THE MORNING RANT: I’m Missing Classic Christmas Hymns at Church Christmas Concerts

One of the seasonal treats I have always enjoyed is Christmas performances put on by choirs and orchestras, be they schoolchildren singing at the mall, or a church’s big annual Christmas concert, or a highly trained college troupe. At the risk of sounding too “Bah, humbug,” my enthusiasm for attending these performances is waning. It’s not because I no longer like the traditional Christmas standards, it’s because I miss those old Christmas standards.

While I don’t mind that choir directors want to “challenge” the audience with some new or unfamiliar Christmas tunes, I am annoyed that some of the shows I’ve attended in recent years have been virtually devoid of any familiar tunes. Even worse, some of the unfamiliar music is truly awful.

The big, local, Protestant church in my town has a beautiful tradition of putting on a Christmas show that the whole community is welcome to attend. It features an orchestra and three choirs (adult, youth, and children.) It has been a source of civic pride for many years, and my wife and I never miss it. But I may skip it this year, because if I want to hear what I consider “Christmas music” I might do better streaming a Christmas channel at home.

I’m not even saying that the show should only be songs like “Joy to the World” or “The First Noel.” I’d be thrilled to occasionally hear “Once in Royal David’s City” or some such. And if the choir director wants to challenge the audience, perhaps instead of doing some awkward patois to a Christmas calypso, the choir could perform the “Coventry Carol” with an explanation of Herod’s wrath upon hearing of the newborn king.

Back a decade ago, the performance I’m referencing included about 20 songs, of which about ten were very well-known Christmas hymns (“O Come All Ye Faithful” “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” etc), five lesser-known but recognizable songs (e.g. “Bring a Torch,” “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” ) and five completely unknown songs, several of which deserved to become better known. That was a good mix, and I enjoyed being exposed to a few new-to-me songs.

But I’d guess that last year’s show included approximately 18 unknown songs, including several “folk songs” from developing countries. The only familiar tune before the finale was one sing-along medley of favorites such as “The First Noel.” The finale was a beautiful arrangement of the Hallelujah Chorus, which was much appreciated by the crowd hungering for a familiar melody.

Among the most awkward moments were the children’s choir singing a song no one in the building had ever heard before. If there was an actual melody, it was not discernible. All that needed to be done was to let the children sing “Away in a Manger” like thousands of other children’s choirs have done before. The kids would know the tune, as would everyone in the crowd, and the parents would beam with pride watching their kids singing that beloved song.

In that same show, the youth choir tried to phonetically sing in Latin to a song no one had ever heard before, which was also difficult to watch, and difficult to listen to. Please, just let them sing “Do You Hear What I Hear.” They’ll enjoy it more, and the audience will appreciate a simple song sung well.

There is so much beautiful Christmas music out there. Having that music performed live by talented singers and musicians is a gift from the performers to the audience. That is all that is expected.

I suppose it’s sort of like attending the touring show of a prominent band or musician. The audience loves the famous hits, performed the way they have always been played, and that is what the audience has shown up to see. Being introduced to some new stuff is expected and appreciated, but there is an obligation by the performer to play the greatest hits.

Let’s keep the great canon of Christmas music alive, and let’s hear those songs performed with the dignity and reverence they deserve!

On that note, here are a few old classics that I’d love to hear performed live by a choir and orchestra:

[buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com]

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 1st!

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:00 AM (77rzZ)

2 I'll cull the otters.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:01 AM (77rzZ)

3 Otter status: Culled.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:01 AM (77rzZ)

4 You'd like my church's traditional service in this regard.

Of course I may have swung Methodist, but I still love some of the old ways...

https://youtu.be/Qrct9jiWPVE?si=U84W9E98VwM5EgVM

Posted by: Brother Tim (102mm/W59), Keeper of the Tim Continuum at December 05, 2025 11:03 AM (OUMaO)

5 I think a great question to ask would be "why were those songs chosen at the expense of traditional ones?"

I could hazard a guess.

Posted by: Rick C at December 05, 2025 11:03 AM (1zWbY)

6 Read the content, and agree!

Nothing worse than a 'jazzed up' version of a Christmas standard.

Posted by: Grapefruit LaCroix at December 05, 2025 11:03 AM (yghV0)

7 Speaking of which -

Kent State a cappella group bans white students from solo auditions

Link goes to Campus Reform:
https://tinyurl.com/mr3ane44

Posted by: Chuck Martel at December 05, 2025 11:04 AM (Dv3i1)

8 I miss singing in a church choir. My former Presbyterian church always did a Christmas cantata and an Easter cantata. It was wonderful.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:04 AM (77rzZ)

9 Yay Buck.

Posted by: alpine_beer at December 05, 2025 11:04 AM (van9r)

10 My favorite carol sounds like more of a Jewish dirge: O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:05 AM (Riz8t)

11 At least they're not singing George Michael.
Yet.

Posted by: gKWVE at December 05, 2025 11:05 AM (gKWVE)

12
"Jauchzet, frohlocket" from the Christmas Oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach

https://youtu.be/MVewzMm1uts

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 05, 2025 11:05 AM (tgvbd)

13 Old and busted: Hallelujah Chorus

New and cool: Hate You Allya Chorus

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 05, 2025 11:05 AM (L/fGl)

14 Good stuff, Buck.

I say the best Christmas hymn / sing is O Holy Night. It's the "How Great Thou Art" of Christmas songs

Posted by: Doof at December 05, 2025 11:06 AM (3CwIS)

15 Good morning all!!

Posted by: jmel at December 05, 2025 11:06 AM (RWHIh)

16 I must be spoiled, we pretty much just sing traditional Christmas hymns. I feel bad though, I just don't have the energy to add choir practices to my current schedule, so I'm not in any of church choirs this year. I miss it, but it is what it is. I will support them in the pews!

Posted by: LizLem at December 05, 2025 11:06 AM (Eng1Z)

17 If I never hear Feliz Navidad again, it'll be too soon.

Posted by: alpine_beer at December 05, 2025 11:06 AM (van9r)

18 As I get older, I tend to have all my Christmas playlists on Spotify as some variation of 'Mellow Instrumental Relaxing Christmas' music.

Of course, I still love me some old standards done by Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, etc.

Oh, and MoTab doing the Hallelujah Chorus and the Boston Pops doing their thing with 'Sleigh Ride'.

Posted by: Grapefruit LaCroix at December 05, 2025 11:06 AM (Pw4Cm)

19 We're singing "Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus" this Sunday at church.

We don't only do the old carols and hymns, but they aren't forgotten.

I'd love a service with just the old carols, though.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at December 05, 2025 11:07 AM (zjgNU)

20 To be honest there is not a Christmas song I ‘hate’. Maybe the lefty pop ones but just the words not the music.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 11:07 AM (KDPiq)

21 There's no mopin' when you're in an open sleigh-Hey!

Posted by: Jingle Ballz at December 05, 2025 11:07 AM (oftw2)

22 11 At least they're not singing George Michael.
Yet.
Posted by: gKWVE at December 05, 2025 11:05 AM (gKWVE)

Go to the store where I work and you will hear 100,000 covers of that song. Worse, they only use the chorus, 50 times per song.

I’m sorry your Boxing Day sucked but that doesn’t give you the right to torture the rest of us!

Posted by: Cow Demon at December 05, 2025 11:07 AM (6KcYW)

23 Someone once posted in this slot the most powerful performance of O Holy Night I've ever heard. When they sang "Fall on your knees", you felt it deep inside.

Posted by: t-bird at December 05, 2025 11:07 AM (XFXIk)

24
There's an infinite supply of music of any possible style, type, genre, tempo, artist or flavor on demand anytime pretty much anywhere you can get to Al Gore's Amazing Internet available via a multitude of platforms for a mere pittance.

You're welcome.

Posted by: The Patriarchy at December 05, 2025 11:07 AM (XQo4F)

25 To be honest there is not a Christmas song I ‘hate’. Maybe the lefty pop ones but just the words not the music.

Really? I Don't Want a Lot for Christmas?

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:08 AM (Riz8t)

26 Deck the halls with gasoline
Strike a match and watch it gleam
Watch the schoolhouse burn to ashes
Aren’t you glad to play with matches?

Posted by: Cow Demon at December 05, 2025 11:08 AM (6KcYW)

27 Willowed news:

Netflix won the streaming wars. From Breitbart:

“Today, Netflix, Inc. (the Company) and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Netflix will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO."

Got to beat the antitrust laws first. But I thought Paramount had it in the bag. (Paramount did too, they are TICKED.)

