Sing carols during Advent
by Ferne Alderfer, Henrico, Va.
I am responding to "A Christmas Compromise," the December 2011 editorial that endorses "splitting" Advent and Christmas. I am thankful that I had not read an earlier editorial suggesting we not sing Christmas songs during Advent. I would have been sad to know this position was being endorsed by Mennonite publications and leadership.
I am also thankful that you now recommend Christmas songs be sung during Advent. If my metropolitan region can support a secular radio station and a commercial cable TV channel that plays 24 hours/day of Christmas songs, I hope the Mennonite church can sing Christmas carols during Advent without causing disagreements within the body of Christ.
As an addendum, I would not have been able to answer the Christmas hymns crossword puzzle (December 2011) from memory if my home church had not allowed Christmas carols to be sung during Advent.
Associated Issue: Mary, model and mother - December 2011
Associated Article: A Christmas compromise
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