Christmas Music: FAQs
WGTS 91.9 plays Christmas music after Thanksgiving through Christmas. Thanks for taking a moment to understand why. Be sure to invite your friends to tune in!
Christmas Programming FAQ
Q: Why do you play all Christmas music from Thanksgiving through Christmas?
A: We thoughtfully and prayerfully decided to use this Christmas emphasis as an evangelistic tool. You may have experienced the reality that your friends and family are a little more open to hearing about spiritual things during the Christmas season. Many friends and family members who would never listen to Christian radio are more open to do so when they’re listening to a station playing all Christmas music. We’re doing this to reach as many people in Washington DC with the Word as possible.
Q: I hear some songs from artists who I don’t believe are Christian. Why is that?
A: This is a joyous season of celebration about the birth of Jesus Christ. When you hear
these songs on WGTS 91.9, we’re asking you to cover them in prayer because they are “hooks” that are designed to attract people who don’t normally listen to us. Keep in mind that the majority of songs you hear on WGTS 91.9 are very clear, with the true meaning of Christmas pointing people to Christ. We have included specific classic Christmas songs that remind most of our listeners of Christmases while they were growing up. However, be assured we’re not abandoning the message that Christ is the reason we celebrate Christmas. We think as you listen, you’ll hear that message clearly.
Q: What about Santa Claus?
A: There can be no doubt that the primary focus of WGTS 91.9’s music is about Jesus Christ and His birth. In fact, while Santa Claus is a mythical figure, there really was a St. Nicholas. Born into a wealthy family during the fourth century, Nicholas was a Christian man who loved children and his neighbors, and spent his life privately giving gifts to the unfortunate. These acts of Christian charity—usually made secretly—probably led to the practice of exchanging gifts at Christmas. Nicholas gave to others expecting nothing in return. It is this selfless generosity that made Nicholas’ gifts a reflection of the gift God gave us in His Son. Some Christians use this time of the year as a time to teach their children how to practice selfless giving like St. Nicholas. More information can be found here.
Here is a perspective on Santa from Dr. James Dobson of Focus On The Family:
“Christmas memories are among the most cherished of all my childhood reminiscences.
The fantasy of Santa Claus coming on Christmas Eve was an important part of the fun. I’m reluctant to deprive today’s kids of an experience that was so exciting for me. On the other hand, I understand the concerns expressed by many Christian parents about the pagan celebration of Christmas. They don’t want to link Santa Claus, a mythical figure, with the reality of the baby Jesus who was born in Bethlehem of Judea. They have good reason to fear that they might weaken the validity of the Christmas story by mixing it with fantasy. So this is the dilemma: Santa is fun, but Santa could be confusing. What are Christian parents to do? This is a judgment call to be made by a given family. Shirley and I chose to play the ‘Santa game’ with our kids, and we had no difficulties teaching them who Jesus was and is. Other families regret mixing the two images. What is best? I don’t know. But if I had to do it over, I would still let my children thrill to the excitement of Santa’s arrival down the chimney on Christmas Eve.”
I hope this helps you understand why we’re doing this. We know everyone may not agree
or understand, but we simply want to use the tools of Christmas to reach more people for
Christ. Thanks for praying with us and for helping us fulfill the vision to which God has called: To impact one million lives right here in Washington DC! We know you may have questions or comments about this special Christmas outreach, so please feel free to let us know. You can also always help chose music for WGTS 91.9 by joining our Listener Advisory Board.