Posted by: LizLem at December 05, 2025 11:08 AM (Eng1Z)

28
There's an infinite supply of music of any possible style, type, genre, tempo, artist or flavor on demand anytime pretty much anywhere you can get to Al Gore's Amazing Internet available via a multitude of platforms for a mere pittance.

____________

"Not if we can stop it." - EU bureaucrats and regulators

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 05, 2025 11:08 AM (tgvbd)

29 To be honest there is not a Christmas song I ‘hate’. Maybe the lefty pop ones but just the words not the music.

Really? I Don't Want a Lot for Christmas?

Although I guess that might qualify as lefty pop music.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:09 AM (Riz8t)

30 I will not attend any church that has a bass player.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 05, 2025 11:09 AM (XvL8K)

31 17 If I never hear Feliz Navidad again, it'll be too soon.
Posted by: alpine_beer at December 05, 2025 11:06 AM (van9r)

“I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas-“

“THEN DO IT AND SHUT THE FUCK UP ALREADY!!!”

Posted by: Cow Demon at December 05, 2025 11:09 AM (6KcYW)

32 Worked at Kay-Bee Toy's Warehouse as a youth and through a few years of college when I came home for Christmas. It was a full size retail store, not the tiny ones you'd see in a mall. I have an entire Christmas Song Greatest Hits etched into my brain. Over and over and over again. And yes, Last Christmas was on that store Christmas music playlist.

Took me a while to figure out that Bruce Springsteen has TWO Christmas songs.

I lived through multiple Christmas toy sold out Armageddons. Furby, Tickle Me Elmo, PS2, Pokemon Game Boy games ....ooof.

Posted by: GigantorX at December 05, 2025 11:09 AM (Wkueo)

33 🎵
You will get a sentimental feelin'
When you hear
Voices singin', "Let's be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly"

Rockin' around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday
Everyone dancin' merrily in the new old-fashioned way 🎶

Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:10 AM (yhwo5)

34 I hope Paul McCartney does a year in purgatory for every time I've ever had to listen to the gawd-awful 'Wonderful Christmastime'.

Seriously, his crimes against music post-Beatles are too many to list.

Posted by: Grapefruit LaCroix at December 05, 2025 11:10 AM (yghV0)

35 Dominic the Christmas Donkey Is the best traditional Christmas music! Along with Pepino the Italian Mouse.

Posted by: Lou Monte Trust, Inc. at December 05, 2025 11:10 AM (oftw2)

36 Not directly Christmas as such but if your spirit is thirsty, I present Marion Williams, who will slake every pore:

https://is.gd/u2D0SA

Posted by: ... at December 05, 2025 11:10 AM (RgYBC)

37 If I never hear Feliz Navidad again, it'll be too soon.

Or see that damn Corona ad with the palm trees lit up with lights.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:10 AM (Riz8t)

38 Speaking of music . . .

IMAX CEO excited for Netflix's Narnia film because it has "contemporary" music like Pink Floyd and The Doors 😭

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 05, 2025 11:10 AM (L/fGl)

39 Do they sing "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" in churches anymore?

Posted by: t-bird at December 05, 2025 11:10 AM (XFXIk)

40 Really? I Don't Want a Lot for Christmas?
Posted by: Archimedes

Depends on what kind of lot. Some overgrown vacant lot in inner-city Detroit? Hard pass.

But a sandlot where Swedish babes are playing bikini volleyball? Yes, please!

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:11 AM (77rzZ)

41

Christmas concerts should include the largest possible number of singers and instruments and should exclusively be O Fortuna in its full length...

Posted by: Elderly Git at December 05, 2025 11:11 AM (mNUMm)

42 27 Willowed news:

Netflix won the streaming wars. From Breitbart:

“Today, Netflix, Inc. (the Company) and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Netflix will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO."

Got to beat the antitrust laws first. But I thought Paramount had it in the bag. (Paramount did too, they are TICKED.)
Posted by: LizLem at December 05, 2025 11:08 AM (Eng1Z)

There was no way they were going to let the perceived "Trump Ally" company get it instead of the one opposed to him.

Posted by: XTC at December 05, 2025 11:11 AM (UnA8+)

43 Santa Claus Is Coming To Town is THE most creepy, Orwellian carol.

“He knows when you’ve been ungood or good so be doubleplusgood for goodness’ sake”

Posted by: Cow Demon at December 05, 2025 11:11 AM (6KcYW)

44 I remember when I was in elementary school the high school choir would come thru every year singing Christmas carols, religious and non-religious. Nobody worried about offending some imaginary politically correct grinch. Good, normal times.

I also remember some of the high school girls made me feel very funny.

Posted by: Ripley at December 05, 2025 11:11 AM (PTDkx)

45 I lived through multiple Christmas toy sold out Armageddons. Furby, Tickle Me Elmo, PS2, Pokemon Game Boy games ....ooof.

Posted by: GigantorX

Working retail during Christmas season turned me toxic on secular "Christmas" music for life. Now it's traditional or GTFO.

Posted by: Brother Tim (102mm/W59), Keeper of the Tim Continuum at December 05, 2025 11:11 AM (OUMaO)

46 I will not attend any church that has a bass player.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba

What about an UPRIGHT bass player?

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:12 AM (77rzZ)

47 39 Do they sing "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" in churches anymore?
Posted by: t-bird

Right after "Christmas Shoes."

Posted by: Make it stop! at December 05, 2025 11:12 AM (XQo4F)

48
The Shepherds Farewell from L'enfance du Christ by Hector Berlioz

https://youtu.be/xI6VwhxIQ0Y

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 05, 2025 11:12 AM (tgvbd)

49 Christmas concerts should include the largest possible number of singers and instruments and should exclusively be O Fortuna in its full length...

Are torchlights and swastikas included?

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:12 AM (Riz8t)

50 I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:12 AM (yhwo5)

51 To be honest there is not a Christmas song I ‘hate’. Maybe the lefty pop ones but just the words not the music.
Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 11:07 AM (KDPiq)

I can't STAND the whiny Christmas songs.

Yeah, great, make the greatest gift the world has ever received be all about your love life.

Who wants to hear these songs? (One disclaimer, Blue Christmas is acceptable, but mainly because I think it's funny.)

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at December 05, 2025 11:12 AM (zjgNU)

52 Really? I Don't Want a Lot for Christmas?
Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:08 AM (Riz8t)

Who sings that? I don’t recognize the title.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 11:12 AM (KDPiq)

53 But I’d guess that last year’s show included approximately 18 unknown songs, including several “folk songs” from developing countries.

-------------

[From the Somali Pirate hip-hop artist "K'Naan":]

"Christmas Rapping"

Posted by: ShainS -- The Neo-Jacobins: Anarcho-Terrorism & Assassination Culture Since 1789 at December 05, 2025 11:13 AM (My0zW)

54 Ya see, that's where a lot of churches have gone totally whack. They put on these huge sparkling Christmas extravaganzas professionally set up and directed and people wonder why the simple celebration and music of Jesus' birth gets buried in the showbiz glitz.

Go to a small middle-of-the-country town church and you'll get the simple Christmas celebration you're missing.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at December 05, 2025 11:13 AM (g8Ew8)

55 >>> Oh, and MoTab doing the Hallelujah Chorus and the Boston Pops doing their thing with 'Sleigh Ride'.

If you are learning Hallelujah Chorus, MoTab has BRILLIANT sing along practice vids that break out every part. Made them during the pandemic for a worldwide Hallelujah streaming concert they were doing. I would sing along to my part in the car when I was running my errands as practice.

Posted by: LizLem at December 05, 2025 11:13 AM (Eng1Z)

56 Just like your EV posts the old ways are the best

Posted by: doug at December 05, 2025 11:13 AM (Hy+R4)

57 Unpopular opinion, pelt me with rotten tomatoes:

“Silent Night” is depressing. Hate it. And I sang it in school in English. AND the original German.

Posted by: Cow Demon at December 05, 2025 11:13 AM (6KcYW)

58 I will not attend any church that has a bass player.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba

What about an UPRIGHT bass player?
Posted by: Bulg
________

Only if he twirls it.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 05, 2025 11:13 AM (XvL8K)

59 I am especially perturbed by that new song done in reggae style with lyrics in esperanto.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 05, 2025 11:13 AM (0U5gm)

60 If I never hear Feliz Navidad again, it'll be too soon.

"The Little Drummer Boy" has entered the chat.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (77rzZ)

61 Blue Christmas

Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (yhwo5)

62 Or see that damn Corona ad with the palm trees lit up with lights.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:10 AM (Riz8t)

LOL, the beginning whistles in that ad make my dog cock her head in the most adorable manner!

