on the first day of christmas

Sometimes things are not what they seem. I sat down to watch “White Christmas” for the first time. I sighed as the movie began, expecting schmaltz big time. Yet the opening scene is of war. Weary soldiers gather. They duck for cover. A general bids his troops farewell. And “White Christmas” is sung. It’s opening line makes sense… I’m dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones I used to know For many years I thought this song was plain awful. But having seen it placed in the context of war, it took on another life. From that opening scene I fell in love with this song.   I've also fallen in love with oldies. But for a long time, I couldn’t stand them. Like Crosby’s tune. For many years, I had the pleasure of showing cinema classics to the oldies at church. And when I screened “White Christmas” the opening scene took on a deeper meaning still. Many, if not all, had served during the war. They would’ve understood the soldier's weariness...