CENTREVILLE â A Chaplain attending a Christmas party for children sponsored by a local fraternal organization (prior to the pandemic), asked the children this question; âWhoâs birthday do we celebrate on Christmas day?â Among the approximately 40 children, ages 5 â 11 years of age, only three hands were raised with potential answers. It appeared the other 37 children didnât have an answer.
The same question was asked three consecutive years of different children attending the party. Same results each year.
A local reporter interviewed people of varying ages, from 11 to 80, âWhatâs your favorite Christmas song or hymn?â Not one of those who answered chose a religious song. They chose such songs a âJingle Bellsâ, âJingle Bell Rockâ, and other popular Christmas staples. Whatever happened to âAway in a Mangerâ, âJoy to the Worldâ or âSilent Nightâ?