Comments on: Christmas in the Sunday Schools, 1943

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:05:01 +0000

Since there was no communication from Church headquarters to the German saints at that time, I suppose nobody wrote in to ask which verse of their national anthem might be appropriate (I’d have recommended the one beginning “Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit”) or whether “Die Wacht am Rhein” or the “Horst Wessel Lied” might be chosen as the “national song” to be played during the Sunday School program.

I think I’d add such displays to Santa Claus–let them be celebrated at home or at school.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:59:20 +0000

That’s what strikes me about a lot of the “answers to questions” I’m finding from the 40s-50s-60s, Hunter — if somebody had to ask, and somebody had to make a ruling, it means that THAT (whatever strange thing “that” might be) was occurring. Odd.

By: Hunter

Hunter — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:43:07 +0000

[L]eave Santa Claus to the home and day school. The introduction of Santa Claus into the Sunday School brings with it a carnival spirit which is far from the sacred spirit that our yule season should carry.

Huh? The Sunday School General Board felt the need to remind folks to keep Santa Claus out of a Sunday School service? Is this “Sunday School” as in a Sunday service, where they used to administer the sacrament? Holy cow! If they felt like they needed to say it, it’s probably because it had happened, or was happening.

And to think that Santa Claus doesn’t even visit our Friday night Ward Christmas Party anymore because of concerns that it’s too frivolous and light-hearted! In order for that to make any sense, I suppose you have to define the word “party” as “another church service, but with food.”