Category: Worldviews
I'm not one to always assume that "the good old days" were necessarily better than today. It is easy to become idealistic and myopic when evaluating the behaviors and beliefs of history (even as recent as a year or two ago); part of what makes something seem so bad now is that it is happening now. Cancer we have always seems worse than cancer we had.
Nevertheless, I will confess a sense of shock as my family watched an episode of Little House on the Prairie last night on DVD. It was entitled "Christmas at Plum Creek" (I think), and told a nice story about this poor family giving Christmas presents to each other from significant personal sacrifice. Laura sold her beloved horse to Nellie so that she could purchase a wood-burning stove for her mother (for $7.87, I might add). Mary, Pa, and Ma all worked very hard in order to provide something special for others.
At so many levels, it was conspicuously different from shows that are popular today (or at least from the advertisements, I cannot actually say that I have watched many current shows in their entirety). It is difficult to imagine a modern girl selling something so highly valued as Laura's horse so that she could be generous to her mother. It is difficult to imagine any modern TV character working as hard as the other three did (unless, of course, there is big money or high praise to be gained). Mary actually asked her father for permission to do something after school, and she waited for his answer, and she thanked him for allowing her to do it. Astonishing! And Nellie--who would be the star of the today's sitcoms, admired by all the middle school girls, the face of a popular line of fashion or cosmetics, and general role model--stands out as a selfish, mean-spirited, arrogant, snotty belligerent who is justifiably ridiculed and shunned. The clear distinction between good and evil, wisdom and folly, was a welcome sight.
But the biggest surprise was in the description of the meaning of Christmas. It wasn't, "a time for giving," or "when Santa brings presents to good kids (and kids who aren't good but gets them anyway because it would be unfair and judgmental to suggest that some kids are better than others)," or "one of many holidays that make people feel good and bring hope to our lives," it was, "God showing His love for the world by sending His Son, Jesus, into the world." Now, granted there was no mention of death on the cross, but to hear the word 'Jesus' coming from my TV speakers and not be profanity...; I'll take it. And also to mention Him as the Son of God, be still my heart. It is hard to believe that this was once one of the most popular shows on television enjoyed by masses of Americans. In this case, at least, Oh for the good old days!