MSGID: 2:221/1.58@fidonet 0f23c7db
PID: OpenXP/5.0.57 (Win32)
CHRS: ASCII 1
TZUTC: -0500
The Christians and the Pagans
Song by Dar Williams


Amber called her uncle, said "We're up here for the holiday,
Jane and I were having Solstice, now we need a place to stay."

And her Christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang Mary on a tree,
He watched his son hang candy canes all made with Red Dye No. 3.

He told his niece, "Its Christmas Eve, I know our life is not your style, "
She said, "Christmas is like Solstice, and we miss you and its been awhile."

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,

And just before the meal was served, hands were held and prayers were said,
Sending hope for peace on earth to all their gods and goddesses.

The food was great, the tree plugged in, the meal had gone without a hitch,
Till Timmy turned to Amber and said, "Is it true that you're a wtich?"

His mom jumped up and said, "The pies are burning, " and she hit the kitchen,
And it was Jane who spoke, she said, "It's true, your cousin's not a
Christian, "

"But we love trees, we love the snow, the friends we have, the world we share,
And you find magic from your God, and we find magic everywhere, "

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,

And where does magic come from? I think magic's in the learning,
'Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans only pumpkin pies are burning.

When Amber tried to do the dishes, her aunt said, "Really, no, don't bother."
Amber's uncle saw how Amber looked like Tim and like her father.

He thought about his brother, how they hadn't spoken in a year,
He thought he'd call him up and say, "It's Christmas, and your daughter's
here."

He thought of fathers, sons and brothers, saw his own son tug his sleeve,
saying,
"Can I be a Pagan?" Dad said, "We'll discuss it when they leave."

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,

Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old, and
Making sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold.

--- OpenXP 5.0.57
 * Origin: What do you call a musician with problems? A trebled man.
(2:221/1.58)
SEEN-BY: 1/123 10/0 1 15/0 90/1 103/705 105/81 106/201 123/131 124/5016
SEEN-BY: 128/260 129/305 153/757 7715 203/0 218/0 1 700 870 221/1
SEEN-BY: 221/6 360 226/30 227/114 229/110 112 113 275 307 317 400
SEEN-BY: 229/426 428 470 664 700 240/1120 280/464 5003 5555 282/1038
SEEN-BY: 291/111 292/854 301/1 320/219 322/757 341/66 234 396/45 423/81
SEEN-BY: 423/120 460/58 633/280 712/848 770/1 2320/105 5020/400 5075/35
PATH: 221/1 280/464 103/705 218/700 229/426