To some people, rock ’n’ roll is the work of the devil. It’s demonic, evil, synonymous with a decadent lifestyle and stands in opposition to godliness and religion.
Those observers might be surprised to learn about a Wilkes-Barre-based outreach dedicated to “keeping Christ in Christmas,” because some prominent rock musicians are at the core of this year’s campaign.
The initiative, started at the First Baptist Church by the Rev. Shawn Walker, is geared toward reminding people that there would be no Christmas without Jesus Christ, and two people involved with the campaign are Chad Szeliga or Breaking Benjamin and Janet Rains, who fronts the band M80.
“What I like about the campaign is they are not trying to edge Santa out of the picture,” said Rains, who noted that some religious groups don’t like the idea of children believing in Santa Claus. “It started with the poster, and Chad was way into it, because it’s nice to I guess reach an audience that maybe most religious folks wouldn’t.”
Rains and Szeliga, whom Rains recruited, are helping promote the venture by posing for posters and cards reminding people to “keep Christ in Christmas”, which they and other volunteers will hand out. Szeliga, Rains and other local musicians will be promoting the campaign in the Wilkes-Barre Christmas Parade this Saturday. They’ll be riding on an antique fire engine provided by Jaden’s Auto Works in Plains Twp.
“At the parade there are gonna be sort of like postcards or fliers with a picture of me, Santa, Pastor Shawn Walker and Chad,” Rains explained. “And on the top, it says ‘Jesus Rocks,’ so the message will be passed out that Santa is a part of Christmas, but just to remind people that Christmas is about Christ’s birth.”
Rains said that about 15 years ago, when she was living in Los Angeles, she reached a spiritual crossroads. She had become reliant — almost addicted — on horoscopes, tarot cards and other psychic aspects. Rains says her mother was not fond of any of this, but she didn’t disown her, like some religious family members in a similar situation might.
“One night I prayed and said, ‘God, if you really don’t like this astrology business that I’m involved with, I’m going to open up the Bible, and let me open up to a verse that says something about it, then I will know that you are directly speaking to me.’
“I prayed and opened the Bible to a verse that actually said, ‘Any reading of the stars, mediums and any forms of divination is an abomination in my sight and I will spit you from my mouth.’ I closed that book and had a bonfire, burned all my cards and never read a horoscope again.”
Rains, with her long, red braided her and her job of playing in a popular regional cover band might not scream “Christian” to most people, but she’s more than happy with that. And while she won’t preach from the stage, she is always open to discussing her faith with people at her shows in between sets or afterwards.
“I have announced (that I’m Christian) at shows because I don’t hide the fact that I’m Christian and I don’t look like a typical Christian,” she said, “and I think even Christians look at me weird. But that’s OK.
“Look at the guy (formerly) with Korn (Brian “Head Welch), he almost looks like Marilyn Manson and Jesus had a baby,” she added, laughing. “He scared me. I’ve always been around that atmosphere, and I already made my own choices. Even Jesus hung out with the dregs of society.”
Rains, who also gathered some local rock musicians to serve the annual pre-Thanksgiving dinner last week at First Baptist Church, said next year there might even be a local concert tied in with the “keep Christ in Christmas” venture.
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