Herb’s Blog, Herbdate 22191 – 755:
Here’s the haps:
Last year on Christmas Day I posted “Merry Xmas!” and was able to reason with the torch-bearing mob by explaining that putting an “X” in Christmas has been going on for a long time and in and of itself is not really a big deal. Really, I think most people who lay claim to a Christian faith of any sort know and understand that the holiday has been highjacked by greed for a very long time now. Some even care.
“Herb,” I heard someone in the back say, “What are you doing‽ Don’t you normally do your Christmas rants after Givethanksing Day‽” That’s a good question. I’m really glad you asked me that question. I can even sort of answer that question.
I’m annoyed. It’s not even Curmudgeonly Monday, yet, but I’m annoyed anyway.
November 1st is when a lot of retailers, including my employer, start playing the overhead Christmas music. Some radio stations also do it. I got on the walkie-talkie to my co-workers and said, “Back in the olden times when I first started in retail, There was no Christmas merchandise or decorations out until the day after Thanksgiving and definitely no Christmas music.”
“That was back in your day. We do things different now.”
* Heavy Sigh * Okay, okay. I get that. I hate it, but I get it. But here’s my thing; I will not ever, from now until Xmas day, hear anything about the Birthday Boy. No Silent Night, or God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, or Away In A Manger, or anything even remotely like that. Uh-uh, nosirreebob, none of that stuff. Can’t take the chance of offending some celebrant who might be a paying customer, or worse, smite their conscience for a minute or two into wondering what it’s all about and whether the $75 “My First Karaoke Machine” will really satisfy the little one or make them think about whose birthday it is. God forbid!
No, we will hear songs about how Santa will be bringing lots of presents. We may hear about how Christmases were in the past at home, anything like that, but not God coming to earth and being born as a baby. Jingle the Bells Frosty the Snowman, but don’t say Jesus or Christ Child or Holy One or anything remotely “religious.” Not even, “O Christmas Tree.”
Now, a lot of places also will not be playing any version of, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” which doesn’t really affect me a whole lot. I can hear and understand both sides of the argument, that it glorifies date rape or that it is more about seduction. Either way, it’s not really about Christmas, so why would I bother writing about it or worse, fighting about it. I have heard multiple versions of the song, including a female lead, and it really kind of depends on the artists involved. I do have to make a caveat about one version of the song that I heard which I really enjoy. It was on the Robertson’s, “Duck the Halls” album (which is well worth hearing, especially the song, “Camouflage and Christmas Lights.”) and done by Jase and Missy who are married.
Ashley over at Pinned Blessings, a longtime reader of both my drivel and my genius, who comments here sometimes, gave me a link to this song, which is my holiday theme song:
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