Good post! Earlier in American history, it was understood that celebration of the birth of Jesus could not be separated from His death, resurrection, and return in glory.
Here are verses from a couple of *Christmas* hymns, from the 1854 "Southern Harmony," (available in a nice facsimile edition on Amazon.com :-).
"Who is this that comes from far,
With his garments dipped in blood?
Strong, triumphant traveler -
Is he man or is he God?
I that reign in righteousness,
Son of God and man I am;
Mighty to redeem your race,
Jesus is your Savior's name."
("Bozrah" melody)
"Come away to the skies, my beloved arise,
And rejoice in the day thou wast born;
On this festival day, come exulting away,
And with singing to Zion return."
("Exultation" melody)
I have two full CD's of traditional Thanksgiving music, too. Remember "Come, ye thankful people, come!" and "We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing!"? Christians need to reclaim religious observances from the shopping morass.
And dang it, I want Veterans' Day back!
Absolutely, and as you may know, the "candy cane" was originally symbolic of Jesus' purity and blood.