Give me Handel's Messiah. I love all of the old hymns (Hark the Herald Angels Sing brought me back to Christ after a long departure), but the Messiah really encapsulates the season for me.

I'd swear God was dictating to Handel when he wrote the Messiah.

Posted by: hobbitopoly at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (k9OZB)

63 Couple of friends went to see Paul McCartney a couple of weeks ago in Houston. They said it was fairly awesome and even when the band took a break he stayed on stage and performed three songs on his own. They thought for a guy pushing 80 he was pretty incredible.

Posted by: DanMan at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (8uzBS)

64 The Mormon Tabernacle Choir did one of my most favorite Christmas cds

Posted by: Ben Had at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (sDNVV)

65 Or see that damn Corona ad with the palm trees lit up with lights.
Posted by: Archimedes

Christmas lights on palm trees.

https://is.gd/Gsa1BO

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (L/fGl)

66 Jingle Bell Rock

Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (yhwo5)

67 There was no way they were going to let the perceived "Trump Ally" company get it instead of the one opposed to him.

Netflix is politically neutral, and is interested only in quality entertain...entertain...bwahahahahaha, I can't do it.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (Riz8t)

68 7
‘ Kent State a cappella group bans white students from solo auditions’

Fuckers. That should be an automatic civil rights case.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (jbnUc)

69 I am 95% a music guy and 5% Lyrics.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (KDPiq)

70 I attended an Advent concert at my niece's school last evening.

Small school, small choir... and there were some familiar Christmas songs in there that the audience was invited to sing along with.

Which I did. Felt really good.

Posted by: Bad Andrew at December 05, 2025 11:15 AM (6qf1m)

71 Please Feed the Cat is my cat's favorite Christmas song.

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 05, 2025 11:15 AM (Wg6v7)

72 Christmas music has been a mess ever since Firestone stopped selling $1.99 Christmas albums and Santa stopped sledding on a Norelco razor.

Posted by: Old Fossil at December 05, 2025 11:15 AM (oftw2)

73 “Silent Night” is depressing. Hate it.
Posted by: Cow Demon

Wow. That's a take.

How do you feel about Kate Upton?

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:15 AM (77rzZ)

74 I really dislike that new Christmas rap song, Santa and the Three Hos.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 05, 2025 11:15 AM (0U5gm)

75 Really? I Don't Want a Lot for Christmas?
Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:08 AM (Riz8t)

Who sings that? I don’t recognize the title.

Mariah Carey, who, for some reason, still thinks she's a big star and relevant.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:15 AM (Riz8t)

76 The idea of keeping music "relevant" plagued the RCC in the 60s. New, utterly vapid folk songs, guitars (ok with the right music), rock-type music (a Who song in played in Church!), drove away many devout listeners. Or give me church services tailored for different generations.

.

Posted by: JM in Illinois at December 05, 2025 11:16 AM (PSFnA)

77 I’ll be playing my “A Scary Little Solstice” CD. The carols reworked to songs about Lovecraftian characters.

Oh, and all true Dream Theater fans will awaken early on Christmas and play the Awake CD starting at exactly 05:59:15.

Posted by: Cow Demon at December 05, 2025 11:16 AM (6KcYW)

78 On the day after Thanksgiving Mom would play the Firestone Christmas classic albums- our favorite being the Julie Andrew’s ones. Re bought the album as they had it donated so many great albums when they moved ages ago.

Posted by: Paisley at December 05, 2025 11:16 AM (7l8Bj)

79 Willowed...
360 Brian Cole is black and a leftist. . .Cole did not just happen to lean left. He worked for a bail bond operation run by his father that specialized in freeing illegal immigrants from ICE facilities and even sued Trump’s Department of Homeland Security over immigration policy. Weeks before he allegedly planted the pipe bombs, a court ruled against the family’s company in that lawsuit targeting the Trump administration.
Posted by: rickb223 at December 05, 2025 10:51 AM (9bIJg)

Interestingly, he also kept buying materials to make bombs AFTER the attempted bombing for a few weeks and then stopped. So, he obviously was pissed it wasn't getting noticed and wanted to try again...and then someone figured him out (dad? mom? feds?) and told him to stop...at least, how else do you describe someone committed to more who just...stops...
Posted by: Nova Local at December 05, 2025 11:01 AM (tOcjL)

So, someone made him Silent the Night...okay, it's under 100, so I had to connect...

Posted by: Nova Local at December 05, 2025 11:16 AM (tOcjL)

80 Two Christmases working at Walmart were excruciating for me. Endless loop of absolutely awful Christmas tunes, none of it being traditional.

I minimize any shopping during the Christmas season because of that auditory butt-rape. Such garbage.

Posted by: Pug Mahon at December 05, 2025 11:16 AM (PSEDc)

81 I suppose it’s sort of like attending the touring show of a prominent band or musician. ....but there is an obligation by the performer to play the greatest hits.

I may have told this story before. About a hundred years or so ago, I was at a show headlined by Merle Haggard. After waiting through about 2 hours of "up and coming" acts, Merle took the stage. After a few songs, he played the opening bars of one of his many hits. As soon as the audience recognized the song and applauded, he stopped abruptly and smirked. After 30 seconds or so of awkward silence, he would start another recognizable hit. Again, the audience applauded and he stopped. After the third or fourth time, I realized that he was basically mocking the audience for being fans. I still like a lot of his music but since that moment, I've considered him a sh*tbird personally.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 05, 2025 11:16 AM (3nLb4)

82 More Willowed News:
Apple News ping: CDC has decided to end the recommendation that babies get Hep B shots within 24 hours of birth.

Normies: wait, babies were getting HEP B SHOTS?

Posted by: LizLem at December 05, 2025 11:16 AM (Eng1Z)

83 Think I read that Alvin and the Chipmunks are coming out with a new album this year.

Posted by: David Seville at December 05, 2025 11:17 AM (oftw2)

84 The Mormon Tabernacle Choir did one of my most favorite Christmas cds
Posted by: Ben Had

Is that the one with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic? Because that is truly awesome.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:17 AM (77rzZ)

85 66 Jingle Bell Rock
Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (yhwo5)

Jingle Bell Crock

Posted by: Cow Demon at December 05, 2025 11:17 AM (6KcYW)

86 67 There was no way they were going to let the perceived "Trump Ally" company get it instead of the one opposed to him.

Netflix is politically neutral, and is interested only in quality entertain...entertain...bwahahahahaha, I can't do it.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (Riz8t)

As I said in the morning thread, I want to see Netflix combine the WWE and CNN.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2025 11:17 AM (uWKK8)

87 Cadillac Flash Christmas cd is a regular listen this time of year. Thank you Mr. Bass Man.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 05, 2025 11:17 AM (sDNVV)

88 Listen, I know there is some hate out there for Feliz Navidad, but lemme tell you what...

Attending a Robert Earl Keen Christmas show where he ends it with 'Merry Christmas from the Fam-o-lee and then rips into Feliz Navidad to finish while the entire audience is on their feet singing and dancing along, man, that's the good stuff right there.

Posted by: Grapefruit LaCroix at December 05, 2025 11:17 AM (yghV0)

89 Posted by: DanMan at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (8uzBS)

He pushed by 80. He’s 83.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 11:17 AM (KDPiq)

90 I am 95% a music guy and 5% Lyrics.

Posted by: the way I see it

Same here. I regularly dress up to go to the ballet to attend the Nutcracker, and sit there with my eyes closed. I'm just there for the music.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 05, 2025 11:17 AM (0U5gm)

91 Carol of the Bells is a must for me...

Posted by: Nova Local at December 05, 2025 11:18 AM (tOcjL)

92 20
‘ To be honest there is not a Christmas song I ‘hate’. Maybe the lefty pop ones but just the words not the music.’

“So this Christmas and what have you done?”

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 05, 2025 11:18 AM (jbnUc)

93 [2022 Dennis Prager essay, subtitled:]

"America will not survive if its rituals do not survive"

foxnews.com/opinion/passover-
rituals-vital-dennis-prager

Posted by: ShainS -- The Neo-Jacobins: Anarcho-Terrorism & Assassination Culture Since 1789 at December 05, 2025 11:18 AM (My0zW)

94 In that same show, the youth choir tried to phonetically sing in Latin to a song no one had ever heard before...

----

Yes, well, Latin is a dead language. No one speaks it anymore.No one knows how the words were pronounced. Or sung.

