O Holy Night, Rudolph, and the WWI Christmas Truce

On December 20, 2024, Allen Thomas, Kurt Gerwitz, and Jim May joined the show. Shared the hidden histories behind O Holy Night’s abolitionist verse, the heartwarming origin of Rudolph at Montgomery Ward, and the remarkable WWI Christmas Truce of 1914 Discussed congressional negotiation dynamics, the broken window fallacy, and debated public transportation subsidies versus freedom of mobility Delivered an original holiday poem celebrating Christmas,.

The Hidden History of O Holy Night

Start listening at 45:00 – Hour 1

Allen Thomas reveals the surprising abolitionist message woven into the beloved Christmas carol O Holy Night. The song, originally a French poem by Placide Cappeau set to music by Adolphe Adam, gained its English lyrics in 1855 from Unitarian minister John Dwight. Thomas draws attention to the rarely-sung third verse: “Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother, and in his name all oppression shall cease.”

Written during the height of the American abolition movement, the verse reflects Christianity’s role in the fight against slavery. Thomas emphasizes how the song demonstrates that true Christian values have always championed human dignity and freedom, countering those who misused Scripture to justify bondage.

“The fact that we as Christians know that everyone is created in God’s image… there was a strong Christian element to say, hey, this isn’t right. We are all made in God’s image. We all deserve to be free.”

Allen Thomas, Author

The Underdog Story Behind Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Start listening at 48:00 – Hour 1

Allen Thomas recounts the heartwarming origin of America’s most famous reindeer. In 1939, Montgomery Ward copywriter Robert L. May created Rudolph for a company coloring book giveaway, working closely with his four-year-old daughter on the rhyming limerick. The story became wildly successful, printing 2.4 million copies its first year and 6 million by 1946.

The tale takes a poignant turn when May, widowed and struggling with medical debt, approached CEO Sewell Avery for compensation. In an extraordinary act of corporate generosity, Avery signed over the story’s rights to May completely free of charge. May’s brother-in-law later recorded the famous song, making Rudolph the second most popular Christmas song behind White Christmas. Perhaps most remarkably, May returned to work at Montgomery Ward for 13 more years out of loyalty and gratitude.

“In a true act of loyalty, after seven years, once he figured out that this story was going to kind of run all by itself, he actually returned to work for Montgomery Ward as a copywriter for 13 more years, just because he saw that loyalty they gave him and he wanted to return it in kind.”

Allen Thomas, Author

The WWI Christmas Truce of 1914

Start listening at 53:00 – Hour 1

Thomas shares the remarkable true story of the 1914 Christmas Truce, when German and British soldiers spontaneously ceased fighting on Christmas Eve. It began with German troops singing Silent Night from their trenches, which British soldiers soon joined. Shouts across no man’s land led to an informal agreement: if you don’t shoot, I won’t shoot.

The next morning, soldiers from both sides met in the deadly no man’s land to celebrate Christmas together, even playing soccer. Though high command quickly ended the fraternization, the event stands as testimony to music’s power to reveal shared humanity even amid war’s horrors.

“When you see the humanity in the other side, when you can see them as people, it can change your whole world.”

Allen Thomas, Author

Government Efficiency and the Subsidy Debate

Start listening at 70:00 – Hour 2

Kurt Gerwitz weighs in on the continuing resolution battle in Congress, drawing parallels to negotiation dynamics he teaches in business courses. The economics professor argues that deadlines drive action, explaining why last-minute deals are human nature rather than political failure.

The discussion heats up over public transportation subsidies. Kim Monson argues that transit fares cover only 20% of operating costs, making the system economically unviable. Gerwitz counters that car-centric infrastructure also receives massive subsidies and that Americans lack the vision to imagine European-style transit. Thomas offers middle ground, supporting free market solutions while acknowledging cronyism corrupts both sides of the debate.

“It’s not just that this is magic money from the government. This is taxpayer dollars.”

Kurt Gerwitz, Professor

A Cowboy’s Christmas Blessing

Start listening at 64:09 – Hour 2

Jim May, cattleman and cowboy poet with LaVaca Meat Company, calls in with an original holiday poem celebrating the Christmas season and the Kim Monson Show community. May offers blessings of peace, joy, and love to all listeners regardless of background, reflecting on the gift of free speech and the beautiful Colorado Rockies visible from the KLZ studio.

“I’m just a Colorado cowboy who would really like to say blessings of peace, joy, and love to you, and have a happy holiday.”

Jim May, LaVaca Meat Company