Over the years I have become somewhat apathetic about the way we are losing the true meaning of Christmas. I have been tolerant of the songs "Here Comes Santa Claus," "You'd Better Watch out," "Oh Tannenbaum (Oh Christmas Tree)," "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," "Deck the Halls," "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer," "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth," etc., and, yes, even that wonderfully beautiful song, "White Christmas."
I have listened to and sung these seasonal songs and readily admit that I have enjoyed them. It is interesting to me that we have so many songs that do not so much as mention the Lord Jesus Christ, his birth or the great labor of love that he performed during his mortal ministry.I have even become somewhat apathetic to having people around me discuss what they want for Christmas before and during the Thanksgiving weekend. It seems that "materialism" is becoming or has become the most important reason for celebrating the so-called holiday season.
What I was not ready for and still am not ready to accept is what my wife and I observed last night as we were driving home from Orem listening to "real" Christmas carols. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a man and his wife sneak up to a Christmas tree lot in south Orem. When no one was looking the man snatched a tree and they ran to the car, threw the tree in the trunk and sped away.
Stealing Christmas trees? It is difficult for me to comprehend. There are so many agencies that are willing and ready to help those in need at this time of the year. There are also many individuals who freely give of what they have. There are even Christmas trees to be found for a mere dollar or two a day or two before Christmas. Some lots even give their excess trees away for free.
Beyond the simple economics though, it is almost impossible for me to comprehend someone stealing a Christmas tree to adorn their home or apartment in preparation of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
To me, those who would do this are even lower than those that steal flowers and wreaths off of the graves of the deceased (we have had the wreaths that we place on our parents' graves stolen within 24 hours each year).
I sincerely hope that we as a people, state and nation will be able to look within our hearts and return to the values that we were taught by him who has purchased us all with his blood. May we sing and live the closing words of a truly great Christmas Carol, "Peace on Earth, good will toward men."
Harold R. Wing
Springville