One of "Those" People

Two weeks ago 97.3 stopped playing their “classy” music and started playing Christmas music.  I was thrilled.  I no longer had to listen to The Backstreet Boys, Carly Rae Jespson, or Savage Garden.  I was now listening to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, David Archuleta, Josh Groban, along with other artist back from before I was born. 

Two hours after they started playing Christmas songs someone switched the station.  We were back listening to what was popular now.  I groaned inside.  When I asked why the station had been switched one of my co-workers said, “We can’t listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving!”  Several times after that I voiced my opinion that I didn’t mind Christmas music a few weeks before Thanksgiving.  “Oh, you’re one of those people,” my coworkers said. 

Yes, I am one of those people. 

I’ve noticed there are very few of those people in the world.  When we finally started listening to Christmas music at work I had several patients complain that radio stations were already playing Christmas music.  “It’s not even Thanksgiving yet!” 

I can understand where they are coming from.  I didn’t always listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving.  In my mind if I listened to Christmas music, put up Christmas decorations, made fudge, or did anything Christmasy before the fourth Thursday in November I was forgetting all about Thanksgiving.  

I have come to realize that those people, myself included, are not forgetting all about Thanksgiving at all when the lights go up or the holiday music turns on before Thanksgiving.

This is why.

What does Christmas represent? 

Look at the word.  Christ.  Mas.  Christ’s Mass.   Meaning Christ’s sacrament—the eating of bread representing Christ’s body, and drinking of water or wine representing His blood. 

Nearly everything, including the worldly things about Christmas, points to Christ. 

·      The presents under the tree represent the gifts the wise men gave to Christ, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

·      The candy cane represents the staffs the shepherds held as they beheld the Christ child.  The red and white stripes representing the pure life Christ lived (white), and the blood He spilt for us in Gethsemane and on the cross (red).  

·      An evergreen tree is put up in nearly every house.  To me green represents new life.  Each of us have a new life in Christ.  All the needles on the tree point upward, reminding us to always look heavenward in all things we do.   

·      Santa Claus.  Though some may view Santa Claus as very worldly in this season of Christ, I don’t.  I believe he possesses many Christ-like attributes.  When, in any traditional story is Santa Claus ever selfish?  Never.  He spends all year conducting his elves in making toys for good boys and girls.  He encourages children to be good throughout the year. How many times did you hear mom and dad say, “Santa is going to put coal in your stocking and bring you no presents if you don’t behave”?  On the foggy Christmas Eve when Santa realized he would be unable to fly his sleigh because he could not see where he was going, he only thought of the children who would not receive their presents that year (thank goodness for Rudolph!).  He never thought about himself that night.  Santa doesn’t get a paycheck for how many toys he delivers.  When you picture Santa Claus do you see him as a grouch, or a happy jolly man?  Christ tells us to “Be of good cheer” (D&C 68:6).  Santa Claus is always of good cheer.

There are the traditions associated with Christmas that give us that warm, good, peaceful feeling.  Giving and receiving create a spirit of love and friendship.  Cracking open the old family recipe book and attempting to make great grandmas homemade pie or fudge.  Oh what fun and memories!  Ding dong ditching unsuspecting neighbors, watching as the kids answer the door and scream in delight at the plate of goodies left for them. It’s a time to lend a hand to those who don’t have as much as we do, a time to smile at strangers.  Often, Christmas is a time for families to get together.  Don’t forget all the unique traditions your family has each Christmas.  

We always have a marshmallow gun war on Christmas Eve!

A few Christmas songs that put me in mind of the Spirit of Christmas: “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” “Sleigh Ride,” and “The Christmas Song.”

Let’s not forget the Christmas stories.

The Little Drummer Boy who went to see the Christ child.  He had nothing to give his Savior but a humble beat on his drum. 

A Christmas Carol where old Scrooge learns a very important lesson on the value of life.  He changes his life to bless others.

In The Gift of the Magi Della selflessly sells her beautiful hair in order to purchase a chain for her husband’s prized watch, only to realize that he had selflessly sold his watch to buy beautiful combs for her hair.

Elf.  I love Buddy.  How can you not love an elf-want-to-be who reminds New York, and especially his father, the importance of family and of believing?

And one of my favorites, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  The Grinch had a change of heart, and the Whos never lost sight of the real reason they celebrated Christmas.

 

Then there are the Christmas songs, which speak of Christ.  Those Christmas songs that bring the Spirit of Christmas—the Spirit of Christ.  It’s true that when I hear Christmas songs I’m reminded of all things Christmas.  I’m reminded of the Savior.  If it were not for Him then there would be no hope in this world.  There would be more despair and depression then there already is.  If He was not born then He could not have suffered and died.  If He had not suffered and died all mankind would be lost spiritually and physically.  There would be no way we could possibly return to our Father in Heaven and live happily with Him and our families forever. 

When I hear Christmas music two weeks before Thanksgiving I don’t get mad or irritated anymore.  I feel the Spirit of Christmas.  This Spirit only enhances my celebration of Thanksgiving.   I’m reminded that without the Savior I would have nothing to be grateful for. 

I am foremost thankful for my Savior, for my family, for the hope I have in my life, for my faith, for the education and knowledge I have, for the love I feel from family and friends, and of course my wonderful husband.  I am thankful for the wonderful life I have because of the Savior. I’m also thankful for the temporal things in life: my body pillow, heat pads, yummy holiday food, a warm apartment, my crockpot, and books, just to name a few. 

I’m not asking you to become one of those people who listens to Christmas music two weeks before Thanksgiving.  I am asking you to not get mad when this happens.  Remember that the music brings the Spirit of Christmas into our lives; it turns our hearts and thoughts to the Savior.  Without Him would there be anything to be thankful for on Thanksgiving?

A few of my favorite Christmas songs

“Christmastime” by Hilary Weeks

“The First Noel” by Cherie Call

“Christmas Canon” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

“Sleigh Ride”

“Mr. Grinch” by The Coats

“Joy to the World”

“Stars Were Gleaming”

“Silver Bells” by Hilary Weeks

 “Go Tell It On the Mountain” by The Duttons