So I went out for a bite to eat last night to a restaurant which was delightfully free of any Christmas or seasonal decorations of any kind. But then, in the middle of my Caesar salad, I became uncomfortably aware of the muzak and realized it was Frank Sinatra singing:
Oh, by gosh, by golly
It's time for mistletoe and holly
Tasty pheasants, Christmas presents
Countrysides covered with snow...
It's time for mistletoe and holly
Tasty pheasants, Christmas presents
Countrysides covered with snow...
By the time my entrée arrived, I heard Johnny Mathis singing, The Christmas Song:
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
and folks dressed up like Eskimos...
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
and folks dressed up like Eskimos...
Please don't tell me I'm fortunate that last night was the first time I heard these tunes this year. I'm going to be hearing them over and over again for the next 30 days. And it's not just the repetition of worn out songs that gets to me. A lot of this music hits a place in me that is, well, less than holly-jolly. The older I get the more I observe how the cultural and commercial avalanche of "the holidays" has a strong tendency to stir up just the opposite of things merry, bright, and happy. So many people find this time of the year to be lonely and depressing. How came Christ's birthday to occasion this kind of response?
The expectations of joy-buoyed spirits at this time year far exceed anything most of us will ever muster through shopping, wrapping and partying. For many, inner peace is difficult enough to find at any time, let alone by mid-December and on schedule! I've sometimes wondered what would happen if the Church transferred the liturgical date of Christmas to August 25. That means that Advent would begin in late July. And of course, in terms of weather, that's just the kind of seasonal ambiance those below the equator experience. The world of commerce could still have their November-December splurge. After all, the market place only celebrates some vague "holiday" - Christmas is hardly mentioned.
Of course that's not going to happen. So my second fantasy is to transfer the date of Christmas to the last Sunday in December - every year. No more Christmas Mass schedules bumping up against Advent IV and creating a marathon that makes Santa's annual sleigh ride look easy.
...I think I've wondered off-topic. Forgive me. That's what that muzak does to me: a lot of the holly-jolly tunes stuff leave me feeling a little blue - and I know I'm not alone in that.
Just helps sometimes to get it off your chest. Thanks for listening!
The expectations of joy-buoyed spirits at this time year far exceed anything most of us will ever muster through shopping, wrapping and partying. For many, inner peace is difficult enough to find at any time, let alone by mid-December and on schedule! I've sometimes wondered what would happen if the Church transferred the liturgical date of Christmas to August 25. That means that Advent would begin in late July. And of course, in terms of weather, that's just the kind of seasonal ambiance those below the equator experience. The world of commerce could still have their November-December splurge. After all, the market place only celebrates some vague "holiday" - Christmas is hardly mentioned.
Of course that's not going to happen. So my second fantasy is to transfer the date of Christmas to the last Sunday in December - every year. No more Christmas Mass schedules bumping up against Advent IV and creating a marathon that makes Santa's annual sleigh ride look easy.
...I think I've wondered off-topic. Forgive me. That's what that muzak does to me: a lot of the holly-jolly tunes stuff leave me feeling a little blue - and I know I'm not alone in that.
Just helps sometimes to get it off your chest. Thanks for listening!
I totally agree. 103.3 the oldies station has been playing no stop Christmas music since way before T'giving. I refuse to listen to it. I think Christmas would be best if it were a religious holiday and gives could be given only to those in need. This will never happen but we can dream can't we ???
ReplyDeleteAnonymous wrote:
ReplyDelete"This will never happen but we can dream can't we ???"
Well, we could do more than dream. We could break the viscious cycle and do just what you suggest: give only to those in need. I did this myself a few years back, but have fallen back into the old patterns - but simpler than before. I'm in a bind this year. I like your idea, but this summer I did most of my (simple) Christmas shopping while on vacation!
At the school where I teach, we have a twist on Secret Santa that might appeal to you and your readers. After choosing names,if you want to do the traditional little gift for the four before vacation, you do. On the last school day, we have a staff breakfast where we give our colleague a gift we believe he/she would have enjoyed as a child. After laughs (and sometimes a few tears)these are brought to the women's shelter in town for any kids spending the holidays there. There are many of us who forego the little gifts and simply bring a toy for the kids at the shelter. I've done it both ways and though the little gift thing can be an aggravation (bad short term memory!), it is more fun and makes the shopping for a child's gift more personal when I have a specific person in mind.
ReplyDeleteI admit to being a Christmas music junkie...I cannot wait to load them onto the iPod and drag the CD's out into the car. BUT what I enjoy during the Advent season are more spiritually based than "jolly holly-dayish". Some favorites are:
ReplyDeleteKathy Mattea: Good News
John Michael Talbot: The Birth of Christ
David Haas: Star Child
Cast Recording: Child of the Promise
and I am always drawn to good renditions of O Holy Night...my father's favorite...my current favorite is one done by Celtic Woman
I also dilike all the "holly jolly" Christmas tunes, but I love the traditional, spiritual songs.
ReplyDeleteCan I add one CD to your list?
Josh Groban's new Christmas CD. It's beautiful!
Apparently none of you have young children in your households! I, too, prefer the more spiritual music, but also enjoy the secular as well.
ReplyDelete