The Christians and the Pagans

The Solstice is upon us --- shortest day, longest night, the turning of the year. For those interested, the precise time will be 10:19 p.m. (CST).

So it's a good morning for singer-songwriter Dar Williams' "The Christians and the Pagans," an exploration in song of how the old (Solstice) and the new (Christmas) can share a meal.

I found this little explanation of the circumstances in The Chariton Patriot of Dec. 24, 1908: "When Constantine was converted, he seized upon every underlying likeness, however remote, between the old faith and the new. Every familiar symbol that might be stretched to fit the strange faith; every old custom that would help to reconcile his lately, sometimes forcibly, converted people to their unaccustomed belief, was adopted and re-explained. And the return of the sun, bringing life and light to the winter-bound earth, became the prototype of the coming of the Son of Man, bringing life and light to the soul of the sin-bound world. So that at first all the pagan observances were retained as far as possible and merely given a new meaning."

Here's the song. They lyrics follow:

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 witch?"

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.