Faith

Jesse Jackson’s Odd Christmas Comments: ‘Christmas Should Be a Poor People’s Holy Day’

Jesse Jackson Issues Odd Christmas Address

Jesse Jackson isn’t a stranger to gaining attention for uttering bizarre comments and confusing platitudes. The reverend, who has also made two runs for the American presidency, served as President Bill Clinton’s spiritual adviser, and made a name for himself as a human rights activist, is gaining attention for some very odd comments he made about Christmas.

On the Rainbow PUSH Saturday Morning Forum this weekend, Jackson decided to take on “non-christian” merchants who he says have tried — in the past — to “lure” people into “Santa Claus’ birthday party.” Below, find the full text of his message (via Newsbusters):

This (Christmas) is a holy day for the poor, not a holiday for the merchants.  I once heard some people that I know say that when Christmas Eve is over, they have midnight services in the back of their shops.  These were non-Christian people I was, they say we, say every December 24th around midnight we have, we close our shops and we’re not Christian but we start singing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” We use Jesus to lure you into Santa Claus’s birthday party and unless you have the holiday spirit, which is his songs, his wine, and his stuff you’re not welcome at the party of the man whose party it is.  This is, Christmas should be a poor people’s holy day.

This portion of his address, aside from being curious, is also hard to decipher. When he talks about the holiday being for the poor, one wonders if he means the “physical” or the “spiritual” poor. But as he continues, it becomes clear that he’s referencing the former.

Jackson claims that non-Christian merchants hold “services” in the back of their stores (or, at least, he‘s been told they’ve done so in the past). Apparently, this is done in an effort to trick patrons into purchasing items (this is only a theory, of course, as his words aren’t coherent enough to derive a definitive meaning).

Jesse Jackson Issues Odd Christmas Address

And the portion about holiday spirit, wine and “his songs” is also curious. So, Santa has wine, songs and “holiday spirit?” Or is it Jesus he’s talking about? Again — unclear.

Perhaps the tone Jackson was attempting to strike was one that stood firmly opposed to greedy businesspeople (but, again, only a theory). As you may recall, the reverend has been very vocal about the Occupy Wall, as he has compared it to the civil rights movement and spoken out in incessant support.

He goes on in his address to say that Jesus was “born under the cloud of who is his Daddy?” This, of course, is in reference to the fact that many people likely didn‘t believe Mary’s story about how her pregnancy came to be.

Overall, Jackson’s words are a collective head-scratcher, especially the tail end of the block text seen above: “This is, Christmas should be a poor people’s holy day.” How the holiday being for the poor meshes with non-Christian merchants holding services in their stores is beyond me, but, in Jackson’s mind, these themes somehow connect.

You can listen to his address here.

 

Comments (180)

  • Tony
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:41am

    I fear the most (ir) reverend will hear the words, “depart from me, I never knew you”. Jackson’s life and deeds do not show fruits of the spirit but appear even lowly for a fallen world. Claiming to be a preacher makes the millstone twice as heavy. And Senior is leading Junior to be with him for all eternity. Sad indeed. Even these two we are to pray that they see the “Light” before it is too late.

    Report Post »  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 11:33am

      Even Christmas is about class warfare with these libturds….. Is that all they think about, envy, jealousy, money……

      Report Post »  
  • kimberlyjesus
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:40am

    This will be everyone’s last christmas to celebrate! christmas is not in the bible and should not be celebrated. Jesus and God are to be celebrated everyday! We were given the gift of life to serve them and not ourselves! So there will be no more argueing next year when everyone will tremble with fear when GOD speaks!

    Report Post »  
    • GUNNSUP
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:51am

      The true meaning of Christmas has taken a back seat to the commercialized marketing schemes to suck us into spending money on mostly useless items for our loved ones & friends. They have been doing this so long its as if you should feel guilty if you don’t go out and spend hundreds & thousands of $$ trying to out do others with the biggest, the best, the most expensive gifts there are. Especially the car advertisments. The”______ Winter or Christmas Event”. So lets just go out & put ourselves in more debt to prove that you are a big spender. Keep Christ in Christmas! BTW Jackson is a real horses ass….

      Report Post » GUNNSUP  
    • Katie822
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 4:21pm

      Stop trolling Kimberly.

      Report Post » Katie822  
    • Amos37
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 6:43pm

      That’s right, keep constantine in christmass.

      Report Post »  
  • RodUSA
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:40am

    I know…maybe Christmas should be a Christian holiday. Why does this clown still have any credibility after he had an affair, fathered a child from that affair and he had his Rainbow Coalition pay everyone off. I’m not judging, I’m just saying he had lost his “Holier than Thou ” title.

    Report Post »  
  • Mainer forever
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:39am

    “loud mouth oompa loompa sharpton.”…..now THAT is Funny!!! (Ommpa looma sharpton)!!

    Report Post » Mainer forever  
  • Mainer forever
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:36am

    “that loud mouth oompa loompa sharpton”…..now THAT is Funnny!!! (oompa loompa sharpton)!!

    Report Post » Mainer forever  
  • barber2
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:32am

    Anyone know what school the Rev. Jackson attended to get his religious education and background ? Maybe this particular sermon was an example of “speaking in tongues ” as it sure doesn’t make much sense in English….

    Report Post »  
    • TheLeftMadeMeRight
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:42am

      No, but I’m betting in the end days fire will shoot from his eyes, ears and mouth as he melts like the witch of the west. Al Sharpton too.

