Ed Wood "The Right Stuff" Published Dec. 25, 2002

The music of Christmas

Did you ever think how dull the Christmas season would be without its music? And why is it that Christmas is the only holiday or festive occasion throughout the entire year that has its own distinctive music? Oh yes, we play a few patriotic songs on the 4th of July, but it's not the same. That's become more an obligation than anything else. We listen to Christmas music because we want to. And we sing it. And we sing it to others. Because it speaks to our hearts. Some FM stations have been playing it non-stop since the first of November. Still, come the day after, many of us will be saddened that our Christmas music is gone for another year.
Christmas music comes in all types and varieties. From the traditional Christmas carols, like "Silent Night" and "O' Little Town of Bethlehem," to "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"! Yet, still the message is the same. One of warmth and good cheer, and the values of hearth and home.

There are many assaults on the sanctity of Christmas these days. Each year many of our retailers depend upon Christmas generosity to save them from bankruptcy. Manger scenes are now excluded from most of our public areas. The traditional Christmas tree in New York's Rockefeller Center is now called a "holiday" tree, so as not to offend those of a different faith, while insulting those of us who still call ourselves Christians. Yet, through it all, it's the music that sustains the real meaning of the season. That in the end, goodness will prevail and everything will work out all right.

Judy Garland tells us to "Have yourself a merry little Christmas, and make the Yuletide bright for next year all your troubles will be out of sight." Who would have ever heard of chestnuts roasting on an open fire were it not for Nat King Cole? And who can possibly forget Bing Crosby's "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas just like the ones we used to know"? This Irving Berlin composition gave real hope to our service men and women serving in the South Pacific during World War II. And yes, it is just as meaningful today to those serving in the Persian Gulf. Far from home. Far from family.

Perry Como sings, "There's no place like home for the holidays no matter how far away we roam." And for those of us who can't make it home this year, Karen Carpenter laments, "I'll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams."

Lest we forget the true meaning of the season, the bell-like voice of teenager Charlotte Church reminds us that something over 2,000 years ago, there were those who were awed by an "O Holy Night." The night that brought us the birth of a Savior. The night that brought hope to a lost world.

Please take your family to one of the lovely Christmas music presentations that are everywhere this time of year. A more blessed experience I could not wish for you this joyous holiday season.

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Ed Wood is a resident of Sparta, TN. His column is published each Wednesday in the Crossville Chronicle.