The following is a reflection from Paula Settle, an affiliate appointed through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship…

Today we had our 3rd annual ladies Christmas luncheon at Nada. Besides having great food and gifts provided by three churches, it was also a teaching time about appropriate clothing for a luncheon and not leaving during activities for “cancer breaks” etc. When I told them that we were going to have some Emily Post moments………they said, “who is Emily Post?”

One of the games that I play with them each year is Name that Tune, with Christmas carols. This year they only guessed about 1/3 of the carols. I did the same thing on Tuesday with about ten ladies who were standing in line for food in Owsley County. I had a nice handbell/organ CD playing and I would ask the title of the carol that was playing. Only 2 of the 14 carols were guessed correctly.

It is sad that adults in these two poverty areas do not even know the names of our cherished Christmas carols. To me that is musical poverty at its worst. It is also a sign of adults who are unchurched and were never taught our sacred carols.

Poverty is more than not having money in your pocket for food and housing.