The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. has often said: “Christmas is about a homeless couple with a new baby.”
Over a half-century ago while leading the SCLC in Cincinnati, Ohio, we (ministers, pastors and laypersons) demanded the leading department store to install a Black Santa Claus. This was one demand in addition to eleven other demands dealing with EEO, justice and human rights.
The above protest generated a Christmas Boycott that created a brief return to the spiritual meaning of Christmas. Only a few people living today have any knowledge of this non-violent, moral and economic movement in Cincinnati’s human rights struggles.
It is of special note that a newspaper in Apartheid South Africa carried an article on this human rights/civil rights, socio-economic protest.
During the above protest, some of the Black men in the community volunteered to join us wearing Santa Claus attire. Snow came to Cincinnati that December, decades ago, but, it did not chill our spirit. I coined a phrase: “I’m dreaming of a Right Christmas!”
Toward the end of December, we began to talk about the resurrection of love and justice. The message was clear. The December Selective Buying should prepare us for Easter and Resurrection of love and justice. In January, we found ourselves in serious negotiations about equal employment, inclusion and a new level of respect.
The story of the Black Santa as a human rights, civil rights, equal employment issue was a dramatic step. A step in human rights, civil rights and especially as an equal employment issue quietly moved into history However, an outstanding, highly accomplished TV journalist and Viet Nam war veteran, Leon Bibb, revealed this civil rights event to 21st century generations.
Most of the adults and youth who marched with us during those icy days in December of 1969 are now in Eternity. In this December of 2025 let us thank them for helping us proclaim to the community, our children and future generations the meaning and purpose of Christmas. “Glory to God in the Highest!”
The battles we fought five, six and seven decades ago are by no means over. Every generation must make love, justice, liberation and reconciliation and unending priority.
Dr. Howard Thurman said: “We should light a candle at Christmas that will burn all year long.
The Altar of Eternity is large enough and strong enough to hold the Hanukkah candles, the Christmas candles, the Kwanzaa candles, the Ramadan candles and never bend on break.
When we respect each other’s candlelight, we will know that the “Light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot put it out.” Christmas is Light in a Manger. And all the Herods – past, present and future – cannot put out the Light. The Light of the World, Emmanuel.
Our ancestors sang:
“O Mary, What are you gonna name that pretty little Baby?
Some call him one thing
I think I’ll call him Jesus!
Emmanuel. [Immanuel]
“God With Us.” That is Christmas everyday… Everywhere.
Last updated on December 29, 2025
