Reason For the Season

Netcong parish selling ‘Celebrate Jesus, Merry Christmas’ sweatshirts to keep Christ in Christmas

NETCONG  As Christmas trees and snowmen are put on display at shopping malls across the nation, parishioners at St. Michael’s here are making more than just a fashion statement this Christmas by selling sweatshirts to remind everyone that the reason for the season is Jesus.

During the month of November, for the fifth year at St. Michael’s, parishioners have been coordinating a sale of Christmas sweatshirts — not the ugly sweater variety — but a sweatshirt that states, “Celebrate Jesus, Merry Christmas.”

“Without Jesus there would be no Christmas and we have to remember who we are celebrating,” said Father Adam Muda, pastor. “We should be aware of that and during this Advent season and take the opportunity to reflect on how we can truly celebrate Jesus’ birthday.”

Along with the sale of sweatshirts, an electric sign outside the parish also states “Christmas is all about Jesus” to remind those who drive by what the reason for the season truly is.

Maureen Pajaro, a longtime parishioner who participated in the sweatshirt sale, said, “Christians need to step up to the plate and put Santa and reindeers in the background. We are encouraging people to wear a shirt that simply tells the message because people are forgetting what Christmas is about and that’s the birth of Jesus.”

Even though this was just the sale of sweatshirts, Pajaro believes there is an evangelization component. “I hope people wear them when they go shopping in the malls,” she said.

When so many in the world are now being persecuted for their Christian faith, Pajaro said, “We Christians have been put down so much because everything has to be politically correct. It’s like we almost feel like we no longer have the right to celebrate what we believe. It’s important we remember the true meaning of Christmas — and these sweatshirts send that message.”