      Report Post » TheLeftMadeMeRight  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:58am

      Jesse Jackson attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University. He then attended Chicago Theological Seminary, United Church of Christ.

      Chicago Theological is known for especially being friendly to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender concerns and is listed as an officially “Open and Affirming” institution of the United Church of Christ by the UCC Coalition for GLBT Concerns.

      Social justice has a significant presence at CTS and the United Church of Christ.

      Since I pay federal and state income tax, I guess Christmas is not a holy day for me.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • sawbuck
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:31am

    False prophet and let’s not forget to mention memory loss.
    Last time I checked , “the poor” he’s talling about” get a christmas present ,
    on the first of every month.

    Report Post » sawbuck  
  • potica69
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:27am

    He be stoopid!

    Report Post »  
    • Mess23
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:35am

      And the people who believe this crap are stoopid two… He is nothing but an extortionist…

      Report Post »  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:26am

    “Ah sahy thaht iht shouhld bhe ah rhich persohns holodhay.”

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
    • sawbuck
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:38am

      @ulyssesp
      I gona haff ta brush up ona mah ebonics .

      Report Post » sawbuck  
  • freedomofspeech
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:24am

    Say what?????? my professional observation: check up from the neck up.

    Report Post »  
  • Mainer forever
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:20am

    Is this guy for reals? Perhaps he has a brain tumor.

    Report Post » Mainer forever  
    • I.Gaspar
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:36am

      Now THAT would be a good gift…

      Report Post »  
    • Maji
      Posted on December 6, 2011 at 12:57am

      Looks like a Wine’O!
      Talks like a fool!
      Is an Idiot for a fact!

      Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:17am

    Christ was a gift to all men Jesse, it’s pretty obvious that the Rev. title you use is not legitimate.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • honestynow
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:22am

      Bingo!

      Report Post »  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:24am

      When it comes to the poor, you‘re supposed to act like it’s Christmas everyday. I’m sure most of us fall miserably short of that.

      There’s no better price than free. Free is real value.

      When you give, you negate the need for money. The love of money is the root of evil. Giving is the real currency, and when you give, you store up your riches in heaven, and your heart will be there also.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • JLGunner
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:28am

      He was a sprirtual advisor for Clinton. What does that tell you?

      Report Post » JLGunner  
  • lel2007
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:15am

    CHRISTMAS a Poor People’s Holy Day ?? ABSOLUTELY NOT ! If these “poor” people can’t financially contribute to Black Friday they have no business whatever partaking in the Christmas celebration of retail financial success. We’ve got to find a way to hide these poor people, at least during the holiday seasons. They just ruin it from us rich folks. Us Whites gotta find a better way to hold those black men down too.

    Report Post » lel2007  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:14am

    What an idiot; clearly he is not aware of that fact. The son is also getting a little news too. Both are creeps.

    Report Post »  
  • JLGunner
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:13am

    He’s a lengend in his own mind. What a dunderhead, and to think, people in the black community support this idiot. Reverand of no church and fathering illigitimate kids. What a great role model.

    Report Post » JLGunner  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:24am

      That is why jesse questions who Jesus’s daddy is; so he can claim to be ‘holy’ with his ba$tard children

      Report Post » Stoic one  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:13am

    Is he drinking or smoking something? He never sounds normal, but he’s even loopier than usual. And why do we care what this 70′s leftover says. You know how it get’s with leftovers, no need to explain. If he can‘ tell the difference between ows and the civil right’s movement he really needs a brain scan, and drug testing because something is not right. Poor Jesse, he just keeps trying to be relevant, but it’s not going to happen.

    Report Post »  
  • Sibyl
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:12am

    TYPO in the Title – Comments has two Ms.

    Report Post »  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:11am

    Jesse Jackass – fully “medicated”.

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
    • Anti_Spock
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:18am

      “This (Christmas) is a holy day for the poor, not a holiday for the merchants.“ ”Christmas should be a poor people’s holy day.”

      Oh great. Now Christmas is a class issue. Hey knucklehead Jesse, how is it poor people can afford to buy anything from the “evil” merchant? Can you say “government welfare?” Stop giving them christmas money, and I’m sure they will skip the merchant in favor of your nativity scene.

      Report Post » Anti_Spock  
  • Lordchamp
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:10am

    He is a true idiot and a good example of what it’s like to be brain dead and still walking around.

    Report Post »  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:09am

    Santa has wine? Really?? Dang, I’m asking for a case of Chardonnay, a case of Syrah, and one of Cabernet!

    Report Post » biohazard23  
  • M24
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:09am

    Shut Up You Worthless Racist Trouble Maker You Are A Disgrace To your Self And Everybody Around You ,Just Go Away

    Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:08am

    Jackson is just a poverty pimp,shaking down businesses for years and he sounds like he’s suffering from dementia with his ramblings.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • djeffcoat
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:08am

    Who gives a flip what this moron says?

    Report Post »  
  • Ironeagle
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:05am

    Jesse J = Corrupt, race & class-baiting, racist, bigot. Him and Al Sharpton will occupy an extra hot place in hell for all the evil they have perpetrated.

    Report Post » Ironeagle  
    • txn4justice
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:44am

      I reckon that you are right IronEagle. I would want to be them and explain their BS to Jesus. They divide, they don’t unite.

      Report Post »  
    • utterlyamazing
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:44am

      Hell doesn’t want them!! Satan doesn’t like competition..

      Report Post »  
  • TXPilot
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:04am

    Jesse Jackson is a very good example of how indulging in repeating and outrageous hypocrisy rots the brain.

    Report Post » TXPilot  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In