed, trashed, and vilified. No matter what he does (attends, doesn't attend) the extreme right picks a bone! It's almost as if, regardless what the President's schedule is for any given day, disrespectful individuals with an agenda will always find an angle for critique. The President takes a vacation: critical comments follow, the President golfs: critical comments follow. The President eats, critical comments. I noticed too the label or tag or whatever they are called linking Rev. Wright to this post - what new development is contained in this post that justifies any reference to Rev. Wright? I'm hoping the new year brings some joy into your life, Mary, rather than all this negativity.
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