I got an invite to our home learners' Christmas/Solstice party today. My first reaction was rather negative. I thought about last year's gathering- how all the words of my favourite carols were changed to lyrics about harvest, solstice, and snow. I felt sad and empty listening to that sing-a-long. Why change the lyrics? If you don't like the religious carols, just don't sing those ones! But to change Silent Night and Away in a Manger to Silent Solstice and Away in a Harvest- that is just blatant intolerance and prejudice.
So, this year instead of not going, we will bring Christ to the CHRISTmas party. Last year a pastor's family got up and sang beautiful harmony to an old carol. If all of us who feel strongly about this get up and do a little something, the event won't be so one sided. Even though the home learner's group is predominantly non religious, (we live in an area where New Age is dominant- Wicca, Buddhism, other Eastern religions,etc mixed together), if the children present something, everyone is wonderfully encouraging and supportive. So, tomorrow I will be asking my kids what they would like to present. I have to be honest and say that I don't think I will be able to choke out "Silent Solstice" again. Maybe I will hit the food table during that segment.
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ps- I just went over to Tricia's and saw this reminder of the real meaning of Christmas. Go check it out (after you leave me a fabulous comment).
6 comments:
This is the scripture that came to my mind as soon as I read your post... I hate the fact that people want to take the Christ out of Christmas but we are in the world to testify of Him.... You are a light to the world without speaking a word....... I love the statement that you made... You will be taking Christ to the Christmas party..... You go girl
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
you will be the light in that house....
Merry Christmas
Good idea, I'll see if I can convince my boys to do something too! Maybe we could all form a choir?
sounds good Kathleen- as long as I don't have to hit the high note in O Holy Night. That is just BAD when someone gets that wrong!
I've never heard of such a blatant attempt at changing the CHRISTmas songs. Ever! Wow! So why is the area you live in so full of eastern religions?
Wow.
That just makes me feel sad. I think you are doing a great thing. Sometimes as Christians we hide from things that make us uncomfortable. (Yeah, talking to myself here)
But if we hide how will they see Christ?
Also, if every religion gets to have it's moment, under the auspices of religious tolerance, and we Christians are not present, they will not hear the Truth.
Good for you for going!
You posted on my new blog the other day. Not sure the correct mode for replying. :-) Thanks for visiting me though! I have lots of family in BC - mainly Vancouver area.
My kids are: girl - 9-1/2, girl - 6-1/2, boy - 4, boy - 20 months.
Visit me again! :-)
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