Letter to the editor: The old lamplighter

Back in the mid-1940s, a song came out at Christmastime titled "The Old Lamplighter." It has been a favorite of mine ever since.

Back in the days before electric street lights, there were street lights that had to be lit each night. And so the song goes:

"He made the night a little brighter

"Wherever he would go

"The old lamplighter

"Of long, long ago.

"His snowy hair was so much whiter

"Beneath the candle glow

"The old lamplighter

"of long, long ago."

When you stop to think of it, how much more cheerful a room becomes even with one little candle that has been lit. Unfortunately, we live in a time where darkness, division and hatred seem to cloud out all light, warmth, happiness and hope.

So what will be on your Christmas wish list? Here are what my wishes would be. A country no longer divided by strife and hate. That political correctness would meet its final fate. Nor any fear to speak about our faith or pray in public even if it be a silent one. Schoolchildren would again be able to sing "Away in a Manger" without fear of lawsuits by those who don't believe. Such a simple song I learned as a wee child.

"Away in a manger no crib for a bed. The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head." You know the rest I am sure, but it has come about that sex, gender identification and even some schools' Muslim prayers are taught taking precedence over the true meaning of Christmas. Being offended and hatred have become a plague.

My wish is that all these issues be ended and like the old lamplighter. Let's spread the light and love of freedom to every day of our lives.

Dolores Zaske,

Pine River