Chamblee54

When you live in the USA you hear christmas carols. It is a part of the season. Many people enjoy them, but some do not. To some, Jesus Worship religion, and Jesus, are sources of unhappiness. The birth of Jesus is nothing to celebrate.
The melodies of christmas carols do sound pretty, and sometimes the singing is pleasant. Many people simply don’t pay attention to the lyrics. When they do, they might be in for a surprise.
If you find discomfort in these lyrics, don’t expect anyone to care. Jesus worshipers think they are right, and everyone else is wrong. Those on the fence tell you to ignore it. There are reasons why so many find the holiday season to be torture.
Once, PG was in a group of people singing christmas carols in a VA hospital. This is an event with the best of intentions…to bring a bit of cheer to people in a hospital. The trouble started when PG paid attention to some of the lyrics . “G-d rest ye merry, gentlemen//Let nothing you dismay//Remember, Christ, our Saviour//Was born on Christmas day//To save us all from Satan’s power//When we were gone astray .”
One, Jesus was probably born in the springtime. The date near the Winter solstice was chosen for political reasons. Two, a lot of us do not consider him to be “our savior”. Three, what is this business about “Satan’s power”?Four, maybe we are doing things right, and don’t need a man made “savior” to keep us from going astray. Yea, these lyrics really lead to “tidings of comfort and joy”. More like discomfort and misery, which is what Jesus means to PG.
In the last few years, the Jesus worshipers are getting more aggressive about wanting the winter holidays to be all about them. The largely secular christmas seasons of years past were fine and dandy. The church people talk about Jesus, the merchants sell presents, some eat and drink too much, and a good time is had by all. Now, with the war on christmas, it is yet another excuse for people to argue. Peace on earth, and goodwill towards men, are obsolete.
With this in mind, a facebook friend posted a video by Annie Lennox singing, what else, “G-d rest yea merry gentlemen” The following dialog resulted. You get three guesses which comment was by PG.
—I like the thought, but couldn’t listen to it. That song is among the worst for obnoxious religious lyrics.
— Luther, unfortunately, almost all the good carols are written for the christian holiday. There are hardly enough good secular carols to even make a CD. I’ve always wondered why Neo-pagans don’t write better music. Dogmatic zeal inspires a certain drama and energy I suppose. I’ve learned enjoy, without believing.
—Yes. Typically when one uses the phrase “Christmas carols” you may be sure the songs are about Christmas. Luther and Bruce…tough toenails!
Pictures are from The Library of Congress.