Posted by: JM in Illinois at December 05, 2025 11:19 AM (PSFnA)

95 Someone once posted in this slot the most powerful performance of O Holy Night I've ever heard. When they sang "Fall on your knees", you felt it deep inside.
Posted by: t-bird at December 05, 2025 11:07 AM (XFXIk)

Dunno which one that was, but the 2009 Kings College Cambridge version is my personal favorite. Ignore the lousy resolution and extra length added on to apparently defeat some copyright stuff (the piece ends at about 5:07):

https://youtu.be/3btsUcd1Xks?list=RD3btsUcd1Xks

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at December 05, 2025 11:19 AM (/HDaX)

96 "If I never hear Feliz Navidad again, it'll be too soon"

Wonderful Christmastime is even worse. And that one to make us feel guilty about starving Ethiopians or wherever Do They Know It's Christmas?

Posted by: Ripley at December 05, 2025 11:19 AM (PTDkx)

97 Does anyone even do Bill Gaither's Southern Gospel style of Christmas tunes?

I'm looking at Keith and Kristyn Getty tour schedule and not the group performing a couple Christmas concerts in the Islamic Caliphate of the UK (Useless Kingdom).

I pray that there won't be any beheadings as a finalé.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 05, 2025 11:20 AM (pawvM)

98 My four favorite carols, in order:

1. "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen";
2. "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!";
3. "O Come, All Ye Faithful";
4. "Silent Night."

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:21 AM (77rzZ)

99 95 Someone once posted in this slot the most powerful performance of O Holy Night I've ever heard. When they sang "Fall on your knees", you felt it deep inside.
Posted by: t-bird at December 05, 2025 11:07 AM (XFXIk)

I'm partial to Josh Groban and Clay Aiken's takes...a male with huge range and power is my preference always for that song...

Posted by: Nova Local at December 05, 2025 11:21 AM (tOcjL)

100 O Holy Night mentions above- yes the laykment is tremendous.

Another family favorite was the Cheiftans Bells of Ireland. Can’t listen without thinking of my beloved Mom always have to give it a go once a season.

Posted by: Paisley at December 05, 2025 11:21 AM (7l8Bj)

101 Trump Doubles Down on Tim Walz Insult: “There’s Something Wrong With Him”

-
He's a corrupt twinkle toes commie rat bastard retard.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 05, 2025 11:21 AM (L/fGl)

102 100% agree Buck.

It's CHRISTMAS! I've heard enough of the show tunes you mention to know that they have no where near the musicality of the classic carols.

And don't get me started on that drivel "Mary, Did you Know".

Posted by: Dad of Six at December 05, 2025 11:22 AM (+OGAU)

103 96 "If I never hear Feliz Navidad again, it'll be too soon"

Wonderful Christmastime is even worse. And that one to make us feel guilty about starving Ethiopians or wherever Do They Know It's Christmas?
Posted by: Ripley at December 05, 2025 11:19 AM (PTDkx)

I love Do They Know It's Christmas b/c every year, it reminds me how utterly out of touch celebrities and the rich have been and always will be. I find the song wildly funny...and catchy (so they do know how to do that)...

Posted by: Nova Local at December 05, 2025 11:22 AM (tOcjL)

104 No one knows how the words were pronounced. Or sung.
Posted by: JM i

Not even priests officiating at a Traditional Latin Mass?

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:22 AM (77rzZ)

105 We have a thumb drive with Christmas music. I think some of the tunes are from the "Time Life Treasury of Christmas." A 2 CD set you can buy on Amazon for the low, low price of $40. 👀

I think we've got about 100 songs that I ripped with Winamp from compressed files on some Internet bootleg site decades ago.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 05, 2025 11:23 AM (NwnyJ)

106 >>> Unpopular opinion, pelt me with rotten tomatoes:
“Silent Night” is depressing. Hate it. And I sang it in school in English. AND the original German.
Posted by: Cow Demon at December 05, 2025 11:13 AM (6KcYW)

*Pelts with rotten tomatoes*
That is one of my favorites! Can sing it in German and English. But I think the story behind the song adds to my love of it.

There was a movie made about the making of Silent Night. Apparently it's available for free!

https://tinyurl.com/SilentNightMovie

Posted by: LizLem at December 05, 2025 11:23 AM (Eng1Z)

107 Many years ago, I remember Ladyl saying something like, "For me it isn't Christmas until I hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing The First Noel (with the descant)."

So, the Tabernacle Choir will be singing The First Noel (with the descant) during our broadcast this Sunday morning. You can watch us live at this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CGvakW-ZZc

(Maybe I'll get some camera time this week.)

Posted by: Half Dozen at December 05, 2025 11:23 AM (EYvpB)

108 “So this Christmas and what have you done?”
Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 05, 2025 11:18 AM (jbnUc)

Nope don’t hate it. Even the lyrics seem okay to me.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 11:24 AM (KDPiq)

109 *Walks in*

*Waves*

*Walks out*

Posted by: Christmas Shoes at December 05, 2025 11:25 AM (DNP8c)

110 It's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid
At Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world at Christmas time
But say a prayer, Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it's hard, but when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing
Is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring
There are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you
And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?

I mean, how can you not love that they literally sang a song about thanking God that someone else had a crappy life instead of them? And all the words sh&tting on Africa after...it's hilarious how awful those celebs are...

Posted by: Nova Local at December 05, 2025 11:25 AM (tOcjL)

111 The music to "Silent Night" was written by Franz Gruber.

Wasn't the villain in Die Hard named Gruber?

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:25 AM (77rzZ)

112 And don't get me started on that drivel "Mary, Did you Know".
Posted by: Dad of Six at December 05, 2025 11:22 AM (+OGAU)

Okay you found one I really dislike.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 11:26 AM (KDPiq)

113 At the University where I don't teach anymore except for when I need beer money, they have a beautiful concert hall. (And a pretty good music program) They do Handel's Messiah every year. I attended the first year the facility opened. The music was wonderful, and the sound flowed like water. But the people there, mostly faculty, were the worst bunch of assholes I had ever been around. If you didn't clap loud enough, or stand at the right moment, it was like being attacked by a pack of HOA Karens.
Sheesh.
Never went back.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 05, 2025 11:26 AM (2WIwB)

114 Think I read that Alvin and the Chipmunks are coming out with a new album this year.

I much prefer Bob River's versions.

The benchmark standard for parody lyrics though is Mad Magazine's #188 (January 1977) "Carols for the 1976 Holiday Season": including "Sam and Roz are Coming To Town", "It Hangs Down From the Chandelier" and my favorite "We Three Clods From Omaha Are" (this one should be a Moron favorite)

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 05, 2025 11:26 AM (pawvM)

115 Oh, and MoTab doing the Hallelujah Chorus and the Boston Pops doing their thing with 'Sleigh Ride'.
Posted by: Grapefruit LaCroix at December 05, 2025 11:06 AM (Pw4Cm)

Oh, and we'll be doing For Unto Us a Child Is Born during this Sunday's broadcast also.

Posted by: Half Dozen at December 05, 2025 11:26 AM (EYvpB)

116 I’m not much for organized religion; but I don’t like euphemisms either. “Happy Holidays” on a website mast - just what fucking Holiday is it, you think? You don’t have to guess on this shit, it’s fairly well established.

I discovered all this by accident, this is some people’s hobby or something. They’d say “Happy Holidays” and I’d reply “Merry Christmas!” and then start steaming. Maybe it’s a kind of Rorschach test, I dunno.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 05, 2025 11:26 AM (p9bn0)

117 Half Dozen, thank you for checking in.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 05, 2025 11:26 AM (sDNVV)

118 Wasn't the villain in Die Hard named Gruber?
Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:25 AM (77rzZ)

Should settle once and for all, Die Hard IS a Christmas movie.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 05, 2025 11:27 AM (go8bP)

119 The Hawkbirds have released a new cover of Joey Ramone's Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) just this morning. On Youtube. It rocks!

Posted by: Ramones 4 Ever! at December 05, 2025 11:27 AM (oftw2)

120 So when can we start arguing about the best version of A Christmas Carol?

Of course, all right-thinking people know that it's the Alistair Sim version, but it's still fun to argue about it.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:27 AM (77rzZ)

121 "I love Do They Know It's Christmas b/c every year, it reminds me how utterly out of touch celebrities and the rich have been and always will be. I find the song wildly funny...and catchy (so they do know how to do that)...
Posted by: Nova Local"

I'm surprised out of touch celebrities have not somehow merged Do They Know Its Christmas and Wonderful Christmastime to make people feel guilty and envious at the same time.

Posted by: Ripley at December 05, 2025 11:27 AM (PTDkx)

122 Very nice. 👍

In 2023, I attended a lovely Christmas hymn service in GA and, for the 1st time heard the singing of this 3rd verse in Oh, Holy Night:

"Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease."

