As the fake snow begins to melt on the original live nativity scene, all is not well in Christendom. The sheep still need tending and the cattle need lowing and the wise men have been forewarned to forget the star and high tail it out of Dodge to dodge Herod’s evil plot to slaughter the babies in Bethlehem. Threatened by the possibility of a political rival, King Herod’s rage turns into a tizzy. He becomes an imperial maniac who feels like this whole Christmas drama about another king being born in his domain was coming […]
Madonna and Child
I have problems with the US Post Office this time of year, and it’s not just the long lines. It’s some of those stamps that make me question the big picture. Fundamentally, I believe in the First Amendment in our country’s Constitution which states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…”. The separation of church and state. I happen to be a Christian who lives in this country, but this nation does not ‑‑ and should not ‑‑ have to give any allegiance to my form of faith. So why put a picture of Mary […]
Carols in a Jail
Our children’s choir went to sing in the city jail on the Sunday prior to Christmas one year. I remember it so well and can almost picture that large room holding three layers of cells on three walls. We walked in through the jailer’s office, down the wooden steps. The place was rather dark and dank with some unpleasant smells beyond my olfactory experience at that time. We stood on the rather wet concrete floor, all dressed in our white robes with red bows. And we were all afraid of the unknown. The whole place was lighted by a huge […]
The Singing Christmas Tree
When I was a mere child, the Canton Presbyterians prided themselves on their music programs for the children of the church. Beginning as Cherubs in the singing Christmas tree, we climbed our way through the musical scales to fortissimo in the Junior Choir, led and conducted by our only bachelor preacher, Dr. Charles R. McCain. Doc also played the piano while forcing our small voices to come forth with strange sounds called new hymns. Others had taught us the great old songs for kids like “Climb, Climb Up Sunshine Mountain,” “Jesus Loves Me,” and “If […]
Minding Your O’s
As Christmas looms larger on our horizons, we might discover some childhood urge to behave or improve our attitudes. When I was a kid, we took seriously the musical admonition warning us to “…watch out, you better not cry…you better not pout, ‘cause I’m telling you why…” Santa Clause, etc. Legends abounded about “ashes and switches and bow-legged britches.” And the big boy down the street who wrote dirty words on the sidewalk, put away his chalk come early December. We all began to faithfully mind our parents and our manners during that season. It […]