Of Christmas Carol Encounters

I have had some pretty interesting experiences with Christmas music in the past couple of years. So interesting, in fact, that I decided to blog about them! How lucky, right?

Last year, despite the fact that I was extremely excited for Christmas as a whole, I had this weird anti-Christmas music-complex thing going on. It was so strange! Music is one of the most wonderful gifts that has been given to mankind, and Christmas music, specifically, helps invite the Spirit in the same way that gospel and classical music can. I really just don't know why I was doing that last year. I wasn't completely against ALL Christmas music - I just didn't want to hear any of the generic/classic Christmas songs. Last year I was all about the ones that you don't hear very often or, at least, not as much. But I did NOT want to hear Joy to the World, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Let it Snow, Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, etc. What a Grinch!

This year has been special in that it is exactly the opposite of last year! You see, certain members of my household were rigidly against the playing, singing, humming, or whistling of Christmas music anytime before December 1st. I don't have a specific day that I start listening to Christmas music, but I can tell you it's somewhere around November 1st! Even so, I abided by the wishes of those around me, and I have not played a single Christmas song in my house until today. I have sung one occasionally, when it just couldn't be suppressed any longer! And I have definitely been listening to the Christmas radio station in my car for the last few weeks. Anyway, the point is that I have again learned to love and relish in the classic, jaded Christmas songs that have been around for decades, simply because I was not allowed to listen to them for so long! Since Christmas music was forbidden in my household, my desire to listen to all those wonderfully classic yuletide tunes has increased a hundred-fold, and Christmas cheer has once again been instilled in my heart and soul!

You know what they say - all's well that ends well! :)