Friday, December 18, 2009

Haunting Christmas

Cassandra Wilson gives us a lovely, mournful alternative to the frantic drumbeat of a corporate Christmas season.

If there is any truth behind the Christ story, any meaning to Christmas at all, it is that life is unutterable tragedy redeemed by our love of, and sacrifice for, each other. As, so it is said, that God so loved us that he sacrificed her (his? its? How the hell does an infinite being have a freaking gender?) own child for all of us.

I don't know how you can find that all holly-jolly and Wenceslausy. But that's just me.

And here's Ray Charles with a little more traditional - but soulful - take on the occasion.Not a bad idea, the thought that Christmas music should be a little bluesy. When you think of it, being a little baby born with the weight of the world on your shoulders and the knowledge of your own death is a pretty good reason to sing the blues.

Have a lovely pre-Xmas weekend!

1 comment:

Lisa said...

I agree. The meaning is not to be found in an often-forced jollity, but rather the somber facts of the myth. We're ostensibly celebrating the birth of someone who got crucified, for gawd's sake! Why? Because yer all a bunch of wonky sinners!

So what do we do? Go out carousing getting blotto at office parties and buying far too much stuff. Committing at least deadly sins 1, 2, 4 and 5.

That's what the holiday is. Total hypocrisy, unless one remembers the meaning you impute to it.