| type="text/javascript"> | | | | This tradition goes back over one thousand years, |
| When we think of Christmas, a lot of images | | | | and extends all over the world, wherever |
| flood our minds. Christmas trees, nativity scenes, | | | | Christmas has been celebrated. But in the past |
| exchanging gifts, the looks of wonder and joy on | | | | few years, especially the last decade or so, |
| kids faces on Christmas morning, snow men and | | | | caroling has begun to be a vanishing part of a |
| snow ball fights, candle light services at church, | | | | traditional Christmas. Even newspapers are writing |
| and many more. Christmas truly is a many | | | | about how fewer and fewer people go caroling |
| splendored thing. All of us have our own special | | | | every year. When's the last time you yourself |
| memories of Christmas that mean more to us | | | | went caroling? Or your family? How about your |
| than anyone else. And then there are the ideas of | | | | church? Caroling at Christmas used to be done by |
| Christmas, and there are many of those, too. | | | | nearly every church in America, but no longer. |
| Some see it a a time for giving and service. | | | | This is a terrible tragedy, and it's time we started |
| Others view it as a celebration. For some, it's a | | | | to turn things around. It's time to bring Christmas |
| deeply religious holiday, while for others it's more | | | | caroling back, before it disappears forever. Do |
| cultural and symbolic than sacred. | | | | your part this Christmas, and go caroling, and |
| But no matter your views on Christmas, or what | | | | encourage your friends and fellow parishioners to |
| you love most about it, one part of the traditional | | | | do the same. If we all do our part, we can keep |
| Christmas that's dying out is Christmas caroling. | | | | Christmas caroling alive. |