Have you ever thought about the wisdom contained in Christmas songs? Frosty the Snowman teaches us the value of SPF. Pedestrian safety is the moral of Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. And we certainly can’t leave out the song that encourages us all, but especially children, to behave: Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
This year, though, is a year that requires more wisdom, encouragement, and discernment. When songwriters Hugh Martin and Ralph Blaine penned the original Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas in 1944, they had no idea the value of that song in this Christmas season in 2020. Written for Judy Garland’s character to sing in Meet Me in St. Louis, the song’s original lyrics were morose and anything but merry. The reworking of the song still conveyed sadness but also brought forth a sense of hope.
Because the song is under copyright, and I’m not looking to break any laws this Christmas, I urge you to take a moment to truly listen to the lyrics of this very famous song. In a time when the CDC, government agencies, doctors, and hospitals are pleading with Americans to make the hard choice and choose a smaller Christmas this year, the lyrics couldn’t be more spot on. They speak to the hope and lighter days we have ahead. They remind us, though we may not be able to be with all of our family and friends this holiday season, we will be able to get together again.
This isn’t meant to be political. And on December 23 it may be words written too late. I want Tennessee to be number one for many things like Titans football, Predators hockey, and tourism. I don’t want to continue to see our state at the top of the COVID-19 pandemic. With that, grab a cup of Christmas cheer, pop in your AirPods, and listen to your favorite version of this classic Christmas song (my personal favorite is Ella Fitzgerald’s). Let the lyrics really speak to you. It’s not too late to choose a little Christmas now to keep the traditions alive in years to come.