Why I do not segregate myself from the Christmas tradition
I grew up on these sorts of holiday classics.
My Dad is atheist. But he never censored my exposure to Christianity and Christian-themed stories. Growing up, we celebrated the AMERICAN TRADITION of celebrating Christmas and Easter and Thanksgiving. We might not have said grace around the dinner table; but if we were invited guests during Thanksgiving, we bowed our heads and said grace. No one "trained" or "taught" me how to do it. I just followed along and did it; and didn't feel "weird" about it or somehow "left out", "deprived", or "excluded" (although I do remember being around 6, over at a friend's house, and he ridiculing me for not knowing more about Jesus; if I were seriously traumatized by that, you'd think I would have grown up to become an ACLU lawyer rather than a staunch defender of the Judeo-Christian heritage of our country). This is because I wasn't sheltered from Christianity. Familiarity breeds the opposite of intolerance and fear. Christmas and Easter- even if it's only in their secularist expression, are as much a part of my history and culture as it is for a Christian American's heritage and cultural upbringing.
How ridiculous would that be for the hosts to not say grace at the table, in deference to political correctness in not assuming our religion? Consideration has its place; but so, too, does consideration by the guests for the hosts.
Anyway, how impoverished would we be if a movie like "Miracle on 34th Street" had never been made, for fear of excluding Americans who choose not to celebrate Christmas?
The Little Drummer Boy was a yearly part of my childhood. It was so sad; yet so beautiful. And I learned a bit about baby Jesus in the process of being entertained, and digging a really cool song.
Pretty dark, for being aimed at kids- thankfully! In comparison to what kids in other parts of the world are exposed to, America's children live dangerously sheltered.
Labels: ACLU, Christianity, Christmas, movie classic, political cartoons, religion, War on Christmas, YouTube
posted by The WordSmith from Nantucket at 12/22/2007 08:36:00 PM
5 Comments:
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Gosh Word, those programs meant so much to me when I was a child. I don't know what that type of animation it is called but all the shows I remember in that format I loved so much. There was another one that I loved too, it was Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and it was narrated by and had songs by Burl Ives. I just recently watched the one about Jack Frost and it brought a lot memories back too.
I pulled away from my Christian upbringing in my late teens into my early 30's. I then went back to it because there was a big, big hole in my heart and I found believing in Christ filled that which I had been missing for all those years.
You have to take for granted I'm not the best behaved Christian there ever was. I keep trying to do better. I find that I need Christ just to keep me out of the trouble I always get into. I would do so much better if I would only let him lead the way and not me.
I don't know what that type of animation it is called
Jennifer,
I've heard them referred to as "claymations".
Maybe I just don't watch enough tv, but I don't think they show these types of shows anymore. They were yearly staples. I can't say the decision is due to some bias, though. It's probably just the nature of how much programming is available these days.
I just watched "Wizard of Oz" on TNT last night. I wondered how many more times I might see it, before I die? Could that have been the last time I ever see it? It's a great movie, but not something that sits on my mind to seek out.
And you are a fine Christian, in my estimation.
I missed this when you posted it.
j_g,
I pulled away from my Christian upbringing in my late teens into my early 30's. I then went back to it because there was a big, big hole in my heart and I found believing in Christ filled that which I had been missing for all those years.
Boy oh boy, you could be talking about me, because that's exactly my story too.
WordSmith,
I hated the Little Drummer Boy (it must be a guy show), but I loved Rudolph. My absolute favorite wasn't claymation. It was Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, but they stopped showing it after all the claymation shows came out. I have Magoo's Carol on DVD now. Love it!!!
Bet you guys haven't seen a claymation like this one.
That's like bringing home an mp3 player for your child, only to find it's uploaded with porn.
Only difference, is this one's funny.
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