posted
What are your favorite Christmas songs? What song or songs both musically and lyrically do this day justice? There are so many that do it well, but for me there are two songs that stand out, that combine both musically and lyrically to capture something that elevates certain songs beyond mere words and notes.
Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere Go, tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching Over silent flocks by night Behold throughout the heavens There shone a holy light. Refrain:
The shepherds feared and trembled, When lo! above the earth, Rang out the angels chorus That hailed the Savior's birth. Refrain:
And lo! When they had heard it, They all bowed down to pray, Then traveled on together, To where the Baby lay. Refrain:
Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas morn. Refrain:
I too am like a shepherd, My flock of days to guard, Each day finds time for praying, From this I won't retard. Refrain:
Silent Night (German) Words written by Father Joseph Mohr in Mariapfarr, Austria - 1816; Melody added by Franz X. Gruber in Arnsdorf, Austria - 1818; First performed in Oberndorf, Austria - 1818
Silent night, Holy night All is calm, all is bright 'Round yon virgin Mother and Child Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah; Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born.
Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth; Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Stille Nacht
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht! Alles schläft, einsam wacht nur das traute hochheilige Paar. Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar, schlaf in himmlischer Ruh', schlaf in himmlischer Ruh'.
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, Hirten erst kundgemacht durch der Engel Hallelujah, tönt es laut von fern und nah, Christ, der Retter ist da, Christ, der Retter ist da!
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund, da uns schlägt die rettende Stund', Christ, in deiner Geburt, Christ, in deiner Geburt!
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My all-time favorite regarding the birth of Christ is "O Holy Night." To me, it speaks directly to the mystery we observe, and it calls forth the only appropriate response from a believer:
"Fall on your knees. O hear the angel voices O night Divine. O night, when Christ was born. O night, O Holy night. O night Divine."
As a seasonal favorite, I really like "Have yourself a merry little Christmas." John Denver's version with the Muppets is wonderful; not even James Taylor could lay off it, including it in his most recent "October Road" album.
Good thread, Brad. I hope others "chime in."
-------------------- "The Light shines on in darkness . . ." - John 1: 3 - Posts: 7539 | From: Wichita, KS | Registered: Aug 2001
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Ahh…yes, Phil. That is quite a song. And I’m a BIG fan of John Denver and The Muppets (bought their Christmas album several years ago). Truly, a particular artist and arrangement can bring something special to a song. A lot of these songs, perhaps because we’ve heard them so many times through the years, have begun to sound rather rote. But my mother leant me one of her country music Christmas tapes a few years ago and on it was a rendition of Joy to the World that brought this song back to life. Like the Grinch, one can actually feel one’s heart grow a few sizes just from listening. I’ll try to find the exact artist in case one wants to Napster it. And don’t let the “country music” designation scare ya. It transcends even that!
Joy to the world! The Lord is come: let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare him room and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns: let men their songs employ while fields and floods rocks hills and plains repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow nor thorns infest the ground: he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found.
He rules the earth with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love.
There’s another song that, at least for me (particularly being of the male genderization), does its job so well. It expresses feelings and emotions (not that I have them things) that are normally not so easily expressed. As dorky and simple a song as it may be, “The Little Drummer Boy” seems to cut through the clutter of this over-commercialized time of year and brings back the true meaning of gift giving.
Posts: 5365 | From: Washington State | Registered: Sep 2001
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Ah...Christmas music!! My favorite!! I actually used to keep a tape in my car at all times so I could listen to Christmas Carols all year long...my children were mortified . You all have named some good ones so far. And Brad, I love Little Drummer boy...it is such a simple, humbling song .
Okay...two of my favorites:
O Come All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem Come and behold him, born the King of angels;
O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord
True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal, Lo, he shuns not the Virgin's womb, Son of the Father, begotten, not created;
(chorus)
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above. Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
(chorus)
See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle, leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze; we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;
(chorus)
Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger, we would embrace thee with love and awe, Who would not love thee, loving us so dearly?
(chorus)
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
(chorus)
Rock-a-Bye, My Dear Little Boy
Rock-a-bye, my dear little boy, dear little boy, wonder of wonders, my blessing and joy; slumber as I gently hold you, let my tender love enfold you; gift of God to me and the world, here in my arms lies so peacefully curled.
