Christmas Cheer

I’ve been thinking a lot about Christmas Cheer.

Life hasn’t exactly been a box of chocolates for a lot of folks. Since 2020, there’s been a lot of turmoil in the world. Personally, I’ve had a year full of worry about what the future will bring.

Looking back on the past, there’ve been a lot of Christmases marked by tragedy or sadness, and a lot of Christmas music to ease that sadness. Recorded in 1943, Bing Crosby’s “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” brings us the perspective of a WWII soldier overseas asking his family to “please have snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree.” The song is a little melancholy, but ain’t it funny how sometimes a song hits every right note? GI Magazine said Crosby accomplished “more for military morale than anyone in that era.”

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is a song that longs for yesteryears. It was preceded by “White Christmas,” another song that captures the special sadness a Christmas season can bring. While some look out their Christmas window in anticipation of the children waking up and the sounds of childhood wonder, others might be looking out with a pang of hurt, thinking of all those who couldn’t be here this year.

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” captures that same feeling. Written for Judy Garland for her musical movie Meet Me in St. Louis, the song was highly criticized for being too depressing. The lyrics were changed from “It may be your last/ Next year we all may be living in the past” to “Let your heart be light/ Next year all our troubles will be out of sight.”

So, whether you’re muddling through somehow or hanging a shining star upon the highest bough, from our house to yours, Merry Christmas.