Christmas Correct
Ray, Mother, and I attended a beautiful Christmas concert on Saturday night performed by a homeschool chorus and a homeschool handbell choir. Afterwards, Ray and I chatted with the director of the program. She homeschooled back in the days when were homeschooling and since then she has continued to direct a wonderful learning center where homeschooled children can participate in the arts. Many homeschool graduates teach there. Our friend told us that the whole endeavor would be worth it if it only provided a good place for those students to teach, but that, of course, God does much more with it than that. It blesses so many children and families.
As we chatted, she told us about a city-wide, Christ-centered celebration in nearby Cookeville that would be held last night. She believed that the inspiration for the evening came from the mayor. Ray and I decided we would go to that, too. With our Christmas English country dance ball on Friday night and . . .
. . . the Gainesboro Christmas parade and merchants open house and the homeschool concert on Saturday night, we celebrated Christmas off and on all weekend.
Last night was a great encouragement for me, and I believe it will be for you, too. Thousands of people gathered around a giant Christmas tree in a downtown park. We began with a soloist singing the National Anthem while we gazed at a giant American flag at half mast, which made for a bittersweet and thought-provoking beginning to the evening.
In his remarks, the mayor, whose wife and children stood on the platform with him, told us that in Cookeville, we are not going to be politically correct this December, but “Christmas correct.”
- We witnessed a beautiful tree lighting ceremony,
- Followed by public school children from several schools singing Christmas carols about our Savior’s birth,
- Interspersed with readings by a number of local ministers about the prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament
- And the story of His birth in the New Testament.
We were all led in prayer. The program wrapped up with the whole crowd singing the responsive spiritual, “Amen!”
After the program, we were treated to a beautiful Christmas tree light show to the music of Mannheim Steamroller. The light show is to be repeated five times per evening during the Christmas holidays. It was spectacular.
Mother, Ray, and I drove by the Putnam County courthouse before leaving town. We wanted to see its Christmas tree. To our delight, there was a nativity scene on the courthouse square, just as there has been in years past.
It stood to the left of this entrance, which is emblazoned with “In God We Trust.”
I’m thankful this morning for a mayor who cares more about being “Christmas correct” than politically correct and for thousands of people who turned out to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
During the Bible readings, when it came time to read the following passage, the mayor read:
For a child will be born to us,
a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
What a wonderful experience and how wonderful that that Mayor is standing up and saying that this is enough. I pray that others will follow his lead, right to the manger.
It was really amazing.
How refreshing in light of the University of Tennessee’s recent announcement that those living on campus should avoid “Christmas” parties or celebrations or even those who are Christmas parties in disguise (what does that even mean)? UT has become a source of paganism and embarrassment with it’s sex week, avoidance of personal gender specific pronouns and then this. How refreshing and beautiful that CHRISTmas is still celebrated in small towns all over.
This news, which I had missed, breaks my heart. How very sad.