An abolitionist's interpretation of a song by a French village's commissionaire of wines.
---
The following contains an explanation more succinct than I could provide:

Military dot com: The Little-Known War Stories Behind Your Favorite Christmas Songs, Published December 04, 2024

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at December 05, 2025 11:28 AM (NFX2v)

123 118 Wasn't the villain in Die Hard named Gruber?
Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:25 AM (77rzZ)

Should settle once and for all, Die Hard IS a Christmas movie.
Posted by: BurtTC at December 05, 2025 11:27 AM (go8bP)

Well, since this week, I was told by homeschooling Catholic moms that Godfather Part 1 and 2 are Thanksgiving movies since they are all about family (I did ask if Fast and Furious would also apply, and they said yes, and they were gonna try to get their family watching that next year), I can accept Die Hard as a family movie - they also told me it was...although I think making spouse and granddad happy was high on the list for them...

Posted by: Nova Local at December 05, 2025 11:28 AM (tOcjL)

124 Nice post, Buck. If you're ever in my neck of the woods come on down for Christmas Eve- lessons and carols 5:00 pm. You "know" the pastor too-sort of😉

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 05, 2025 11:28 AM (PFs9e)

125 One year, long ago, I took a part time job at a mall Radio Shack

Christmas season

I don't recommend it

Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:29 AM (QRv6r)

126 [snip]

I still like a lot of his music but since that moment, I've considered him a sh*tbird personally.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 05, 2025 11:16 AM (3nLb4)

--------------

Interesting story.

I remember as a kid growing up in the 60s & 70s liking a lot of Bob Dylan's stuff -- especially his poetic ballads -- despite his awful nasal singing voice (unlike some of you, I'm a 95% lyrics guy and a 5% music guy).

Anywho, there was some concert of his I was looking forward to seeing on TV (I think in the late 80s or early 90s), and had to turn it off after a couple of minutes because he was just mumbling through the unrecognizable words.

At first I thought he was drunk, but then deduced that he was -- similar to what you described above about Merle -- mocking his audience for daring to want to listen and sing along with his famous hits. I was disappoint.

Posted by: ShainS -- The Neo-Jacobins: Anarcho-Terrorism & Assassination Culture Since 1789 at December 05, 2025 11:29 AM (My0zW)

127 Like a beautiful quilt made up of different cloths.

Minnesota's Lt. Governor: Somali Fraud Is Part of the “Fabric” of Her State

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 05, 2025 11:29 AM (L/fGl)

128 O Holy Night - Andrea Bocelli

Posted by: JackStraw at December 05, 2025 11:29 AM (viF8m)

129 Seasonal Christmas music was all well and fine until the pop tarts and other rock, rap, folk, etc. artists started lending their un-asked-for voices and iterations of the classics.

Much of it is miserable to listen to. Ok... all of it is miserable.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 05, 2025 11:29 AM (NwnyJ)

130 This evening I will be attending "A Celtic Christmas" at a local church. It is a hugely popular event. (We will get there more than an hour prior to find parking.) It is Celtic because the choir dresses in tartan and they have a bagpipe troupe and a homeschool co-op drumline perform. It's full of tradition.

A Christmas event should be traditional. It is celebrating an event from over 2,000 years ago, and has been celebrated for something like 1,600 of those years. If your goal is to make it shiny and new, then you're not really celebrating what happened 2,000+ years ago - you're celebrating yourself. If you want to introduce something new (or old but forgotten), then ensure it points to the Reason For the Season and not to itself.

BTW, I also think some of the "best-loved" songs are trite and not deserving of the time often given them in concerts. But I'm a curmudgeon in that.

Posted by: GWB at December 05, 2025 11:29 AM (ocFtC)

131 And that's one of the things I love about the church I serve. Singing the old time hymns.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 05, 2025 11:30 AM (PFs9e)

132 A couple of decades ago, when South Park was still funny, they did a Christmas episode featuring songs like "Merry Fckg Christmas" that would not fly on modern, all-TDS all the time, South Park.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at December 05, 2025 11:30 AM (9fJpT)

133 I’m not much for organized religion; but I don’t like euphemisms either. “Happy Holidays” on a website mast - just what fucking Holiday is it, you think? You don’t have to guess on this shit, it’s fairly well established.

I discovered all this by accident, this is some people’s hobby or something. They’d say “Happy Holidays” and I’d reply “Merry Christmas!” and then start steaming. Maybe it’s a kind of Rorschach test, I dunno.

Don't even get me started on BCE.
(j/k Bulg)

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:30 AM (Riz8t)

134 I hate "normal" christmas carols probably more than I hate the inane radio Mariah Carey kind of "christmas" "music".

I know, I know, i'm not saying i'm awesome for sucking. I know it's a personal failing. I suppose it's because i've never much liked Christmas as a holiday because of seeing what it does to people, turning an opportunity for joy and being together and maybe thinking about religion if that's your thing... turning that into a giant pain in the ass cage match of bitching and pissing and arguing about who got what present and who's going to whom's place for dinner and why isn't so-and-so coming I guess they just have better things to do well screw those assholes right and they didn't have the right thing at the store for that one dessert we make so Christmas Is Ruined Forever... and... bleh.

So the more authentic the music for The Season is, the more it rubs me the wrong way. Maybe that's it. I don't know.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 05, 2025 11:31 AM (JwNbV)

135 The Godfather IS a Christmas movie

I'm prepared to make the case

Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:31 AM (QRv6r)

136 One would be better off listening to the Sirius XM Mannheim Steamroller channel, if they want a mix of recognizable songs and songs to be challenged by.

Posted by: Curly Shuffle at December 05, 2025 11:31 AM (5yDGQ)

137 Bocelli. I regularly play his cds in the barn.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 05, 2025 11:32 AM (sDNVV)

138 Most Celebs have no self awareness because of the bubble they live in and most are not religious so when they write Do They Know It’s Christmas I understand what they are trying to say but they say it sloppily and comes from a lack of Christian knowledge imo.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 11:32 AM (KDPiq)

139 132
‘ when South Park was still funny, they did a Christmas episode’

South Park can eat shit.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 05, 2025 11:32 AM (jbnUc)

140
I suppose it's because i've never much liked Christmas as a holiday because of seeing what it does to people, turning an opportunity for joy and being together and maybe thinking about religion if that's your thing... turning that into a giant pain in the ass cage match of bitching and pissing and arguing about who got what present and who's going to whom's place for dinner and why isn't so-and-so coming

__________

I like Christmas

I hate the holiday season

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 05, 2025 11:32 AM (tgvbd)

141 Mannheim Steamroller is a favorite of mine.

Also TSO.

Posted by: Pug Mahon at December 05, 2025 11:33 AM (PSEDc)

142 I hate "normal" christmas carols probably more than I hate the inane radio Mariah Carey kind of "christmas" "music".

I loathe her and all her works. She thinks every song needs to have some hysterical scales thrown in the middle.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:33 AM (Riz8t)

143 104 No one knows how the words were pronounced. Or sung.
Posted by: JM i

Not even priests officiating at a Traditional Latin Mass?
Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:22 AM (77rzZ)

----
Nopr. My favorite teacher told this story on himself. When he was a student in latin class, everyone had to recite passages. Some students read so badly that other students laughed. A teacher cautioned the students,"No laughing, no one knows how it really sounded." When my teacher read, even the teacher laughed.

Posted by: JM in Illinois at December 05, 2025 11:33 AM (tsJhI)

144 120

10-4. Couldn't agree more.

Posted by: Dad of Six at December 05, 2025 11:33 AM (+OGAU)

145 Lucy and Martha Thomas' duet of 'O Holy Night' is worth a listen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK1f81j6iuk

Posted by: one hour sober at December 05, 2025 11:33 AM (Y1sOo)

146 The Godfather IS a Christmas movie

I'm prepared to make the case
Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:31 AM (QRv6r)

I know when The Godfather was supposedly born.

December 7th.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 11:33 AM (KDPiq)

147 Don't even get me started on BCE.
(j/k Bulg)
Posted by: Archimedes

I blame it on Ukraine.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:33 AM (77rzZ)

148 Think I read that Alvin and the Chipmunks are coming out with a new album this year.
Posted by: David Seville at December 05, 2025 11:17 AM (oftw2)

Shouldn't they at least be in their 80s, if not 90s?

Listening to Alvin sing must be worse than Rod Stewart.

And I bet they don't have any of the original Chipmunks backing him anymore.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 05, 2025 11:34 AM (iU+ep)

149 O Holy Night - Andrea Bocelli

Posted by: JackStraw

He put on an extra special performance because they told him he was at Carnegie Hall.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 05, 2025 11:34 AM (0U5gm)

150 I like Christmas
I hate the holiday season

Pithy and on point.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:34 AM (Riz8t)

151 I loathe her and all her works. She thinks every song needs to have some hysterical scales thrown in the middle.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:33 AM (Riz8t)

I blame Whitney Houston.

