Christmas Songs

"Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year ….."
            - 'Christmas Time is Here', Charlie Brown Christmas

Yes it's that time of year in which I hide as much as I can from the secular Christmas. I was shocked to find that some radio stations that play the non-stop Christmas music for the season did not even have the decency to wait until after Thanksgiving (US) to start playing 'Jingle Bell Rock'. I shudder (a lot).

This year is especially hard to enjoy the overly joyous occasion considering the year I had to content with ( the loss of my nephew and of a job to name of few). But I fully intent to have a good Christmas – when December 25^th comes around.

I will confess that I do listen to the radio stations that have non-stop Christmas music, mostly because most stations in my area play music that I do not really enjoy. One song has caught my attention, and I don't really remember it being played on the radio in years past. Namely this one: Prayer of St. Francis, (sometimes mistakenly called 'Make Me a Channel of Your Peace').  A nice, simplistic, beautiful hymn when done right.  Thing that I do not get is why is this considered a Christmas song?  My Church has often sang this song for one reason or another, but never for Christmas and I, myself, have never really considered it a Christmas song.  A head scratcher this one.

Which leads me to another point that has plagued my (sometimes) thinking mind for some years.  I find it interesting that the only time God can be mentioned in any causal conversation that won't lead to arguments or death threats is during the month of December.  Just about little more than half of the Christmas songs deal with the Incarnation and God the Father.  It's probably the safest time to be Catholic when so much Catholic Theology is being sung on the radio.  Don't believe me! Well let's take a look, shall we (please note I will focus on songs that are oft played on the radio):

Silent Night:  This German carol basically recites what occurs in the Gospel in a sweet, simple tune.  It sings of the Virgin Mother, the shepherds the angels speak to, and there's even a subtle reference to Easter.

Twelve Days of Christmas: Even though I think it's neat, I really don't believe that this song was written by English Catholics during the days of heavy persecution in Great Britain to teach the faith in secret.  For one thing, partridges are not native to Great Britain and I believe that they weren't on the island as of yet when the song was written.  But that's not the point!!  The point is it got you thinking about English Catholics and different aspects of the faith.  So ha!

God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman: An oldie but goodie English carol that, like Silent Night,

recites the events of the Gospel.  Here we are told that this event brings us 'comfort and joy', also harkening to Easter.

The First Noel/Nowell: This carol sings of the Announcement of the birth of Christ, both of the Christmas Star for the Magi and the Angels speaking to the shepherds.  This is not played as often as the other carols aforementioned, but it is heard and I have yet heard a version that has made my ears bleed. :)

Ave Maria:  This one actual surprises me with the frequency I hear it on the radio.  I am referring to the Franz Schubert version of the song.  Though not originally intended for the Latin prayer, Ave Maria, (original lyrics Ellens dritter Gesang) the prayer slipped into the melody with moving and uplifting results.

These are just a few examples of songs that I have found, and I am sure there are more out there that I have not mentioned.  But this is just to get you thinking.

I must be going now, the clink and the clank I hear is the notice that my parents have begun pulling out Christmas decorations from the attic and my cue to hide before I'm overwhelmed with merriment!!

Happy Advent!