Christmas gifts for us all: Brad Johnson

Some 45 years ago, two unlikely musicians recorded a song that has become a Christmas classic.

Rock superstar David Bowie and crooner Bing Crosby were to perform The Little Drummer Boy for Crosby’s November 1977 Christmas television special. But Bowie disliked the song and Crosby did not think it showcased his voice.

So, the song was quickly merged with Peace on Earth, a tune written specifically for the show. It was the last song Crosby ever recorded.

With Crosby carrying the Little Drummer Boy melody in the background, Bowie sings, “Peace on Earth, can it be? Years from now, perhaps we’ll see. See the day of glory. See the day when men of goodwill live in peace, live in peace again. Peace on earth. Can it be?”

Events today make peace seem far away, but Christmas is near.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Soon the angels were proclaiming peace on earth, good will to men.

But it remains elusive.

“I get frustrated with the lack of peace, yet I recognize I am only responsible for my own self,” said the Rev. Hank Roso, president of Midwest Ministries. “My response to the lack of peace, the hatred and the chaos, is the birth of our Savior. He is the prince of peace and it is important for me to be a reflection of Him through how I live my life and treat other people.

“Christ us unconditional love for all, even those who wished him harm, even when they crucified him.”

If Roso could give everyone one Christmas gift, it would be unconditional love.

As Bowie and Crosby continued to sing, they gave hope for the future.

“Every child must be made aware. Every child must be made to care – care enough for his fellow man – to give all the love that he can.”

That wish comes true daily for Capt. Dennis Jolly, who along with his wife Capt. Kelly, oversees the Salvation Army in Watertown.

“I get to be around a lot of good and a lot of people making a difference to people they don’t even meet,” Jolly said. “Whether it is donating to red kettles (collections are down because of weather, by the way) or a toy for our toy shop, people are willing to sacrifice themselves for their neighbors and for people they don’t see.

“Yes, there is a lot of strife in the world” Jolly said, paraphrasing Fred Rogers, “but in the in the midst of chaos and destruction, look for the people who are doing good.”

For children to learn, adults must be the example, Roso said.

“Each of us has a responsibility not just our own children but to other children to live our life in such a way that people would see Christ in us and perhaps be inspired to live in the same way.”

The challenge is that today’s culture offers so many things that detract from the love of Christ and his Christmas gift that we must work even harder to make people aware of it, Roso said.

“Our number one responsibility is to shepherd the children and help prepare them so that in their life as an adult they can make an impact on their world.”

For Jolly, who is father to a newborn along with a slightly less than 2-year-old, teaching the children has just begun.

“They are so innocent,” he said. “We as parents have a big responsibility. I think it is good to teach them that there are people who are struggling that are in need of peace and we have the means to provide that.”

If there is one gift Jolly could give, “it is the gift of Christmas itself … that there is a God who loves us so much that he willingly stepped down from heaven to walk with us to breathe the air we breathe, to walk the earth we walk and to die for us, all out of love, out of caring.”

“Peace on Earth,” Bowie sang. “Can it be?”

Brad Johnson is a Watertown businessman and journalist who is active in state and local affairs.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Brad Johnson column Christmas gifts for us all