“ This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands
of cloth and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12
Music
is a meaningful part of our Christmas celebration. Our Christmas memories often
include music. When I began teaching, I
taught in the same rural school the first three years. The Christmas program
highlighted our December activities.
The
first year, Kathy, a Kindergarten student sang, “All I Want for Christmas is My
Two Front Teeth.” Yes, Kathy was missing her two front teeth. The next Christmas when Kathy was in first
grade, she sang, “I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas.” Christmas songs bring back holiday school
memories.
The
church Christmas program/worship brings memories as well. “Away in a Manger” sung by the youngest
children was a given. My research
indicates that “Away in a Manger” was long claimed to be the work of German
religious reformer Martin Luther. First published in the late nineteenth
century, the carol is now thought to be wholly American in origin. An Internet search questions if this carol
is Biblical. It concludes that baby
Jesus was born in a manger but other details such as cattle or other animals
being present may not be.
A
simple Christmas song that I have taught young children reminds of why we
celebrate Christmas.
Christmas is Jesus’ birthday.
That’s why we’re happy,
That’s why we say,
Christmas is Jesus’ birthday.
Children
also enjoy “Piggyback” songs – new songs sung to the tunes of childhood
favorites. One that I changed slightly,
is sung to “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”
“Jesus
Was Born”
Jesus was born on Christmas Day,
Christmas Day, Christmas Day.
Jesus was born on Christmas Day,
God’s gift of love to us.
What
Christmas/holiday songs bring back memories for you? We hope some songs bring meaning to the
Advent and Christmas season.
Prayer:
Dear God, it is easy for us to focus on the glitz and glitter of
Christmas. Help us to remember why we
celebrate Christmas and follow your guidance as we prepare ourselves during
Advent. Amen.
Lois
Poppe
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