Signs Serve as Reminder for Many

REDLANDS>> Those who pass through Redlands are beginning to see signs around town and surrounding cities that say “Happy Birthday Jesus.” With 400 signs that have been distributed by churches in the area, the signs show a cross, a star and the words “Happy Birthday Jesus.” All signs, according to Project Coordinator Don Nydam, have not only been taken for distribution but each participating church has ran out of signs to distribute. One church administrator said the signs were so popular that their church is going to make it a Christmas project next year so every church family can have a sign for their front yard. The story of the signs goes back four years ago when a men’s bible study group in Redlands felt that a lot was being done to take Christ out of Christmas and wanted to make a statement. Together, they came up with the “Happy Birthday Jesus” signs. The project started with twenty signs and this year the bible study group and the Community Christian College in Redlands partnered together to expand the number of signs with an order of 300 signs and a reorder of 100 more after the first 300 were distributed. “The signs have been so well received,” Nydam said. “Both groups are taking a stand to keep Jesus in the season and to honor this very special spiritual season.” Nydam said both groups hope to see this project expand and become a tradition spread throughout the United States as a way of continuing to tell the story of Jesus as the reason for the season.