Little Jesus, infant Divine, infant Divine, one with the Father, yet born to be mine; as I rock you calmly sleeping, angel guards their watch are keeping; precious child, one day we shall see what love has destined for you and for me.
**This one isn't one that I hear a lot, but I think it's beautiful..don't you?
I'm sure more will come to mind..just give me a minute..LOL!
Blessings, Terri
-------------------- Unto thee O Lord, do I lift up my soul.--Psalm 25:1 Posts: 609 | From: Oklahoma | Registered: Apr 2002
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Just so none of you post the 12 days of Christmas, I'll keep checking on this thread! Miss Piggy ruined that one for me forever. - FIIVE GOOOLD RIINGS! pa dam pam pam!
Then there are songs like "Merry Christmas, Darling," by the Carpenters, which was popular years ago when I was in the midst of a BIG heartbreak, and which always stirs up a deep, mellow feeling.
And don't forget "Blue Christmas," by Elvis, and "Please Come Home for Christmas.! Well, maybe forget that one!
-------------------- "The Light shines on in darkness . . ." - John 1: 3 - Posts: 7539 | From: Wichita, KS | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
Speaking of the 12 Days, I once saw a stunning performance of this by two angel-voiced ladies on some Christmas special on PBS. If you see a lady in HUGE puffy sleeves (bright blue dress if I remember correctly) that'll be the one.
Speaking of memorable songs: Christmas is such a strange time of year. It’s a mixture of deep awe and light revelry. Well, we’ve covered the awe aspect. Now it’s time for the revelry.
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
Grandma got run over by a reindeer Walking home from our house Christmas eve. You can say there's no such thing as Santa, But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.
She'd been drinkin' too much egg nog, And we'd begged her not to go. But she'd left her medication, So she stumbled out the door into the snow.
When they found her Christmas mornin', At the scene of the attack. There were hoof prints on her forehead, And incriminatin' Claus marks on her back.
Grandma got run over by a reindeer, Walkin' home from our house Christmas eve. You can say there's no such thing as Santa, But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.
Now were all so proud of Grandpa, He's been takin' this so well. See him in there watchin' football, Drinkin' beer and playin' cards with cousin Belle.
It's not Christmas without Grandma. All the family's dressed in black. And we just can't help but wonder: Should we open up her gifts or send them back?
Grandma got run over by a reindeer, Walkin' home from our house Christmas eve. You can say there's no such thing as Santa, But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.
Now the goose is on the table And the pudding made of pig. And a blue and silver candle, That would just have matched the hair in Grandma's wig.
I've warned all my friends and neighbours. Better watch out for yourselves. They should never give a license, To a man who drives a sleigh and plays with elves.
Grandma got run over by a reindeer, Walkin' home from our house, Christmas eve. You can say there's no such thing as Santa, But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.
Posts: 5365 | From: Washington State | Registered: Sep 2001
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Oh my gosh! You won't believe it, but my husband is watching Cartoon Network and the show that is on is (drum roll).....Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer...LOL!!
There's another one that has something about
Rust and smoke the heater's broke, the door just blew away.
Oh what fun it is to ride in my rusty Chevrolet
-------------------- Unto thee O Lord, do I lift up my soul.--Psalm 25:1 Posts: 609 | From: Oklahoma | Registered: Apr 2002
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Rust and smoke the heater's broke, the door just blew away.
Oh what fun it is to ride in my rusty Chevrolet
Can't have one without the other:
Jingle bells, Santa smells Robin laid an egg The batmobile lost a wheel The Joker got away
Posts: 5365 | From: Washington State | Registered: Sep 2001
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posted
This thread is deteriorating with each post!
How could I forget . . . best ever (to me): Handel's Messiah!. No, it's not meant to be Christmas music, but the first few numbers are very much "of the season." "For unto us a Child is born" is one of the most joyous pieces of music I've ever heard. Have a sneak preveiw of it.
A bit of trivia: "The Messiah" is about 3 hrs long, and makes extensive use of chorale and orchetra. Handel wrote it in 3 WEEKS! and never modified it after its first production. It has over 250,000 notes. Writing 10 hrs. a day for those 3 weeks, he would have needed to crank out about 15 notes a minute--phenomenal work!
