Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others,
Is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in blessing,
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart’s possessing,
Returns to you glad.
-John Greenleaf Whittier, American poet (1807 –  1892)

 

A friend said recently she ‘hated Christmas music’….I said ‘you’re not listening to the right music!’ I assured her that it may be an acquired taste, but the joy of it can quite simply change your attitude.

 

I absolutely, positively love holiday music….in fact it’s kind of an obsession as I start playing it around Halloween.

 

My playlist includes both traditional and unusual everything from contemporary and best-loved crooners to jazz, blues, country and Cajun.

Who sings the best Silent Night? (Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland) Who manages to draw out a perfect rendition of Baby It’s Cold Outside? (Kellie Willis & Bruce Robison) What’s not to love about Christmas on the Bayou on Alligator Record Christmas Collection, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Loren Schoenberg on A Jazz Christmas), White Christmas (Frank Sinatra) and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (She & Him on A Very Christmas)?

 

You can either cry and smile when you hear Rod Stewart and Ella Fitzgerald on Merry Christmas, Baby sing What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? Whatever emotion is rendered to you, you’ll be glad you listened to that album.

 

The Grinch acted as if he hated Christmas — the whole Christmas season — and the music annoyed him the most saying ‘It’s joyful and triumphant.’ That’s exactly the point, it lifts the soul, inspires your kindness and transports a spirit of giving and sharing.

 

The holidays are a lovely time of year. I hope you’ll start your own playlist and take pleasure in the musical riches that so many remarkable musicians, songwriters and singers have created over the years.

 

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

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by PAMELA HULSE ANDREWS Cascade A&E Publisher