PUBLIC OPINION

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 96, 20 November 1953, Page 5

PUBLIC OPINION

CHRISTMAS CAROLS Sir, — It was with great misgiving and not a little. disappointment that I, and some other Taupo residents, observed the full carnival programme for the last Christmas holiday season. The Carnival was a great monetary and entertainment success, much enjoyed by numerous holiday visitors, and our own townsfolk, including, of course myself. However, and this is the point I want to make clear, there was no real Christmas programme included. If one remembered, in the midst of holiday gaiety, and the sunshine and smiles seen everywhere at that season, that Christmas was a religious "holy day," one went to Church to give thanks for such a holy gift as Jesus Christ. I went to an 11 a.m. service. Eleven people attended, three of whom were visitors. Have we forgotten the real meaning of Christmas? There were no carols sung on Christmas Eve, nor any organised community carols. At the large gathering to. witness the "switching on" of electric power in Taupo, Mr Tierney very ably got the waiting folk to sing. One carol was started .but fizzled out after one verse, in favour of "Goodnight Irene," sung to the bitter end with enthusiasm. Need I say more? Surely we cannot really let material pleasures completely hide the real Christmas. We all gather in families, give gifts, over eat, drink each other's healths and most of us have a "whale of a good time"— "Christmas, you know!" But do we . know? Do we know that we are remembering that, without the Christ-child born on Christmas Day so long ago, we would be unable to live the lives we do now, in peace, security and prosperity, with a knowledge that, through his Lif'e, Crucifixion and Resurrection we may have eternal peace? Therefore let us rejoice indeed, but rejoince in the right way. I would like to end this letter by hoping that there will be some of our Taupo folk who will reflect on this subject and perhaps agree with me, and that someone, more capable than I, may take the initiative and organise some candle-light carols on Christmas Eve to set the right "tone" for the great Holy Day. What more picturesque and suitable spot could we have to gather together to sing our Christmas songs than the old camping ground by the Lake? I am, etc.,

M.

KRUIT

(Mrs).