At least Mariah Carey can actually.. do it. As awful and grating as the it in question may be.

Man, i'm just Grouchy Smurf in a Rudolph the Red Nosed Bastard costume today, aren't I?

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 05, 2025 11:34 AM (JwNbV)

152 Merry Christmas (If It Won't Offend You)!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 05, 2025 11:34 AM (L/fGl)

153 I loathe pretty much all of the music of the Christmas season.

All of it, including the religious classics, have been beaten into the ground over my entire lifetime because every artist with a record deal has to crap out a Christmas album, and who can even be bothered to care which idiot is singing one of these same 30 or so songs this time?

Miss me with that shit, unless it's a really good instrumental version of a classic, which I will abide.

Posted by: ballistic at December 05, 2025 11:35 AM (5aZAZ)

154 Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 05, 2025 11:31 AM (JwNbV)

I'm sorry. That does make if difficult. I've never had an argument over presents or anything else because my family is in England or they're no longer alive and my husband's brother whom he is closest to always works on Christmas.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 05, 2025 11:35 AM (PFs9e)

155 Don't even get me started on BCE.

If "C" represents "Common", common to whom? Because we are in the middle of 1447 Anno Hegirae and Islam is getting quite common.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 05, 2025 11:35 AM (nAS9C)

156 146 The Godfather IS a Christmas movie

I'm prepared to make the case
Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:31 AM (QRv6r)

I know when The Godfather was supposedly born.

December 7th.
Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 11:33 AM (KDPiq)

Nope, apparently Thanksgiving, b/c if you're all about family, apparently that is enough for that holiday with the lack of good on point movies...

Spouse was trying to tell me Miracle on 34th Street could go Thanksgiving b/c it starts with the Macy's Parade. I said maybe that would be an Advent movie, instead.

Posted by: Nova Local at December 05, 2025 11:35 AM (tOcjL)

157
Fum, Fum, Fum.
Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella.

Also receiving votes: Patapan.

Posted by: Offbeat, but good at December 05, 2025 11:35 AM (XQo4F)

158 Also TSO.
Posted by: Pug Mahon at December 05, 2025 11:33 AM (PSEDc)

Trans Society of Orlando?

Posted by: BurtTC at December 05, 2025 11:35 AM (X1yDi)

159 "Go show Carlo the tree."

Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:36 AM (QRv6r)

160 I’m not much for organized religion; but I don’t like euphemisms either. “Happy Holidays” on a website mast - just what fucking Holiday is it, you think? You don’t have to guess on this shit, it’s fairly well established.

I discovered all this by accident, this is some people’s hobby or something. They’d say “Happy Holidays” and I’d reply “Merry Christmas!” and then start steaming. Maybe it’s a kind of Rorschach test, I dunno.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 05, 2025 11:26 AM (p9bn0)

--------------

Not to beat a dead horse (SWIDT?) but the Happy Holidays is another of the death of Western Civilization in general and America in particular by 1000 cuts a la the BC/AD vs. BCE/CE discussion in the prior thread.

* runs away to take a shower *

Posted by: ShainS -- The Neo-Jacobins: Anarcho-Terrorism & Assassination Culture Since 1789 at December 05, 2025 11:37 AM (My0zW)

161 August Burns Red did an album, Sledding Hill, of metal Christmas song covers. I listen to it while putting up decorations.

Also, TSO concert this Saturday. Going.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at December 05, 2025 11:37 AM (9fJpT)

162 Michael and Kay Christmas shopping in New York City

Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:37 AM (QRv6r)

163 Best "Felix Navidad" is "Police Nabbed My Dad".
Drunk on Christmas, plastered on egg nog . . .

Posted by: gKWVE at December 05, 2025 11:37 AM (gKWVE)

164 All of it, including the religious classics, have been beaten into the ground over my entire lifetime because every artist with a record deal has to crap out a Christmas album,

Did Judas Priest and Ozzy Ozbourne cut such albums?

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 05, 2025 11:37 AM (a3CJ+)

165 Attended grandson's 4th grade Christmas concert last night. They did the Nutcracker. Lots of singing and dancing. It was very good. Loved the music. Put me in a Christmas mood.

Posted by: Tuna at December 05, 2025 11:37 AM (lJ0H4)

166 O Holy Night is too slow and drags on tediously.

Posted by: There, I said it at December 05, 2025 11:37 AM (XQo4F)

167 The Godfather is a Foodie movie.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 11:37 AM (KDPiq)

168 6 minute YT on how Latin sounded and how we know.

https://is.gd/Q5nmAL

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 05, 2025 11:38 AM (L/fGl)

169 Your light will come, Jerusalem.
The Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 05, 2025 11:38 AM (gDlxJ)

170 Miss me with that shit, unless it's a really good instrumental version of a classic, which I will abide.
Posted by: ballistic at December 05, 2025 11:35 AM (5aZAZ)

I have a CD at home, using the instruments available at the time the songs were written, most of which I'd never heard before.

But they sound like Christmas anyway.

Much preferred over pop schmaltz of the past few decades.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 05, 2025 11:38 AM (hBtiT)

171 Half Dozen, how neat you are in MoTab!

I got to attend the huge Christmas concert they do a few times, with the dancers and the guest artists. So magical in person. Sometimes I won the lottery system, other times I did the standby line out on the cold. Always worth it!

Posted by: LizLem at December 05, 2025 11:38 AM (Eng1Z)

172 Mormon Tabernacle Choir for the classics
Nat King Cole for the " it's Christmas " music

Posted by: Ben Had at December 05, 2025 11:38 AM (sDNVV)

173 If you ever get the chance, listen to Emma Kok. She's a 17-year-old Dutch singer with the voice of an angel. She does a lot of stuff with Andre Reiu and his symphony orchestra.

The thing is, she was born with a disorder where her stomach doesn't work -- i.e., it won't empty into her small intestine. She has "eaten" exclusively via a feeding tube since she was nine months old.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:38 AM (77rzZ)

174
" I think a great question to ask would be "why were those songs chosen at the expense of traditional ones?"

Because the performers are sick and tired of playing the same shit over and over. "Hey! Play Take the A Train.". Hey! Do you know "When the Saints go Marching in" ? etc...

There is a lot of great music in all categories the public is completely unexposed to.

Sadly people glom onto what they are comfortable with and exposed to at a certain period in their life. This isn't that case with most musicians and creative performers.

Setting up a program or a set list that is going to go over requires balancing expectations with new material.

And of course, you can never please everybody.

Posted by: pawn at December 05, 2025 11:39 AM (70YV/)

175 Hey, Mary. Did you know?

Posted by: Spoiler: she knew at December 05, 2025 11:39 AM (XQo4F)

176 Alright ya filthy animal - you showed up on my ONT last night so I held up my end of the bargain. I'm your most recent subscriber and I liked your latest video.

But you're still my sworn enemy.

Posted by: Doof at December 05, 2025 10:51 AM (3CwIS)

======

Can't we be frenemies?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing life through the shadows with Otto Preminger at December 05, 2025 11:39 AM (GBKbO)

177 When the Don is in the hospital after getting shot, there are Christmas lights decorating the front entrance

Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:39 AM (QRv6r)

178 The Godfather is a Foodie movie.

Let's see:
1) Luca Brazzi sleeps with the fishes.
2) Clemenza makes pasta while going to the mattresses
3) They take the cannoli.

What am I missing?

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:39 AM (Riz8t)

179 Spot on, Buck.

Posted by: Earl Schlobodowicz at December 05, 2025 11:39 AM (P7Iz+)

180 Christmas with the Devil

-Spinal Tap

Posted by: Pug Mahon at December 05, 2025 11:39 AM (PSEDc)

181 And spouse always tell me he wants the same thing for Christmas -socks and underwear . They must go in a big black hole somewhere because he always asks for that . I'm never very good about thinking what I want, but it was fun when we had toys for our son.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 05, 2025 11:39 AM (PFs9e)

182 I've never understood why Adoration by the News Boys didn't get more play at Christmas time.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 05, 2025 11:40 AM (lFFaq)

183 At first I thought he was drunk...

FWIW, I'm pretty sure Merle was drunk but that was SOP for CW stars at the time.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 05, 2025 11:40 AM (3nLb4)

184 So the more authentic the music for The Season is, the more it rubs me the wrong way. Maybe that's it. I don't know.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 05, 2025 11:31 AM (JwNbV)

Man, I feel like you need to be invited to my house for Christmas. Morning cinnamon rolls and coffee, unwrapped presents with the fake Netflix fire for 2 hours, then a charcuterie tray and fruit tray (I don't count this as cooking b/c nothing is heated) and everyone bails to play/put away presents while spouse puts on the Christmas Story (that I hate) and NFL football now til take in Chinese when we sit and enjoy each other for another hour or two and then have the Christmas cookies baked on prior days. Church is always Christmas Eve late.