Actually, a work of genius, imo.
[ December 17, 2002, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: Phil ]
-------------------- "The Light shines on in darkness . . ." - John 1: 3 - Posts: 7539 | From: Wichita, KS | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
This thread is deteriorating with each post!
Man, I almost got whiplash going from Terri’s “Nuttin' for Christmas” to Phil’s “Handel's Messiah”. Messiah is a great reminder of some of the great classical, Gregorian or other VERY traditional music that one might hear only in the confines of a Gothic church. Even though I can’t put a name to most of them they are rather pleasing nonetheless.
But one of the purtiest modern songs is “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” Particularly noteworthy is the chorus:
O, star of wonder, star of might, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.
If a miracle had an accompanying sound I think it would sound like this.
Posts: 5365 | From: Washington State | Registered: Sep 2001
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There are lots of Christmas albums with songs that haven't found their way into the mainstream. One of my favorites of these is by The St. Louis Jesuits, and is entitled "Gentle Night." My favorite on the album is "Wake from Your Sleep" It has a nice melody with lovely verses; the third is my favorite.
---------
Wake from your sleep, a Savior is born, God's holy child gives light to this morn, All our darkness to dispel. Praise to our God, Whose glory we tell.
Come from your fields as shepherds of old, Welcome this Child whom prophets foretold, God has made the earth His home. Praise to our God, the Savior has come.
Stay with us now O Lord of the earth, Make of our hearts a place for your birth, Thou our cares be great or small. Jesus the Lord, be born in us all.
Now shall the earth take joy in her tears, Now shall our hearts be turned from their fears, All the earth shall sing God's praise. Jesus the Lord, be born on this day.
-------------------- "The Light shines on in darkness . . ." - John 1: 3 - Posts: 7539 | From: Wichita, KS | Registered: Aug 2001
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For me,one of the best is the Kingston Trio's Last Month of the Year. Every song is a winner! Listen especially to Bye Bye Thou Little Child,and Goodnight My Baby,and Follow Now, Oh Shpeherds.
Being a country folk, we would sing
Jingle bells, shotgun shells rabbits all the way
Shoot'em in the ears Cut off their tails And eat'em on Christmas da-ay
I woke this morning to a Christmas snow. You know, the ones that turn the everyday into a Christmas card. It was a great surprise because the forecast was for partly sunny with maybe a flurry or two. Instead, we have this great snowfall with wind howling through the newly decorated pines and the roads parallel ribbons of tire tracks. If I shut my eyes, I can hear the sleigh bells and smell the hot cocoa of yesterdays.
This is the snow that takes me back to that wonderful place called childhood... that calls me outside to build snowmen and swoop down hills on runner sleds... to make snow angels and forts...and yes to hurl a snowball or two at unsuspecting friends.
Now that I’ve "grown up", I seldom do these things unless I can grab a kid or two. (Grin)... it really wouldn’t be quite proper. Still each year I wait for this snow... this magical Christmas snow that quiets the world and wraps it all snug and cosy in it’s downy softness like a big ole feather comforter.
"And so this is Christmas"....
Christmas is not flashy lights and mountains of presents; not an endless round of parties and rich desserts, not the stress of making everything perfect... of living up to either our own or other’s expectations. Christmas is simply the gift of love, like the snow... falling softly among us, quieting our world, wrapping it all snug and cosy in peace and love. Christmas is not a time or a place, but a beginning - a new birth, a new life for each and everyone of us.
This year may each of us keep Christmas.... keep the day, the week, the year, and each year ever after. This is my Christmas wish.
May your Christmas be Merry, your New Year joyful and may God bless you and keep you always one of his own.
Wanda
By the way.... let me add a carol to your list.... entitled Every Nation... written by Ian Callanan
Every nation on earth shall sing your glory, Every nation on earth shall praise your name, And all will see your saving glory And proclaim this wondrous day.
A child is born this day, God Word is not fulfilled. The hope for all people is born, rejoice and sing.
Every nation on earth shall sing your glory, Every nation on earth shall praise your name, And all will see your saving glory And proclaim this wondrous day.
The people in darkness have seen the light of peace. The voice in the distance has come, rejoice and sing.
