School's Christmas programs shouldn't avoid celebrations of Christ

Editor:

What is Christmas? According to the opening sentence of my 1959 World Book Encyclopedia, "Christmas is celebrated in Christian countries as the birthday of Christ." Also, my 1945 Webster's Students Dictionary defines Christmas as "A church festival commemorating the birth of Christ."

Simply put, Christmas is about Jesus Christ, even today. Hence, if it's not about Jesus, it's not truly Christmas. Satan knows this and is trying his best to remove Christ from the season, and from society altogether.

Notwithstanding, we are without excuse, for Jesus Christ declared, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32 and 33).

Sobering words, especially when you consider that the Christ-child is not mentioned once in a list of songs chosen for a particular Columbia County school Christmas program. Isn't this teaching our children to refrain from confessing Christ publicly (before men)?

Listen: There is no eternal value in a so-called education that prevents American school children from singing wonderful Christmas carols such as Silent Night, Away in a Manger and Joy to the World. Furthermore, if truth is not allowed in the school house, then it is not an education; it is a deception.

My Christmas prayer is that our Columbia County school teachers will be filled with enough faith and courage to confess Jesus Christ as the reason for the season. Don't be scared of offending Uncle Sam or the false prophet Mohammed. Teach the truth.

This truth can be found in any old dictionary. Or better yet, pull out your Bible and read St. Luke 2:11,12: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

Yes, Virginia, Christmas is really about our Lord Jesus Christ. God the Father is the giver and God the Son is the gift. This is the truth - and our only hope.

P.K. Fitzgerald

Harlem