No stress...if Chinese is closed or out of duck (which it was one year) swapping to Thai ordered duck was fine. Everyone lived. And if every place is closed, I always have the ingredients for spaghetti.

Posted by: Nova Local at December 05, 2025 11:40 AM (tOcjL)

185 They were already writing in Latin in the late republic/early empire about Old Latin and how it probably would have sounded because no one alive then really knew.

I love whenever you can read stuff about super-duper antiquity in works from regular-ass antiquity.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 05, 2025 11:40 AM (JwNbV)

186 Santa Claus Is Coming To Town is THE most creepy, Orwellian carol.

“He knows when you’ve been ungood or good so be doubleplusgood for goodness’ sake”
Posted by: Cow Demon

-----------
Alice Cooper did a wonderful homage to "cover" of this familiar tune. It truly portrays the creepy horror lurking within the original.

Posted by: Curly Shuffle at December 05, 2025 11:40 AM (5yDGQ)

187 It’s not up any longer, but YouTube had Bob Dylan singing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and I about pissed myself laughing. His voice is a combination gargling broken glass with a Draino chaser, I thought he was going to hurt hisself on the high parts

Posted by: Common Tater at December 05, 2025 11:41 AM (v3I63)

188 65 Or see that damn Corona ad with the palm trees lit up with lights.
Posted by: Archimedes

Christmas lights on palm trees.

https://is.gd/Gsa1BO
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (L/fGl)

-----

Right. But if could you go back two or three generations, before our sex-saturated environment, the display wouldn't have been suggestive.

Posted by: JM in Illinois at December 05, 2025 11:41 AM (S+bfZ)

189
Think I read that Alvin and the Chipmunks are coming out with a new album this year.

Posted by: David Seville at December 05, 2025 11:17 AM

unpossible, what with the helium shortage and all

Posted by: AltonJackson at December 05, 2025 11:41 AM (tljrc)

190 >What am I missing?

Posted by: Archimedes
----

when Tessio shows up with the Don's birthday cake

Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:41 AM (QRv6r)

191 Be sure to watch YouTubes of the old Dean Martin Christmas shows where a endless cavalcade of stars read out which orphanages and Children's hospitals Santa will be visiting.

Imagine the kids being allowed to stay up late and their hearts leaping when their location is called.

I'm not crying, you're crying

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at December 05, 2025 11:41 AM (wBaIH)

192 And don't get me started on that drivel "Mary, Did you Know".
Posted by: Dad of Six at December 05, 2025 11:22 AM (+OGAU)

Every time I hear that while out, I say an Ave for that sweet man, who knew not what he did...

Three wonderful Advent and Christmas CD's-
Advent at Ephesus
Christmas at Ephesus
Caroling at Ephesus
Collections of hymns, carols and chants recorded by the Benedictines of Ephesus, available from their site.

Posted by: sal at December 05, 2025 11:42 AM (f+FmA)

193 Mariah Carey actually tried to copyright "The Queen of Christmas" because of her monster Christmas hit. I wish I was kidding. Luckily they told her to go pound sand and denied her.

I'll admit, her song's production makes any other heavily produced version pale in comparison. But I think the best version of it I've heard was stripped down and acoustic with a ukulele by a young lady, no bells and whistles, earnest and sincere.

Posted by: LizLem at December 05, 2025 11:42 AM (Eng1Z)

194 Yesterday while on the town, I heard an instrumental version of a song from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer special. That was interesting.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 05, 2025 11:42 AM (0U5gm)

195 I put a "Calm Christmas Music" playlist together on Spotify; it's mainly slow-ish piano and other instrumental versions of well-known carols. Suits us fine, especially in the current gloomy, cold weather. I also enjoy some ancient and medieval carols, and these can be very obscure, but I agree that these are probably not for mass consumption. I usually kick off Nativity Season by listening to Ony Wytars' "On the Way to Bethlehem." It's very old pilgrimage songs and very much not a mass-appeal choice.

Posted by: Martin Tell at December 05, 2025 11:42 AM (sFNX2)

196 Appalonia serving guests at the wedding

Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:42 AM (QRv6r)

197 and of course, the veal that is the best in the city

Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 11:42 AM (QRv6r)

198 The best Christmas Festival, in my humble opinion, is at St Olaf College in Minnesota. The festival is streamed for free this Sunday at 3pm CST

https://christmas.stolaf.edu/

Featuring the world class St Olaf Choir, the St Olaf Orchestra, and three other student choirs. And yes, they perform several traditional musical pieces, some with audience sing-along.

Highly recommended.

Posted by: Ddad at December 05, 2025 11:43 AM (dOLLq)

199 How about an Advent and Christmas Truce?

Let's leave the A.D. vs. C.E. stuff in the past.

I wholeheartedly agree Buck.

Back in the day, in a public Elementary school, we learned tons of religious Christmas music.

Happy memories. The older I get the more I love the old hymns, preferably in the original Klingon.

Posted by: no one at December 05, 2025 11:43 AM (W7XSX)

200 When I was in high school companies would pay our choir to come out and perform at their mall or department store. It was good money that went towards traveling to state competition. I also liked going around the neighborhood with my church caroling. Same place wouldn't be safe now, might as well walk around tijuana at night.

Posted by: banana Dream at December 05, 2025 11:43 AM (3uBP9)

201
New Carols Adjacent:

so...the lovely and tolerant Mrs naturalfake and I suffered through a new """"""adaptation""""""" of "A Christmas Carol", titled-

titled, "Spirited", streaming on Apple.

It's a Will Ferrel musical dealio starring him and Ryan Reynolds, and basically exists to undermine the whole idea and concept of both Christmas and the story "A Christmas Carol".

It's subversive, yo!

It's present as a comedy but Holy Cow, "Spirited" is a comedy desert where you go starving except for the rare dead dehydrated cockroach of a joke that occasionally shows up to give you a small, microscopic grin.

Awful crap. Awful songs that sounds like the fake Broadway songs they used to sing on SNL. Very strenuous acting by all involved- Great way to exercise those acting muscles, chumps! And neither Ferrel nor Reynolds can sing particularly well.

Where's an Autotune when you need one?

Yes, they really own The Normies(TM) with this.
Tell a nice version of "A Christmas Carol"?
No....no....not so much.

Avoid.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 05, 2025 11:44 AM (iJfKG)

202 I will fess up to liking "Santa Claus is coming on a Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 05, 2025 11:44 AM (sDNVV)

203 Because the performers are sick and tired of playing the same shit over and over"

I've been a professional (paid to perform) and amateur musician for...a really long time, and I respect the audience. Playing what I like with no concern for the listeners? Not.

Posted by: man at December 05, 2025 11:44 AM (XuXeR)

204 Ray Coniff Christmas albums, The Carpenters Christmas, Andy Williams and Bing Crosby. That was Christmas at our house growing up.

Posted by: Frank Barone at December 05, 2025 11:44 AM (IifOV)

205 I always preferred To Hell With The Devil. Just saying.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at December 05, 2025 11:44 AM (iFTx/)

206 Mr Garrison singing Merry F',ing Christmas to Muslims , Hindus and Shinto was funny

Posted by: Smell the Glove at December 05, 2025 11:44 AM (bfwj/)

207 181 And spouse always tell me he wants the same thing for Christmas -socks and underwear . They must go in a big black hole somewhere because he always asks for that . I'm never very good about thinking what I want, but it was fun when we had toys for our son.
------------
Give him a Train Set.

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 05, 2025 11:45 AM (Wg6v7)

208 Rumors (RUMORS) that Fetterman won't even run for re-election.

The Sinema pattern is emerging again.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing life through the shadows with Otto Preminger at December 05, 2025 11:45 AM (GBKbO)

209 168 6 minute YT on how Latin sounded and how we know.

https://is.gd/Q5nmAL
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 0

---

Interesting and news to me. I'm watching it.

Posted by: JM in Illinois at December 05, 2025 11:45 AM (S+bfZ)

210 Christmas with the Devil

-Spinal Tap

Posted by: Pug Mahon

Was that on their Intravenus DeMilo album?