Every nation on earth shall sing your glory, Every nation on earth shall praise your name, And all will see your saving glory And proclaim this wondrous day.
Joy of our longing, fountain of love, O wisdom of God. Joy of creation. Emmanuel, O holy Word.
Every nation on earth shall sing your glory, Every nation on earth shall praise your name, And all will see your saving glory And proclaim this wondrous day.
O sing all creation, our Saviour is born. Rejoice in this new day. For the Lord of new life is born.
Every nation on earth shall sing your glory, Every nation on earth shall praise your name, And all will see your saving glory And proclaim this wondrous day.
posted
It's so cool to just read the words to the songs in these posts. I've sung them for years, but it's easy to let them become rote, rather than prayerful. But I've been rereading them slowly and prayerfully as I've read through the posts, and hopefully I'll take that prayerfulness to Christmas Eve Mass when our choir sings them. I had to smile at the mention of "Little Drummer Boy" though (which I love), because on a mailing list I'm on, one of the guys was saying how much he hated that song, because no mother would let a kid come into the place where her newborn baby was sleeping and start pounding on a drum. I think he missed the point of the song, but it gave me a chuckle.
quote:Originally posted by Brad Nelson: "O Holy Night."
Ahh…yes, Phil. That is quite a song. And I’m a BIG fan of John Denver and The Muppets (bought their Christmas album several years ago). Truly, a particular artist and arrangement can bring something special to a song. A lot of these songs, perhaps because we’ve heard them so many times through the years, have begun to sound rather rote. But my mother leant me one of her country music Christmas tapes a few years ago and on it was a rendition of Joy to the World that brought this song back to life. Like the Grinch, one can actually feel one’s heart grow a few sizes just from listening. I’ll try to find the exact artist in case one wants to Napster it. And don’t let the “country music” designation scare ya. It transcends even that!
Joy to the world! The Lord is come: let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare him room and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns: let men their songs employ while fields and floods rocks hills and plains repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow nor thorns infest the ground: he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found.
He rules the earth with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love.
There’s another song that, at least for me (particularly being of the male genderization), does its job so well. It expresses feelings and emotions (not that I have them things) that are normally not so easily expressed. As dorky and simple a song as it may be, “The Little Drummer Boy” seems to cut through the clutter of this over-commercialized time of year and brings back the true meaning of gift giving.
Posts: 46 | From: Sacramento, CA | Registered: Aug 2001
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I guess I'm lucky in that "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" has an entirely different memory for me. When my daughter was in first grade, they did that for the Christmas program, assigning two kids to sing each gift. (She and another girl were the six geese a-laying.) It was hilarious. It's funny how the songs can bring back memories. I've noticed while working and hearing Christmas music in the background, Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" makes me feel sentimental and reminds me of Christmases when I was a little girl and my parents played that record. Now times have changed: my dad has been gone for several years, and my mom is elderly and feeble and quite forgetful, and my daughter is almost an adult. But it's amazing how a song that I'm not particularly fond of can take me back several years (okay, several decades!) and bring back so many memories.
quote:Originally posted by Phil: Just so none of you post the 12 days of Christmas, I'll keep checking on this thread! Miss Piggy ruined that one for me forever. - FIIVE GOOOLD RIINGS! pa dam pam pam!
Then there are songs like "Merry Christmas, Darling," by the Carpenters, which was popular years ago when I was in the midst of a BIG heartbreak, and which always stirs up a deep, mellow feeling.
And don't forget "Blue Christmas," by Elvis, and "Please Come Home for Christmas.! Well, maybe forget that one!
Posts: 46 | From: Sacramento, CA | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
I read somewhere that Handel said he felt that the angels were around him as he wrote MESSIAH. God's Spirit was definitely at work; and isn't it great how many people the work has touched, even people who aren't particularly religious? God works in amazing ways throughout the centuries!
quote:Originally posted by Phil: This thread is deteriorating with each post!
How could I forget . . . best ever (to me): Handel's Messiah!. No, it's not meant to be Christmas music, but the first few numbers are very much "of the season." "For unto us a Child is born" is one of the most joyous pieces of music I've ever heard. Have a sneak preveiw of it.
