Having entered into December, it is, by all accounts, time for Christmas music. I know that because I have been hearing it for weeks now. The stores have long ago been playing it and put up their Christmas decorations and displays, airports and hotels have too. Heck, they lit the trees at the Capital and at Rockefeller Center. Yep, its Christmas music time. I’ll wear out my play list and add some new songs.
There is, of course, a plethora of Christmas music. So, where do I start? Ignoring those early adopters who have been blasting me with “jingle sells” music for weeks now, what is the first official listen that opens my Christmas music season? It is a close call, but for me, the first Christmas song played is the last one I play each year before I retire my Christmas play list — A Christmas Wish, performed by Asleep At The Wheel. My understanding is that it was written by the late Johnny Gimble, a legendary fiddle player. I like it because it openly recognizes and embraces the bridge between secular and religious Christmas, between Santa Claus and the birth of Jesus. It allows both to exist, both to be celebrated, with the agreed end being the desire for the season to be giving and receiving, yes, but giving and receiving of more than packages with ribbons and bows.
“May Santa fill your stocking, and Jesus fill your heart
With peace and joy this season, and when the new year starts
May his love lead and guide you, every step of the way
And every day, of every year, become thanksgiving day
May friends and family gather, to celebrate his birth
With songs of praise and glory, and prayers for peace on earth
His grace and love will keep us, if we’ll only believe
So trust in him throughout the year, as well as Christmas Eve
So every day, of every year, becomes thanksgiving day.”
Happy Holidays. Merry Christmas. Let the music begin – even that horrid “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer!”
It occurs to me... 