In keeping with its role as an unofficial Catholic news outlet, Fox News not only presented part of the Pope's Christmas address (Not his Christmas message in which he said that gay marriage "will destroy the essence of human nature) and two, count em, segments with the one true Fox priest Fr. Jonathan Morris. Yesterday, Morris talked about how, after his presence caused an agitated hospital patient to tear out his IV's, he performed a Christmas miracle when the man calmed down and led a prayer, for Morris and hospital staff, invoking Jesus' name - for Morris, the "true" meaning of Christmas. (Two more miracles and lil Johnny boy will be saint material!) Today, Morris was back on Fox & Friends (One of Three Appearances) to provide his Christmas message which was still mostly about Fr. Morris!
After playing 1940's movie "Tiny Tim" saying "God bless us everyone," Clayton Morris said that "it's lines like that that make you remember the true meaning of Christmas." Ainsley Earhardt introduced Fr. Morris as "our Fox News religion correspondent." (Hmmm, according to his Fox bio, he's a "contributor." Thought Lauren Green is the official Fox religious "correspondent" but good to know that the "fair & balanced" news network has, as its only clergy "correspondent" a Catholic priest...)
The gang, including the replacement for Dave Briggs, who has gone on to greener pastures, joked about Morris being tired after doing midnight mass. The chyron, under Ainsley's very shapely and very Christian legs, read "Reason for the Season, Teaching the True Meaning of Christmas." Clayton Morris cited the Pope's message about needing to "slow down and reflect" and "allow God into our lives." (The Pope talked, among many things, about the need for Israeli/Palestinian negotiations and taking care of the poor)
Fr. Morris said that the message isn't just for Catholics and Christians but for those who believe in a higher power who has a "plan and a mission for our lives." (Screw U athiests). He preached about how we need to make time for God. Rather than talk about how how Christmas should be a time to reach out to those in need, Fr. Morris preached about how Christmas is about "redemption." He spoke about how the hurricane and the Newtown shootings made Christmas a little more difficult for him this year but then added "imagine how difficult it was for Mary and Joseph, things weren't perfect." (So you've lost your home or your child, but Mary and Joseph had it worse!) Fr. Morris preached that those who are alone or are sick, might be able to connect to God "better than the rest of us."
While Fox is supposed to be a secular network, it, in its sidebar titled "Christmas Traditions" it encouraged viewers to "pray in front of the Nativity scene before opening gifts;" "say a prayer before your Christmas meal;" "share the ways you've been blessed by others;" "reach out to someone in need."
Fr. Morris then described his boyhood Christmas tradition of praying in front of the Nativity set and how his family had guests who "didn't quite fit." Briggs replacement, weather dude Rick Reichmuth remarked about the "great lessons" taught by Fr. Morris who joked that Rick "doesn't quite fit." Everybody laughed.
God bless us everyone?
I’m a member of The Second Profession (or TSP aka Those Scolding Priests); who worketh not, who produce nothing and from whose loins a new generation springeth not (well, not intentionally), yet I am to be addressed as “Father” and as such I Lord it over the workers of the community, make them pay a donation to keep my standard of living and collect their confessions to humble them mightily. Follow these rules and ye shall be blessed! Otherwise you’re damned to Hell. My sword cuts both ways and it cares not who it slays or who it merely represses.