Wednesday, December 20: White Christmas
The sun is shining, the grass is green
The orange and palm trees sway
There’s never been such a day
In Beverly Hills, L.A.
But it’s December the twenty-fourth
And I’m longing to be up North!
I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas: Not many people remember the verse that preceded the famous chorus, written in the early days of World War II by Irving Berlin, and recorded by Bing Crosby in 1942.
My memories of Christmas traditions started with Sunday school Christmas Eve service. We memorized Bible verses and hymns that told the story of Christ’s birth.
I believe that the talents of a Russian-born Jewish immigrant were a gift from God for helping a war-torn world, giving the troops hope and strength to endure. Written in L.A. in 1940 by Mr. Berlin, this song was embraced by troops overseas because Christmas was a time to celebrate with family, and they were longing to be home.
Christ is our Savior, and even though the world wants to take his birth out of the holiday, it is still a Christian Holy Day.