A bit of trivia: "The Messiah" is about 3 hrs long, and makes extensive use of chorale and orchetra. Handel wrote it in 3 WEEKS! and never modified it after its first production. It has over 250,000 notes. Writing 10 hrs. a day for those 3 weeks, he would have needed to crank out about 15 notes a minute--phenomenal work!
Actually, a work of genius, imo.
Posts: 46 | From: Sacramento, CA | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
Oh, I really do sense the Christmas spirit here with so many heartfelt memories. Let me add another. The name of the artist who does my favorite rendition of this escapes me, but – yes – it is another country music singer. Of course, it’s not done like a country music song. There are no steel guitars, twangs and people longing for lost dogs and pickup trucks. But there’s a soulful, gospel-sounding presence that I think comes through because of the sincerity of the singer (Christianity and country music artists are hardly strangers to each other).
The wonderful thing about his song is that is seems carefully crafted to move one’s spirit as if being lifted by the growing waves of a mighty ocean. Slow and gentle at first the song builds and builds as if glory itself was being recreated. Ah, enough waxing poetic - on to the lyrics!
Oh Come, All Ye Faithful
Oh come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, Oh come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him, Born the King of angels; Oh come, let us adore him, Oh come, let us adore him, Oh Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
God of God, Light of Light, Lo! he abhors not the Virgin's womb: Very God, Begotten, not created; Refrain
Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God In the highest; Refrain
See how the shepherds, Summoned to his cradle, Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze; We too will thither Bend our joyful footsteps; Refrain
Child, for us sinners Poor and in the manger, We would embrace thee, with love and awe; Who would not live thee, Loving us so dearly? Refrain
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing; Refrain
Posts: 5365 | From: Washington State | Registered: Sep 2001
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We have a friend who has a reggae version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" with Rastafarian lyrics. Pretty bizarre. Also a reggae version of "Little Drummer boy" which is my all-time LEAST favorite Christmas song--repetitive torture--but this version is fun.
I know it's overplayed but I like Handel's Messiah best of all the seasonal music.
shanti
-------------------- Be the change you wish to see in the world -- Gandhi Posts: 144 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2002
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Speaking of the 12 Days, I once saw a stunning performance of this by two angel-voiced ladies on some Christmas special on PBS. If you see a lady in HUGE puffy sleeves (bright blue dress if I remember correctly) that'll be the one.
This is the event I was referring to. I highly recommend it. Now, continuing on with the Christmas song lyrics…
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Said the night wind to the little lamb, "Do you see what I see? Way up in the sky, little lamb, Do you see what I see? A star, a star, dancing in the night With a tail as big as a kite, With a tail as big as a kite"
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy, "Do you hear what I hear? Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy, Do you hear what I hear? A song, a song high above the trees With a voice as big as the sea, With a voice as big as the sea"
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, "Do you know what I know? In your palace warm, mighty king, Do you know what I know? A Child, a Child shivers in the cold-- Let us bring him silver and gold, Let us bring him silver and gold"
Said the king to the people everywhere, "Listen to what I say! Pray for peace, people, everywhere, Listen to what I say! The Child, the Child sleeping in the night He will bring us goodness and light, He will bring us goodness and light"
[There's an exquisite piano version of this by Jim Brickman.]
Posts: 5365 | From: Washington State | Registered: Sep 2001
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Wow, sorry I missed that one earlier from MM. Must've been a little too much tryptophan in that Thanksgiving turkey!
----------
Here's something from a liberal pundit who amply demonstrates the dour fruits of her philosophy.
quote:My mom and sister both blissfully sat through "It's a Wonderful Life" again on Thanksgiving weekend, while even hearing a mere snatch of that movie makes me want to scarf down a fistful of antidepressants - and join all the other women in America who are on a holiday high - except our family doctor is a Scrooge about designer drugs, leaving me to self-medicate as Clarence gets his wings with extra brandy in the eggnog.
It gets worse, and is kind of sad to see how much Ms. Dowd disses her own family for the terrible sin of being happy while she, with her superior intellect and refined tastes, is so miserable. Methinks she could use a hefty dose of brandy in her egg nog, or, better, the Lord Jesus Christ in her heart. That would be so . . ahem. . . Red-Statish, however.
I'm curious as to why a newspaper like the NY Times actually pays people like Ms. Dowd to write such things. The only reason I check in on her from time to time is to keep in touch with the psycho-spiritual consequences of leftist thinking.
