Thanks for sharing that, Yogi.
I couldn't agree more, as I have much same fond memories. The irony is that I don't believe kids thought at all of the religious significance of Christmas carols. They were beautiful, nostalgic, comforting songs of good will and peace and pretty hard to take offense at unless you are really looking to pick a fight. It is the adults who study the words and find "Holy", or "Jesus", or "Bethlehem", and throw a fit. Heck, a lot of this is just simply historical stuff, and not propaganda intended to convert someone. I don't think most kids, then or now, think about the religious significance of Christmas itself. It is mostly a time when good feelings and joyousness seem to be all around, it is a time to exchange gifts, and, best of all, it is vacation from school! That's the way I always thought of it, and I think that most kids are the same.
I think it is the parents who raise children's consciousness to see some harm, offense, and "marginalization" in such celebration ... which is ironic, since the most basic message of Christmas is, "Peace on earth and good will to all."
JC |
