When during its first half-hour this Christmas morning "Today" moved to a conversation between Matt Lauer and Pastor Rick Warren, I braced myself. Don't tell me, I thought, they're going to get into the invitation Pres.-elect Obama extended him to give the invocation at the Inauguration, and the reaction of some gay-rights groups. Well, surprise! They didn't: not in word or implication. Warren appeared strictly in his role as pastor, and the conversation focused exclusively on the meaning of the day.
The video clip is of the portion of the conversation in which Warren describes the origin and practice of a Warren family tradition of holding a birthday party for Jesus on Christmas Day.
As you see, the segment ended with a friendly handshake between the two. In the coming year, there'll be plenty of time for politics. Kudos to "Today" and Lauer for taking a hiatus in the spirit of the day.





















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Mark, to my surprise as
Thu, 12/25/2008 - 08:27 ET by TD in FLMark, to my surprise as well, NBC of all networks was focusing on Christmas, and in a positive way. I briefly watched GMA and turned it when I realized they were highlighting Santa over the meaning of Christmas... the icing on the cake was when Melissa Etheridge performed with an Obama-change sticker on her guitar strap. Couldn't find the remote fast enough after that. ABC had some crap on at that time too. So, props to NBC for stepping up to the plate today.
Yikes! I think I stopped
Thu, 12/25/2008 - 08:39 ET by Mark FinkelsteinYikes! I think I stopped recording GMA this morning before Etheridge came on, but will see if I can find it. Thanks for mentioning.
There is a God
Thu, 12/25/2008 - 10:39 ET by Rovin"NBC of all networks was focusing on Christmas, and in a positive way"
Next we'll hear the liberals screaming Jesus is taking over the airwaves. While it is surprising that NBC is recognizing the true meaning of Christmas, I must skeptically say it's still early in the day.
Merry Christmas to all here at Newsbusters.
Rovin
Where in the New Testament are the "Christmas" ...
Thu, 12/25/2008 - 10:30 ET by LJSALAZAR... observation instructions? I just finished reading through my New Testament and could not find any holy days we are instructed to observe as Christians except the 1st day of the week.
→ LJ
Thu, 12/25/2008 - 10:33 ET by Cool ArrowYou are right. There is no command to observe Christmas.
All I want is the right to celebrate it if I wish without somebody making a joke of it.
why right next
Thu, 12/25/2008 - 11:00 ET by botgto the command to have central heat and air conditioning in our houses.
permissive will and yet "Rejoice and again I say rejoice" while "In ALL your ways acknowledge Him"
----- Radical Liberal
→ Flip him a fish
Thu, 12/25/2008 - 10:55 ET by Cool ArrowThis is like thanking daddy for not getting drunk and slapping mom around.
There are 52 weeks in a year and just as many Saturday nights. Lauer will be back to his metrosexual self Monday, if not sooner.
Taped before Rev Warren tapped by the Big O-Bob to give prayer
Thu, 12/25/2008 - 11:50 ET by PawpawNPawpawN I would suspect that this was taped before Rev Warren tapped by the Big O-Bob to give prayer. Most all of the show seemed taped this morning. Only the little one who tries to look like Katie Couric seemed to be live! So my guess is that MATTIE didn't even know about the inagural prayer invite when they taped the session. Any way we can find out?
Yeah....kudos???
Fri, 12/26/2008 - 10:50 ET by VT Con Manfor Matt actually DOING what a news reader is suppose to do ?!?!
Thanks alot Matty.....