Music of the Season

The other day I heard someone say that they did not like Christmas music. Their exact words were, "I HATE Christmas music." I was shocked and disturbed by this. How can you not like Christmas music? Now, granted there is some Christmas music recorded by artists who are looking to simply to put some more coin in their piggy. They have no concern for the quality nor the message behind the songs. These tunes and albums can leave you feeling sour. But to say you HATE Christmas music. That is unthinkable, unconscionable, and undeniably wrong.

I have a rather extensive collection of Christmas music. I love Christmas music. In fact, I have been known to listen to it in the the middle of the Summer. Christmas music reminds me that there is still decency, purity, and hope in the world. And when you really stop to think about it, with a few exceptions, most Christmas songs are about hope. Hope mixed with joy. Hope and joy mixed with peace. Hope, joy, and peace wrapped in a package of love. Sure, some songs are about grandma's forlorn journey home, or heart-broken holidays, who mommy might be kissing, or even missing teeth. Alas, there are some songs that should not have been written, let alone recorded. Yet, even songs that are not inherently religious, can still get your toe a tappin' or warm your heart. How could anyone not enjoy Bing crooning his heart out on "White Christmas" or Mariah flat-out blowing on "All I Want for Christmas is You", and, I am not a Springsteen fan, but I dig his version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Other songs like "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", "Up on the Housetop", "Winter Wonderland", "Let It Snow", and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" make the season merry and bright.

The music of Christmas can bring people together. Children's church productions, a choral concert, or a Christmas parade can lift your spirits and warm your heart. If you have ever been caroling at a hospital, nursing home, or even house to house, you have seen the smiles, tears, and pure joy that singing a few simple songs can bring (even when you forget the words). Music has a power to heal that transcends the seasons, but for some reason Christmas music is on a higher plain.

Christmas music reminds us of that first noel when on a silent night it came upon a midnight clear that sweet little Jesus boy lay away in a manger in that little town of Bethlehem. The herald angles sang joy to the world from the realms of glory; oh, what a holy night. So this year, when you hear the silver bells on Christmas day, then put on your Christmas shoes and go tell it on the mountain that everyone should come and adore him, Emmanuel. May God rest ye merry gentlemen and women and it is my prayer that you will have yourself a merry little Christmas.

Peace.

Bill