Talk About Town: How Do You Feel About Nativity Scenes Displayed Around Hartland?

Every December, the holiday decorations go up around the little village of Hartland with fun light displays on houses and lit up trees downtown.

And driving down the busy stretch of M-59, the Hartland Smilemakers proudly displays their Christmas nativity scene in full view of thousands of drivers who pass by their location on a weekly basis.

This month in Michigan, a Warren man won his court battle to be able to put up a nativity scene on Mound Road. According to Fox 2, it was something his family had done since the 1940s, until being stopped by Macomb County officials in 2008.

The scene will be up by Dec. 15.

These manger scene legal scuffles are some of the latest battles in what many—headed up by national TV station Fox News—have dubbed the "War on Christmas." From the use of Happy Holidays over Merry Christmas, to the end of Christmas trees and manger scenes in many municipalities, some argue that the nation is choosing political correctness over "the reason for the season."

But some cities celebrate the Christian holiday publicly without complaint. Dexter has a nativity scene, as well as Birmingham and Troy, which are set up by area churches. Plymouth has a scene in its downtown every year, but also has a Menorah. Farmington has bypassed one holiday display in favor of a "unity candle."

So Hartland, we want to know: What do you think of local cities and businesses displaying nativity scenes? Do you think there's a War on Christmas?

Tell us in comments.

In this Thursday morning feature, we want to hear your opinions about certain topics making headlines. We'll be looking for your feedback in the comment section weekly. And we want to know what the Talk About Town is in your circles. Email Tatum at tatum.ryan@patch.com and it could be a topic of a future Talk About Town.