[ December 08, 2004, 12:02 PM: Message edited by: Phil ]
-------------------- "The Light shines on in darkness . . ." - John 1: 3 - Posts: 7539 | From: Wichita, KS | Registered: Aug 2001
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I can’t believe we cross-posted regarding themes concerning “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It’s magic!
It gets worse, and is kind of sad to see how much Ms. Dowd disses her own family for the terrible sin of being happy while she, with her superior intellect and refined tastes, is so miserable.
That was from Maureen Dowd? Wow. That’s really going over the edge. That level of cynicism is really quite sad and indicative of a wounding desperately in need of the kind of forgiveness one will find in Christianity (as you said, of course).
It is when watching such programs as “It’s a Wonderful Life” that my resistance to a belief in the Miraculous is lessened. Perhaps that is what is at work here, the patching up of one’s defenses which have shown signs of allowing something through the cynical sieve. Unlike Maureen, I don’t mind my defenses coming down. I feel it gives me new insights into things. One must ask one’s self how dedicated they are to the truth if they tie themselves up in knots trying to avoid experiences of life that are so gently and harmlessly set in front of them.
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It gets worse, and is kind of sad to see how much Ms. Dowd disses her own family for the terrible sin of being happy while she, with her superior intellect and refined tastes, is so miserable.
That was a very good line indeed.
More from Maureen:
quote:My equally demonic sister has a whole collection of rodents dressed in holiday clothes that she puts up around her house. There's a mouse Santa Claus and mouse Mrs. Claus and mice elves and a miniature Christmas village with mice, and some rat Cinderella coachmen in pink waistcoats and rats in red velvet vests and more rats, wearing frilly red-and-white nightshirts and nightcaps and holding little candles, leading you up the steps to bed. It's beyond creepy. I keep fretting that it's going to be like "Willard" meets "The Nutcracker," where they come alive and eat her like a Christmas pudding.
Because she talks in such detail about these things, one suspects that she perhaps really loves that which she professes to hate. But to openly embrace such things would be difficult. It would require casting aside a whole host of beliefs; beliefs, for the most part, which are not sustained by the evidence of the world around but by one’s own prejudices and selective vision – and perhaps mostly by one’s anger. That’s why her words seem so ridiculous and loud to us but probably not to her. She has to work hard, all year, every day, to keep up these defenses. Like a drug that one is hooked on, the dosage that one needs to get the same effect can go up and up – particularly this time of year when there is a Normandy-like assault on such beliefs. One can see the instinctive need to turn up the volume on the cynicism in an attempt to drown out what is taking place all around.
Sure, what is taking place all around includes a lot of crass commercialism, but the lens of cynicism is an incomplete and unclear one. We err greatly if we trash the concept of giving by dismissing it all as mere commercialism. Yes, the sometimes garish holiday decorations, the abundant rich food, and the sentimental Christmas songs can leave one feeling slightly surface-shallow, but we err greatly if we dismiss the sheer joy of people gathering to share good company, good food and a bit of cheer.
If we can’t access these things in our own lives then we are the poorer. I suspect too that when we are in such a condition that our internal radars-of-the-soul try to compensate. Maureen, for all her ranting, seems more concerned with the trappings of Christmas than with Christmas itself. Could this be a roundabout way of expressing the view that we need to cut through all the clutter and get to meaning?
I couldn’t agree more. Looking for meaning is what this time of year is about. You won’t find it by ripping off the face of a snowman but you might find it by helping a child to build one.
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All very good, Brad. I especially liked the following, as it is a perennial challenge for this introvert.
We err greatly if we trash the concept of giving by dismissing it all as mere commercialism. Yes, the sometimes garish holiday decorations, the abundant rich food, and the sentimental Christmas songs can leave one feeling slightly surface-shallow, but we err greatly if we dismiss the sheer joy of people gathering to share good company, good food and a bit of cheer.
-------------------- "The Light shines on in darkness . . ." - John 1: 3 - Posts: 7539 | From: Wichita, KS | Registered: Aug 2001
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![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
. You all have named some good ones so far. And Brad, I love Little Drummer boy...it is such a simple, humbling song ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
.![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
