When is it time to stop listening to Christmas music?
I just thought of something, and I’ll have to think about it for a while. We talk about Christmas being about Jesus coming to earth as a baby, being born in a manger, the shepherds, the star, the wise men, Mary and Joseph. I believe it. However, we only listen to Christmas music between Thanksgiving and New Year. Why?
I grew up listening to the old Firestone and Goodyear Christmas albums with all the stars singing their favorite songs. We still listen to them.
I don’t want to listen to “Here Comes Stanta Claus,” “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” or even “White Christmas,” in March or July. What about “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” or “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful,” or “Joy to the World?” Except for the fact the songs immediately say, “Christmas is coming!” they don’t speak of trees, presents, or mistletoe. So, maybe we should listen to them all year round. I don’t know.
So, back to the original question. When is it time to stop listening to Christmas music? When should we say, “See you next year,” to the classic introduction to “The Christmas Song,” by Nat King Cole? New Year’s Day? January 2nd? December 26th? When is it time to stop?
There are so many opportunities for listening to Christmas music, like Amazon, Pandora, and the radio stations that play 24/7 Christmas starting just after Labor Day (seems like it anyway,) it’s hard to know when it’s enough. I have been pleasantly surprised that in recent years, the radio stations have been holding out a little longer than just shutting everything down at midnight on Christmas Day.
I love listening to John Rutter’s Cambridge Singers any time of the year. I think I would also listen to some of the songs by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir long after spring has sprung.
“Once in Royal David’s City,” on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir “Ring Christmas Bells” CD, may be the most beautiful choral music I’ve ever heard. I love choirs, but, in my opinion, this song captures the best of every arrangement possible. It is stunning. Beautiful.
So much of the Christmas Season is about moods and feelings. Music helps create all of the best. It would be difficult to imagine celebrating Christmas without music.
So, after the leftovers are long gone, the pies and fudge have disappeared, and only a few dry Christmas cookies remain, is it time to shut off the music?
For me, a gradual withdrawal is best. It’s easiest to keep listening to the choral Christmas music for a while and let go of the dancing, celebrating, bell-ringing music like “Silver Bells,” and Sleigh Ride,” and put away the stack of vintage favorites on CD.
Whatever your Christmas music tradition may be, I hope it is always wonderful.
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