Christmas is already in the air and can be heard everywhere with the Christmas songs we love. But is it premature? Opposing views take on the topic.
Ali Burdick:
It is almost that time of the year again—stores start putting up their holiday window displays, Starbucks smells of those delicious peppermint mochas again, and Christmas music starts playing everywhere you go. With the holidays approaching, it seems like everyone is getting into that Christmas spirit. There are a few grinches out there every year, however, complaining that Christmas music should not be played before Thanksgiving. Of course, it is understandable that some people choose not to get into the Christmas spirit before Thanksgiving, but why rag on those who are so excited that they start a little early?
Listening to Christmas music in mid-November has always been a bit of a tradition in my household, so, of course, I love to hear the cheerful music playing in stores and cafes early in the month. Hearing classics such as Andy Williams’ Christmas album as well as more contemporary artists like Michael Buble, can make any ordinary day feel like a spirited, wintery day full of that Christmas magic—even when you live in Florida and it does not typically fall below 65 degrees. I can see why some people may find it a bit over the top to begin playing holiday music even before the month of December, but personally, why ruin the fun for everyone else? Christmas music brings out the holiday spirit for everyone, and it is always nice to hear that cheerful music playing and know that Christmas will be here soon.
For me, Christmas is not just about my faith, but also about my family, friends and finding compassion within myself for others no matter what the circumstance. Of course, I try to practice this outside of the holiday season as well, but why not let the Christmas season inspire my compassion even more? Even as I sit in Starbucks writing this article, I can hear the Christmas music playing softly in the background, and it honestly makes me pretty happy. Just knowing that Christmas, a time for faith, forgiveness, compassion and hope is right around the corner inspires me to want to go out and do something for others. Whether it be donating to a good cause, volunteering at a soup kitchen for the homeless on a cold night, or even just giving a hardworking server an extremely generous tip, I know I will definitely be trying to give back in some way this holiday season. If Christmas music is what inspires me and others to do that, then why should anyone stop playing the cheerful holiday tunes?
Ariana M. Simpson:
‘Tis the season for fa la la la la’s, mistletoe, precipitation of some sort of snow, and that red-nosed reindeer. Ahh, can you feel it? Taste it? See it? Hear it? Well, I sure as heck can—we all can. It’s burrowing into our receptors and vibrating in our ear drums: Christmas music. Joy. Joy. Joy…
Christmas, yet again, prematurely etches its way onto shelves and eases into the airwaves via radio satellite, unremorsefully shoving Thanksgiving by the wayside and claiming our undivided interests to feed its hunger and lust for embryonic seasonal attention. Oh boy, am I ailing of premature Christmas music. Forget satire, I am being austere. ‘Tis not the season for “Jingle Bells” to jangle in my ear.
Each year, it is undoubtedly noted that Christmas music sweeps further and further up the time-chimney from its designated dust-free niche in December to November and as of late, October. Sure, Christmas music is catchy, harmonically beautiful, and “such a delight to listen to” but with its heavy relativity to winter, autumn almost ceases to exist and Thanksgiving dwindles into a 40-minute history lesson with turkeys and orange leaves in an elementary school classroom. Not only does it overshadow Thanksgiving, but by blasting it’s “jolly” music so early, Christmas’ exquisite essence slowly starts to die. It is heard time and time again as many grow tired of hearing the same archaic classics turned covers, instrumental, metal, or what have you for a little over two months—don’t deny it doesn’t drag over into January along with the decorations. Ignoring the pagan roots of Christmas as well as its religious aspects, it has evolved into a holiday that ideally centers on family harmony and oneness with those you love and sharing this love with strangers.
How opportune for a limited time of utopian universal kindness presented as a holiday to fall after another holiday loosely based on a story in which we acknowledge our blessings. We would appreciate all that we have beyond the tangible, but also recognize how fortunate we are to have those materialistic possessions. Enjoy the changing of seasons and colors with our loved ones to welcome yet another time of celebration as the bells chime and choirs sing of angels we have heard on high and the baby in the manger.
So, maybe, this is a bit Horation, but to put things into perspective, Christmas postponing its tunage would be ideal and appropriate. It is not always great for good things to come prematurely. Babies, fruits, deadlines, death, and periods…hello! Christmas is like a baby that is just awaiting its designated arrival or banana ripening in season. Good times come in season and remain that much more special in their realm. So before we get our panties in a bunch in defending Christmas music coming early, let us all imagine ourselves being the choirs and orchestras who have to learn incessant versions of that music at the end of September and radio stations enduring 50 mediocre versions of “Joy to the World.” ‘Tis not the season! (As I write—rant—about Christmas music before Christmas…)
The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandspur, its staff or Rollins College.
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