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We're quite sure that Mary and Joseph sang. Did Carol sing with them?

Indeed, she is absolutely lovely. But what I find more lovely still is your authentic worship as she was being born and welcomed into this world of ours which is often very unwelcoming for the least of these. (I wonder if Mary and Joseph sang?) I do wish that my birth had been accompanied by singing songs of faith but, alas, I am sure it was not. Emelia is a very fortunate and blessed little girl. Not only is she lovely, but so are you. Many blessings to her and you as she learns what it means to be a Christian.

(The Rev) Carlton Kelley
Diocese of Indianapolis
Richmond, Indiana, USA
cfkblh@yahoo.com
24 October 2011

What ELSE is in a name?

Interesting your essay this week, which I've only just read. I spoke to someone today about differences between parenting of children between cultures. For some a baby carries more than the name of the ancestor whose name they carry, with word 'spirit' being as much as could be translated into English. Because baby carries, say, grandmother's name, baby is both baby AND grandmother at once. Thus baby is accorded the respect that would have accrued to deceased granny, as well as being parented as a babe. Profound implications, for say, punishment of misdeeds - would you send grandmother to her room? It's not worship, but a different recognition of the humanness of the child with profound implications for relationship with parents and other adults.

W J Arnold
St Mark's
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CANADA
27 October 2011

Earlier letters

We launched our 'Letters to AO' section on 11 May 2003. All published letters are in our archives.