Once upon a time, December was filled with Christmas pageants and programs, many of which took place in the local school auditorium. At the very least, such programs were filled with Christmas carols spelling out the story of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem; many of them – like the one depicted in the 1941 film, “Penny Serenade” – even acted out that story, complete with Mary, Joseph, and the angels.

School Christmas programs still take place today … but often only under the generic title of “Holiday Concerts.” Gone are the renditions of “Silent Night” and “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.” In their place stand songs mentioning Rudolph, Frosty, and the Grinch. Unless one counts the school pageant a decade ago which included a Muslim song featuring the words “Allahu Akbar” (“God is great”), i

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