Seasonal Music

This subject is really where I find feelings to be the strongest, and the most divided.  On the one hand, the shopping malls have been playing “seasonal music” (as opposed to “Christmas music – I mean, there is nothing    Christmas-y about Winter Wonderland, Frosty the Snowman or Here We Come A-Caroling) since the day after Halloween.  Lot’s of people hold that somehow, once it becomes December that it is effectively Christmas, and they want to sing/hear the music.  Being culturally Christmas, folks want to sing Silent Night once the first greenery goes up in their church.  These are also the people who want to shut it all down December 26.  As anxious as they were about the music and the trappings prior to Christmas, they are the ones who let out a “Whew!  I’m glad that’s over,” as soon as the last gift has been unwrapped.

The other side of the coin is that we remember that we are involved in a time of anticipation.  The Nativity is coming closer.  But it is not here yet.  It is interesting that we don’t have a similar conflict in the church’s other great feast – Easter.  The church has a clearly-defined season that takes place prior to the day itself.  And, we do a fairly good job of observing that time.  The introspection, self-denial and prayer stay focused on the emphases of those days.  Passion Hymns take us right up to Easter Vigil.  Then, we sing with joy and gusto “Christ the Lord is Risen Today!” 

However, Advent has trouble claiming its distinctiveness.  Our culture is hesitant to let it be a kettle that sits on its own bottom.  There is a hurry to get to Christmas.

But, in these days, we can savor O come, O Come, Emmanuel, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates, Hail to the Lord’s Anointed, People, Look East, Even So Come or I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light.  These texts beautifully capture the spirit of this time and they do so within the rich tradition of our faith.  The argument, “There just aren’t enough anticipatory hymns to fill out the season” is rubbish.  In addition, to treat these marvelous lyrics as if they don’t exist is aesthetically negligent and just bad stewardship.

I think we should sing no carol before its time.