“Jesus became human and humbled himself by obeying God." ~ Philippians 2:8
Christmas 1941 was a time of alarming
uncertainty. Just weeks after Pearl Harbor, Americans were still reeling from
the shock and devastating casualties suffered in the surprise attack.
The Japanese strike
force returned home toasting its sweeping success. Across the Atlantic, much of
Europe was frozen in Nazi occupation. Churchill and Roosevelt met in Washington
to map out their wartime strategy. As the century’s most notable Christmas
played out across the globe, no amount of eggnog could quell the fear that came
with the US entering another world war.
Many women not only
found themselves as heads of their households but were also called to work in
factory jobs and other roles previously held by men. Some even donned Santa’s
red suit for the cause.
Real Christmas
trees were scarce because men who typically cut them down were either in the
military or working in the armament industry. So, people decorated artificial
trees made from a type of artificial straw. To ensure cities were less visible
to potential enemy planes, they had no lights.
Food rationing
prompted creative yuletide recipes. Most gave up turkey for donations to
military service personnel. With sugar and butter restricted by the government,
Victory” cakes, which used minimal (if any) sugar, became popular as did
gelatin desserts.
To bolster the
troops’ morale, U.S. Army and Navy Postal Services collected gifts, cards, and
other mail to ensure delivery by Christmas 1942. Hallmark reinforced the idea
with a “Keep ‘em happy with mail” advertising slogan.
Families
exchanged fewer gifts. Due to wartime rationing of products like metal, rubber,
and rayon, many children’s toys and gifts were made of wood or paper. Knitted,
crocheted, and hand-crafted items were given from repurposed materials and
supplies.
Christmas 1941 had
a melancholy feel for both the Americans serving overseas and those on the home
front with empty seats at dinner tables. During this period, some of the most
somber holiday songs were released: “White Christmas” (1941), “I’ll Be Home for
Christmas” (1943), and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (1944).
President
Roosevelt’s 1941 Christmas Eve speech pleaded for God’s forgiveness, guidance,
and love in the times ahead. “May we be humble in spirit, strong in our
conviction; steadfast to endure sacrifice, and brave to achieve a victory of
liberty and dignity," he prayed.
Back then, everyone
preached working for the common good. Spiritual stirrings ran far deeper in the
years that followed. Churches were busier than they’d been during the Great
Depression. And when peace was finally won, the religious upsurge continued.
U.S. churches today
are weakened, shoved to society’s sidelines, and divided internally over basic
beliefs. Let us pray for an awakening of our collective Christmas spirit this
holiday season.
Lord God, help me remember the true reason
for Christmas so that I might experience the true joy that comes from following
You. Give me a spirit of anticipation for what You want from our lives and clothe
me in Your shroud of hope. Amen
