Walking in the Valley A bi-weekly column, featuring one Silicon Valley Christian's (a)musings on life's journey by Barbara Dahlgren

The "Theologically Modified" Christmas Carol Column for the weeks of December 16-31, 2008

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Last week, after spending weeks rehearsing, sixty children from Arthur Bulger Jurnior School (age seven through eleven) in Corringham, Essex were prohibited from participating in a Winter Festival because their songs were considered too religious. They were singing Christmas carols. It was too late for them to reorganize so the concert went on without them. Kids were disappointed and parents, understandably, upset. It is a sad commentary of our times.

One must wonder if nations tolerant of all religions will eventually do away with their history in the name of political correctness. A nation makes Christmas a national holiday because its very traditions are woven into the fabric of its existence. This revelation seems to be lost on authorities. They think it is better not to offend anyone – which might be true – but virtually impossible.

It’s bad enough that governments, town officials, and event planners have a problem discerning this, but now churches are following suit. Clergy are actually altering Christmas carols to make them more politically correct in the religious sector. For example, a Church of England vicar banned his congregation from singing O Little Town of Bethlehem because he didn’t think the words reflect the suffering that is going on there now.

There are other “theologically modified,” politically corrected carols. One church has changed a line in O Come All Ye Faithful from “O come let us adore Him” to “O come in adoration.” There seems to be some objection to the word “Him.” Another has changed a line in Hark the Herald Angels Sing from “Glory to the newborn King” to “glory to the Christ child bring.” It seems references to “king,” “son,” and Christ being gender specific are out. “Virgin” is also taboo and has been removed from God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. “All in white” was removed from Once in Royal David’s City because it might appear racist. Unbelievable!

Is the point to make everyone else feel so comfortable that we lose our identity in the process – historically and theologically? Maybe so!

Others have suggested the following changes:

O Come All Ye Faithful to O Come All Ye People
Little Drummer Boy to Little Drummer Child
O Christmas Tree to O Holiday Tree
We Three Kings to We Three Rulers
Good Christian Men Rejoice to Good Christian Folk Rejoice

One might expect to see the secular world squabbling over the meaning of Christmas, struggling to be broad minded and tolerant. It is noble not to want to offend any ethnic group. Although the motive might not be graciousness as much as it is the fear of litigation. Do I really care if we sing about Frosty the Snowman or Frosty the Snowperson, even though the lyrical timing might be a bit off? However, to see this kind of narrow minded quibbling over terms invade the church is not within the spirit in which these Christmas carols were written. Politically correctness does not mean doing away with your heritage.

Churches should beware. They are literally and dangerously close to throwing the baby Jesus out with the bathwater. When we sing, “Away in the manger no crib for his or her head….” – there is something definitely wrong! What Child Is This? takes on a whole new meaning. Lord, deliver us from politically correct – “theologically modified” Christmas carols!

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.