Comments on: What does Christmas mean for you? http://www.thecriticalcondition.com/2009/12/23/xmas/ Awesome Reviews of Movies, Music, and TV Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:11:14 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Michael http://www.thecriticalcondition.com/2009/12/23/xmas/comment-page-1/#comment-7492 Michael Tue, 29 Dec 2009 04:01:53 +0000 http://www.thecriticalcondition.com/?p=2599#comment-7492 Maybe I'm unusual in Mark's readership in having been actively religious for most of my adult life (not now, but that's another story). For me, Christmas always had its family gathering/Christmas decorations/special foods/surprise gifts meanings, but for me that was always deepened by contemplation of the Christmas story, and all of its sobering implications: the possibility of divinity blooming among the poor and outcast, the danger of tyranny to goodness and innocence, the melancholy path Jesus was to tread. All of that gave the silent-night part of the celebration a privately serious resonance. So it wouldn't be Christmas for me without certain traditional carols--Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel; Silent Night; It Came Upon a Midnight Clear; and traditional holiday songs like God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. Favorite recording? Baltimore Consort's Bright Day Star, traditional instruments and a range of carols recalling a range of celebrations. Maybe I’m unusual in Mark’s readership in having been actively religious for most of my adult life (not now, but that’s another story). For me, Christmas always had its family gathering/Christmas decorations/special foods/surprise gifts meanings, but for me that was always deepened by contemplation of the Christmas story, and all of its sobering implications: the possibility of divinity blooming among the poor and outcast, the danger of tyranny to goodness and innocence, the melancholy path Jesus was to tread. All of that gave the silent-night part of the celebration a privately serious resonance. So it wouldn’t be Christmas for me without certain traditional carols–Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel; Silent Night; It Came Upon a Midnight Clear; and traditional holiday songs like God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. Favorite recording? Baltimore Consort’s Bright Day Star, traditional instruments and a range of carols recalling a range of celebrations.

]]> By: Madge http://www.thecriticalcondition.com/2009/12/23/xmas/comment-page-1/#comment-7489 Madge Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:09:30 +0000 http://www.thecriticalcondition.com/?p=2599#comment-7489 For nostalgia and wistfulness and being grateful for what I have, I love Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton. Yeah, I said it. For nostalgia and wistfulness and being grateful for what I have, I love Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton. Yeah, I said it.

]]> By: BHL http://www.thecriticalcondition.com/2009/12/23/xmas/comment-page-1/#comment-7486 BHL Sun, 27 Dec 2009 04:06:01 +0000 http://www.thecriticalcondition.com/?p=2599#comment-7486 Whenever I can't go home for Christmas, Joni Mitchell's "River" works for me. It gives my sulking context. Also, Faith Hill's "Where are You Christmas" just gets to me because it represents getting older, and searching for that absolute joy that just seemed automatic when I was a (very lucky) kid (with a fantastic family). But yes, I agree with you on "All I Want for Christmas (is you)" I frickin' love that one! Whenever I can’t go home for Christmas, Joni Mitchell’s “River” works for me. It gives my sulking context.

Also, Faith Hill’s “Where are You Christmas” just gets to me because it represents getting older, and searching for that absolute joy that just seemed automatic when I was a (very lucky) kid (with a fantastic family).

But yes, I agree with you on “All I Want for Christmas (is you)” I frickin’ love that one!

]]> By: Shissher http://www.thecriticalcondition.com/2009/12/23/xmas/comment-page-1/#comment-7479 Shissher Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:54:41 +0000 http://www.thecriticalcondition.com/?p=2599#comment-7479 "Bells Will Be Ringing," sung by the Eagles, is the perfect Christmas song in my opinion. I tend to get kind of down around the holidays, and a bluesy song is just the ticket to make me feel better. The poor guy is alone over Christmas, begging his wife or girlfriend to please come to see him, at least by New Years ... what's worse than that? Makes me feel better somehow. The same goes for Joni Mitchell's "River." God that song breaks my heart. "White Christmas," starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney is fun to watch, and I have to admit I cry every time, when the General greets his troops. It's really sappy, but I love the musical numbers, and anything with Rosemary Clooney is alright with me. “Bells Will Be Ringing,” sung by the Eagles, is the perfect Christmas song in my opinion. I tend to get kind of down around the holidays, and a bluesy song is just the ticket to make me feel better. The poor guy is alone over Christmas, begging his wife or girlfriend to please come to see him, at least by New Years … what’s worse than that? Makes me feel better somehow.

The same goes for Joni Mitchell’s “River.” God that song breaks my heart.

“White Christmas,” starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney is fun to watch, and I have to admit I cry every time, when the General greets his troops. It’s really sappy, but I love the musical numbers, and anything with Rosemary Clooney is alright with me.

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