Christmas Carols Can Cause Trauma?

Czech workers have said enough is enough - with Christmas carols, that is.

Labor unions in that country have demanded that stores either stop playing the tunes or compensate store workers for the "emotional trauma" they suffer from listening to them over and over again, the Chicago Sun-Times reported last week.

The stores play the music too loud and the same songs too often, union officials told the newspaper. As compensation, they want each employee to receive either $19 or two days off.

There was no comment in the article about how Christmas carols affect Americans. It interviewed neither shoppers nor workers to uncover how the season's endless repetition of songs focused on "peace and good will to all" affected our priorities, relationships and worldview. It offered no comment on how many Americans even pay attention to the lyrics as they rush through store aisles looking for sales.

Read the complete article, " Czech clerks seek to rein in non-stop holiday tunes "

Catholic Connections

(O HOLY NIGHT, verses 1 and 3)

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt His worth

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder beams a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
O night divine! O night, O night divine!

Truly he taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus rise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord
Then ever, ever praise we
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim

Reflection Questions

What is a verse from one Christmas Carol that challenges me to change my life?

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