Christmas 1981

I came across this old article recently, and thought I would share it. In memory of Margaret, and apologies to Karen and Heather. (First published in an IBM periodical.)

American’s Bible Belt, from David McLean, Raleigh, North Carolina.

We were looking forward to spending our first Christmas here in the Bible Belt of America, and my wife Margaret, two daughters Karen and Heather and I were very interested to see if there would be any differences in the way it was celebrated.

Getting into the Christmas spirit starts early. As soon as Thanksgiving weekend is over at the end of November, the stores very quickly become like large scale Santa’s Grottos. Carols and festive music are played over public address systems, and sung by choirs assembled in the indoor shopping malls, and Santa Claus in a corner of each store to lure children and their parents. Even the houses and apartments get caught up with the idea that there is something special about the 25th December. Little Santas appear in gardens, and in some cases his reindeer too, all kept bright and warm with a 100 watt bulb! Some houses even have lights strung around the eaves and in each window.

It is not too difficult to get caught up in the seasonal fever, and our children not only enjoyed the traditional Christmas Day, but the lead up to the event with all the tinsel attractions provided as reminders to the season.

Unfortunately, it is easy to forget the real meaning and reason for Christmas, even in the Bible Belt, and for that reason it could be considered little different from home. This season is the celebration of the birth of a baby, who in the course of His life, death and resurrection changed the course of history, and many people’s lives.

Therefore for us, the church played a major part of the season, not only in attendance, but in participation by Karen and Heather in a musical presentation of events around the birth of this Saviour of the World.

Christmas Day was spent in the manner traditional to both countries. An early rise to watch the children open their presents which were placed under the Christmas Tree, and the rest of the day taken up with family games using the presents just opened, and of course the traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings to make it a meal to remember for some time to come.

Somehow, even with all the glitter and tinsel of the festivities, on Christmas Day the real atmosphere and spirit of Christmas is there to be enjoyed by all who will accept and recognise the true meaning of the season, and that is true wherever you may spend it.