Featured Christmas Song

This is a Christmas song that I have known for years but that I have never really sat and listened to. Very poetic. Tell me what you think.

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It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth, goodwill to men, from heav'n's all gracious king
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurl
And still their heavenly music floats, O'er all the weary world.
Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing
And ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.

O ye, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow
Look now for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing
O rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing.

For lo the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old
When with the ever circling years shall come the time foretold
When new heaven and earth shall own the prince of peace their King
And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.

Silent Night, Offensive, Judgmental, and Hypocritical Night

This piece was published in the Letters to the Editor section of the West Valley View on Tuesday, December 7, 2004.

To the Editor:

Each time the wonderful season of Christmas approaches, I get a feeling of child-like excitement and anticipation for the upcoming events and celebrations that are part of this Holiday season.

Unfortunately, these feelings of joy are occasionally diminished when I hear of court cases about organizations like the ACLU fighting to have nativity scenes removed from public view, or to have traditional Christmas carols removed from public school programs because they are offensive to some.

The thing that perplexes me most about this anti-Christmas litigation is that I cannot understand why the Christian traditions of holiday celebration should be offensive to anyone. To be quite honest, I really can't see how main-line Christianity in general is so offensive.

I'm sure this last statement will earn me many knee-jerk responses from people who claim that Christian leaders routinely call for the killing of gays, or the bombing of abortion clinics. This sort of argument is, sadly, a typical response from many people. Unfortunately, this overly-frenzied, intellectually dishonest approach does not hold water because the vast majority of main-line Christians outright condemn this sort of behavior -- especially if it comes from one who tries to speak in the name of Christianity.

I guess what bothers me most is that I have yet to hear reasonable, clear-headed examples of how Christianity has caused any sort of decay or instability in American life. What makes this particular faith so offensive to so many people? How can "Silent Night" cause some to get into the Christmas spirit and yet cause others to gnash their teeth in agony?

Michael Gray
Avondale

Here are two of the responses to the above letter. Only the first one was published in the newspaper. The other on was only to be found online. Anyway, hope you enjoy!

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"Christmas has been hijacked"

To the Editor:

Michael Gray’s letter to the editor was right on; however, he missed one very important point. There would be no secular or religious celebration of Christmas if the Christians weren’t celebrating the birth of Christ. That is really why it is so ridiculous that people get offended by the religious holiday that is Christmas. If anyone should be offended, it should be the Christians.

I am regularly offended by the offense of those who find the religious aspect of Christmas so deplorable. Without the celebration of Christ’s birth, secularists could not enjoy Santa, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman or even have a federal holiday because no one would have even heard of Christmas.

Retailers have largely gone secular as well, which I find laughable since it’s the Christian that helps put them in the black every year.

I personally believe it would be great if all the Christians in America organized one Christmas season and sent to our churches or favorite charities all the money we were going to spend on gifts. I think retailers would soon start singing a different tune, maybe even “Away in the Manger” or “Angels We Have Heard On High.”

It’s OK with me if people celebrate Christmas only in the secular manner or not at all, but don’t be offended or try to stop the religious celebration. All Christians are asking for is respect for what the holiday is really about. If it is really all that offensive to the secularists, then I’m for getting rid of the federal holiday, days off from school, Christmas parties, Christmas bonuses, etc. and make it strictly a religious holiday celebrated only by those who believe. That doesn’t sound too fun, but neither is having a religious holiday hijacked by the secularists.

Heather Harris
Tolleson

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"What about the Wiccans?"

To the Editor:

After reading Michael Gray’s letter (Dec. 7), I thought I’d respond and explain why so many find certain aspects of Christianity offensive.

First off, many of us non-Christians don’t understand why Christians feel this need to have their faith front and center in all things. It’s your way or the highway it seems when in reality, this country is made of millions of people of many cultures and beliefs that are not the same as yours. (Even the Christian denominations don’t agree with each other.)

I no more want a Christian display at my local courthouse or school than you want a Wiccan or perhaps Islamic display there.

Christians are free to worship, sing “Silent Night” and set up nativity scenes in your homes, meeting halls and churches. It’s ridiculous to claim the ACLU’s tireless efforts to ensure the separation of church (be it Christian, Muslim, Hindu or Jew) and state in any way lessens a Christian’s ability to celebrate Christmas. Parks are for recreation, courthouses for legal matters and schools for learning — none of these places are for worship. All you have to do is look to the Middle East to see the very real dangers of theocracies.

I’m also astounded that Gray claims that Christianity has never caused any instability in this country. Maybe he missed the last election. You will see that for most of this country’s history, Christianity has and continues to divide us on many issues — the Salem witch trials, civil rights, integration of schools and the military, interracial marriages, women’s rights and currently marriage. (It’s a bit disingenuous to claim you are defending marriage from gays when in fact, Christians have a higher divorce rate than other groups in this country!)

Elizabeth Helm
Avondale

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Silly Wicans, Christmas is for Christians!