For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for December 23, 2012

And a little child shall lead them.

I don’t give a darn if any of you don’t give a darn, but happy birthday to Joseph Smith, Jr. as well (born 23 Dec. 1805).

I’d like to see this strip try to run in Canada again today.

Oh ye of little faith and who worship money, God loves you also.

..unto you is born this day…

Beautiful, very moving!!

No room for comments like that here on this strip. They are Christians and have their beliefs, we should not judge—tolerate and accept.

Yes.

One thing I like about this season is that it has something for everyone – or at least it has potential. For those of us who are Christian, it affords us a time to celebrate not only a birth, but incarnation itself. For those of us who are not Christian, it still affords us all a chance to brighten up a typically (in northern climes, at least) gloomy time of year with lights, greenery, and singing. And although the consumerism of the US is unhealthy, I do think a time in which we exchange a gift or two for no reason in particular has some benefit.

When my sons were young, we always sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. They knew it was His birthday, and we got His gifts. Now they do that with their families.

Yes, happy birthday, Jesus!! You were taught well, Lizzie!

I’ll bet Scrouge was a exsistential nihilist.

Happy birthday Jesus.

From Welcome to Our World by Chris Rice:“Tears are flowing, hearts are breaking, how we need to hear from God. You’ve been promised, we’ve been waiting, welcome Holy Child.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iHjueOK5TM

Oy vay!

Then you know nothing of Mormons. For we preach of Christ … http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/25.26?lang=eng

of course Christians follow the teachings of a man-what the heck do you think is in your Bible anyway?

The point of this strip is a cute little girl realizing that the family celebration is a birthday party.

Keep your anti-Christian, anti-Mormon and anti-cuteness comments to yourselves.

Jesus is the reason for the season otherwise what are we celebrating. Bawana, I believe in God the creator who is the Master physicist,He wrote the laws of physics, He created all of the sciences. Surely if you take a hard look at a theory without proof you’ll see that it is still a theory NOT truth. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL and HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORD JESUS

Ugh! I loved this strip until the last panel. I didn’t think the Patersons were religious. How disappointing to see that Lizzie is being indoctrinated with superstitious drivel.

Awwww . . . That’s so sweet. At least someone remembered the reason for the season.

beware of wolfs in sheeps clothing

@ИOMЯOM said…"happy birthday to Joseph Smith, Jr. as well (born 23 Dec. 1805). "

Unless I missed something, I believe he was simply wishing happy birthday to a man who was born on THIS day in 1805. And yes, I am aware of who Joseph Smith, Jr. was.

December 23rd. Happy Festivus to the rest of us!

You jest, correct?

“I am an exsistential nihilist…”Is nothing sacred now?

Good Job! He is the reason for the season.

Mormons have the right to believe what they are taught. It doesn’t mean that what they are taught is right. It has already been scientifically proven that Native Americans are not related to the Israelites. And Joseph Smith’s writings teach that Jesus is a created being.

From Wikipedia:“The Book of Mormon has a number of original and distinctive doctrinal discussions on subjects such as the fall of Adam and Eve,6 the nature of the Atonement,7 eschatology, redemption from physical and spiritual death,8 and the organization of the latter-day church. The pivotal event of the book is an appearance of Jesus Christ to the Americas shortly after his resurrection.”

This contradicts both the Bible and traditional church teaching. The gold plates “found” 1800 years after Christ claim to be a NEW revelation of prophecy to the Native Americans (believed by Mormons to be descendants of the Israelites). Mormonism teaches pre-mortal life and three degrees of heaven, which contradict the Bible and traditional Christian teaching. The purpose in being born into this world is so that we can become gods, becoming “joint-heirs with Christ” (a misinterpretation of Romans 8:17). Mormonism also excludes parts of the Bible they believe were translated incorrectly. They view traditional Christian churches as apostate; they consider themselves the only true Christian church, restoring Christianity to its original 1st Century form. These are but a few of the distinct differences between Mormonism and traditional Christianity. They may be Christian in the general sense that they believe in a Jesus Christ, but they are not orthodox Christian in their teachings.

Just because someone doesn’t believe as you believe, does not mean that what he believes is not close enough for his salvation. We are told not to judge others, lest we be judged. While what some believe is not what I believe, I am willing to accept them at face value, as many of them are willing to accept me.As far as I am concerned, that is what being a Christian is all about.

OMG!! I am now totally offended, I share a birthday with the father of mormonism. I could have gone my whole life and died in my 80’s with knowing that. Ugh!! I do know about mormons and such, not just what they teach on the surface. But beneath the surface, what they truly believe. What is unfortunate is that not all understand and all know. which is the reason why so many defend it so viciously.

Thank you Lizzie. You put everything in perspective.

I’m fine with people believing what they want to believe, be they Protestants, Catholics, Mormons, Buddhists, Muslims, Hndus, Jews, Bahais or “existential atheists.” It’s a big world and I’m not threatened by any of them.

Absolute certainty when it comes to matters of faith is no more than a stronger version of hope that you’re right. Faith is all about what we DON’T know for sure.

Merry Christmas (eCard)

Whatever your belief, whatever your religion, may I wish you all a happy, peaceful Yule.

And it’s strips like this that are the reason I love Lynn Johnston’s work so much.She shows us as we are, and would like to be.

Beautiful!!! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Happy Birthday Jesus! Read John 3:16

Oh the faith of a child!

Let us set aside our differences during this special time of the year. Peace to all!

“Angels we have heard on high—-Tell us to go out and buy!” Tom Lerher

The child understans better than the adults—He is the reason for the season"

Merry says Thank You for sharing the real meaning of Christmas.

I wish EVERYONE (even atheists, and all non-believers) peace, joy, love, and good wishes in their lives. All people would benefit if that happened—-no matter your individual beliefs. Peace on Earth should be a goal for everyone.

I love how the light in the last few panels is coming from someplace other than the moon. Could she be seeing something in her innocence that all the rest of us miss this time of year?

Thanks lizzie for knowing the real reason for christmas.Merry chirstmas everybody.Please accept the lord in your life if you have not yet,he cares for you even if you don’t believe in him (I KNOW HE IS REAL)

Counting back the years, no 29 years ago Christmas was on Friday, but in "84 Christmas was on Sunday.

Merry Christmas to everyone and Happy Birthday Jesus!

@The J.A.M. They DID run it in Canada, JAM. I saw it in my Toronto paper on Saturday. Multiculturalism hasn’t become THAT oversensitive!!

I love this strip!!! A definite hole in one!

GOD wrote the Bible THROUGH man.

I love this. During Christmas, we focus more on the gifts we got or on seeing family, but when we take the time to remember why we celebrate Christmas, the day becomes all the more special.