Genealogy Jottings

In the 50’s and early 60’s, most people in America celebrated Christmas as a Christian holiday. We saw manger scenes displayed in public places, and we heard carols played in stores and on the radio. As not-particularly-religious Lutherans, my family accepted this as part of the natural order.

Because the Christmas story permeated the culture, our church congregation did not work particularly hard to go beyond that. The congregation observed the church season of Advent on the four Sundays before Christmas simply by lighting Advent candles each Sunday.

Every year the church Sunday School put on a Christmas program for parents and other relatives. My brother and I participated in these. Each class usually had a part in the program—either by providing actors and narrators for the manger scene and Christmas story, singing a song, or doing a choral reading. We also joined in songs done by the entire Sunday School.

When the holiday finally arrived, the church offered services on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Our family did not attend either one.

As I grew older and began to participate in church youth activities and choir, I became more observant of church rituals. I began attending the Christmas Eve church service, usually by myself, either before or after my family opened gifts. They did not mind accommodating that although most of them had no interest in attending the service.

These early experiences set a pattern for my life today. I still observe Advent with a wreath and short daily devotions in my home. I know all the traditional Christmas carols after learning them for programs in my youth. As my Scandinavian ancestors did, I attend church on Christmas Day now instead of Christmas Eve. Religious services and rituals for the Christmas season still seem like the natural order of things to me.