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<DIV>When people talk about "Putting Christ back in Christmas" they often think
about some obscure Supreme Court decision (which actually said its fine to leave
the creche right where it is in the city park, and a menorah, and a star,
and a tree, but many people don't know that). This year, the first incident to
remind me of that classic phrase was an advertising letter I received in the
mail today, which began "For million of families, the sure sign that Christmas
is merrily on its way is when they gather around the television to watch the
beloved classic <EM>Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer</EM>." Of course they want me
to buy a series of sculptures which will arrived every other month for a
substantial sum of money -- and therefore won't even be complete until next
Christmas at the earliest. Actually, for me, the sure sign that Christmas is
merrily on its way is when I pull out my Celtic Christmas CD with the beautiful
chorus</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Awake! Awake! Let holy shouts arise.</DIV>
<DIV>See Israel's star, see Israel's star</DIV>
<DIV>Appear in yonder skies.</DIV>
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<DIV>I think I like that beginning better.</DIV>
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<DIV>Siarlys</DIV></BODY></HTML>