While I was listening to PBS

A lady with a British accent was talking in a low voice almost breathlessly describing the scene before her.  ‘The Muslim holiday is near.  The excitement in the air is palpable. The Senegalese love their sheep.’  Cut to a new Senegalese female voice: ‘Our sheep are important to us. We keep one around the house for good luck. Remember, it was Abraham who was offering his son when the miracle ram appeared.  Cut to a bustling market place and a new voice describing how Senegalese men loved to keep sheep as pets.  You can almost smell the scent of life!

This got me to thinking. I’m not a hater. I love learning about other cultures and seeing how they live.  But I also love my own Christian heritage.  Imagine this scenario on a PBS radio program:

Fade in with a crisp British accent, ‘A Christian holiday is near. Here in a small town in America the excitement in the air is palpable.  It is Thanksgiving Day. Cut to a warm anywhere USA female accent: ‘Our whole family gathers around the table as we give thanks to God for His gracious provision. We overeat and laughter rocks the table.’ Cut to an uncomfortably full family member after dinner as the lad opines, ‘I can’t imagine that first Thanksgiving day. The Pilgrims had fled religious persecution in England. They arrived in a wild country, lost half their number to starvation and disease that first winter. American Indians helping them survive became the basis for a long term friendship preparing the way for William Penn and what would become Pennsylvania!’ Cut to the hushed, British accented person saying quietly, ‘We’re just in time for the family prayer.’  A voice says reverently, ‘Thank you our heavenly Father for this good food and for your watchful care throughout the year. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.’ The sound of laughter, conversation and the clanking of plates ensues slowly fades. The excitement in the air is palpable. You can almost smell the scent of faith in God.