Classic … faith

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I enjoy the Holiday classics. My heart thrills to the theologically rich carols about the Messiah’s birth. I also enjoy sentimental crooners who sing about a “White Christmas” or being home for it “if only in their dreams.”  Maybe it’s because it’s the music of my much-loved parents … or maybe it’s because Bing Crosby is one of the few entertainers who sings in my range. Whatever the reason, I went looking for some good old-fashioned Christmas music and found an internet station playing a great mix of Christian and secular songs.
 
After enduring “Blue Christmas” and “Hear Comes Santa Clause,” violins started schmaltzing out a familiar melody … but it didn’t ring any Christmas bells (pardon the pun). Then Bing started singing and I was amazed to hear these words …
 
Faith of our fathers, living still in spite of dungeon, fire and sword,
O how our hearts beat high with joy whene’er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers! holy faith! We will be true to thee till death!
 
I had never considered that hymn a Christmas Carol, but an online search revealed that it’s included on several Christmas albums. Nothing in it expressly speaks about Christmas themes and I still have not discovered why it would be in this genre.
 
Perhaps it simply came from a time when people believed that the message of Messiah’s birth was worth dying for … and living out. “Listen” to the last two verses … and may this be the resolve of all who understand the true meaning of Christmas:
 
Faith of our fathers, we will love both friend and foe in all our strife,
And preach thee, too, as love knows how by kindly words and virtuous life.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith! We will be true to thee till death!
 
Faith of our fathers, we will strive to win all nations unto thee;
And through the truth that comes from God mankind shall then indeed be free.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith! We will be true to thee till death!
 

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