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 05, 2025 11:45 AM (0U5gm)

211 Public humiliation.

https://is.gd/hpxwio

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 05, 2025 11:45 AM (L/fGl)

212 The Godfather is a Foodie movie.
What am I missing?

The oranges. In the scene where the Godfather gets shot, they spill, and in the scene where he finally dies, he makes an orange smile while playing with a grandkid in the vegetable garden.

Posted by: LizLem at December 05, 2025 11:45 AM (Eng1Z)

213 I have never heard "In Bleak Midwinter" but it is so lovely. I posted the Sussn Boyle version yesterday. This is Dan Fogelberg

https://is.gd/OQgc4Z

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 05, 2025 11:45 AM (+mUZM)

214 >>>If you ever get the chance, listen to Emma Kok. She's a 17-year-old Dutch singer with the voice of an angel.

Lucy Thomas >>>Emma Kok

I hate the song Hallelujha, but Lucky Thomas absolutely kills it.

Posted by: one hour sober at December 05, 2025 11:45 AM (Y1sOo)

215 Posted by: Ddad at December 05, 2025 11:43 AM (dOLLq

Yes; Saint Olaf does have a very nice program.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 05, 2025 11:46 AM (PFs9e)

216 Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:39 AM (Riz8t)

A lot

The wedding
The birthday dinner
The spaghetti making
The Italian restaurant with the cop
The dinner with movie producer

There are a few more scenes I can’t recall off the top of my head.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 11:46 AM (KDPiq)

217 Nine years retail in downtown Chicago (76-85) kinda soured me on the entire month of December (almost no days off from Black Friday to 4 or 5pm on Dec 24). Looked forward to Christmas because a day off.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 05, 2025 11:46 AM (q3u5l)

218 No one has mentioned the chipmunks.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at December 05, 2025 11:46 AM (g8Ew8)

219 Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 05, 2025 11:45 AM (+mUZM)

Very nice hymn . You don't hear it very often

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 05, 2025 11:46 AM (PFs9e)

220 196 Appalonia serving guests at the wedding
--------------------
Appalonian breasts for the win.

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 05, 2025 11:46 AM (Wg6v7)

221 I reviewed my Spotify "2025 Wrapped" yesterday, and I have a "Listening Age" of 22! I assume that's because I listen to a lot of new releases of piano ambient style pieces and space banjo. We recently attended a live performance by new classical pianist, Ludovico Einaudi (Italian). I was surprised at the large number of young people in attendance. Maybe there is hope of Gen Z after all!

Posted by: Martin Tell at December 05, 2025 11:46 AM (sFNX2)

222 No one has mentioned the chipmunks."

Alvin?

Posted by: man at December 05, 2025 11:47 AM (XuXeR)

223 New Carols Adjacent:

so...the lovely and tolerant Mrs naturalfake and I suffered through a new """"""adaptation""""""" of "A Christmas Carol", titled-

titled, "Spirited", streaming on Apple.

It's a Will Ferrel

I stopped reading there.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:47 AM (Riz8t)

224 221 I reviewed my Spotify "2025 Wrapped" yesterday, and I have a "Listening Age" of 22! I assume that's because I listen to a lot of new releases of piano ambient style pieces and space banjo. We recently attended a live performance by new classical pianist, Ludovico Einaudi (Italian). I was surprised at the large number of young people in attendance. Maybe there is hope of Gen Z after all!

Posted by: Martin Tell at December 05, 2025 11:46 AM (sFNX2)

======

Dolley's average listening age is 80.

She's 38.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing life through the shadows with Otto Preminger at December 05, 2025 11:47 AM (GBKbO)

225 Nobody loses their shit and ruins their whole month over the stress of having a perfect Lent.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 05, 2025 11:48 AM (JwNbV)

226
I've been a professional (paid to perform) and amateur musician for...a really long time, and I respect the audience. Playing what I like with no concern for the listeners? Not.
Posted by: man at December 05, 2025 11:44 AM (XuXeR)

__________

That makes you most atypical, from what I've seen. I read a classical music blog and all the commenters seem to hate their jobs, hate their colleagues, hate their audiences and are angry society doesn't think as highly of them as they do of themselves.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 05, 2025 11:48 AM (tgvbd)

227 We recently attended a live performance by new classical pianist, Ludovico Einaudi (Italian). I was surprised at the large number of young people in attendance. Maybe there is hope of Gen Z after all!

Ooooh, lucky you! I thought about buying tickets to his recent concert at Wolftrap until I read the ticket prices.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:48 AM (Riz8t)

228 I basically divide Christmas songs into four groups:

1. Traditional carols about the Nativity of Christ (including Advent carols and the sole [as far as I know] Epiphany carol, "We Three Kings").
2. Songs about celebrating Christmas (e.g., "Deck the Halls");
3. Santa-Claus songs;
4. General winter songs, celebrating snow (which everyone promptly goes back to hating once the holidays are over), sleigh rides, etc.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:48 AM (77rzZ)

229 O Holy Night - Andrea Bocelli
Posted by: JackStraw at December 05, 2025 11:29 AM (viF8m)

I prefer the Grateful Dead version

Posted by: alpine_beer at December 05, 2025 11:48 AM (van9r)

230 And don't get me started on that drivel "Mary, Did you Know".
Posted by: Dad of Six at December 05, 2025 11:22 AM (+OGAU)

I think the song is lovely. But the lyrics are ignorant to some extent. She knew. That's what the Magnificat is about, is her knowing. Simeon tells her "and a sword will pierce your own soul."

Posted by: GWB at December 05, 2025 11:49 AM (ocFtC)

231 The big out door dinner in Italy
The food tossing scene with Carlos

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 11:49 AM (KDPiq)

232 Dolley's average listening age is 80.

She's 38."

80, huh? So a big swing fan?

Posted by: man at December 05, 2025 11:49 AM (XuXeR)

233
Dolley's average listening age is 80.

She's 38.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing life through the shadows with Otto Preminger at December 05, 2025 11:47 AM (GBKbO)

She's a big fan of Bing Crosby?

Posted by: naturalfake at December 05, 2025 11:49 AM (iJfKG)

234 208
‘ Rumors (RUMORS) that Fetterman won't even run for re-election.

The Sinema pattern is emerging again.’

The leftism in DC wears down everyone that wants to be a real person and not kowtow.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 05, 2025 11:49 AM (jbnUc)

235 Christina Rossetti - who wrote a lot of religious poetry was a devout Christian and wrote the words to "In the bleak midwinter ":

https://tinyurl.com/599vu536

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 05, 2025 11:50 AM (PFs9e)

236 Dolley's average listening age is 80.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison,

And she thinks WE'RE old and weird!

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:50 AM (77rzZ)

237 Went to both my own kids and the grandkid's Holiday concerts for decades- they went to the same elementary school.
When the 6th grade became part of middle school, they had to drop 'The Night Before Christmas in Texas, You All" and give the fifth grade "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree", because it was a crowd favorite.
It was literally the same program every year.
When the 2nd grade sang and signed "Silent Night", dads cried like little girls.

Posted by: sal at December 05, 2025 11:50 AM (f+FmA)

238 Our local Christian university presents a Christmas worship service every year for the community. It seems the guiding principle is to make it as beautiful as possible to glorify God. The decorations are classy and there are multitudes of candles on stage and around the auditorium. The music is exquisite and we are encouraged to contemplate God's wonderful gift and to give Him praise.

It is absolutely uplifting to attend and participate.

Posted by: Emmie -- be strong and courageous! at December 05, 2025 11:50 AM (FMtrg)

239 I love Christmas music so much... I have it all... Classical and jazz piano renditions, The Mater Euchariste Sisters, The Merry Axemas CD's, Jewel, Celtic Woman, Monks of the Weston Priory (Smooth 70's stuff), American Boychoir (my Mom's fave CD RIP Mom)... that's just the tip of the iceberg...they all get rotated through in Dec and Jan and am always adding more...

Posted by: Bad Andrew at December 05, 2025 11:50 AM (6qf1m)

240 There is actually a recording of Dave Bowie showing up on Bing Crosby’s show. Yeesh They sing “Little Drummer Boy” badly. Bing died not long after. I think there’s a lesson in there.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 05, 2025 11:50 AM (0OORa)

241 >> If "C" represents "Common", common to whom?

If you want to have fun, just let the "C" be "Christian", the Christian Era. In fact, that's what "common" really meant when it first came into usage way back in the days of Kepler, I think. Don't hold me to the exact timeline.

Common was oft dubbed "vulgar", meaning common, and it didn't have the negative connotation it has today. So they spoke of the "vulgar/common" era, vulgar in the sense of not some regal year number (ie the Year of King Chuckles III such-and-such), which is what the common people were using.

For all practical purposes, common era means Christian era. Those who use it today aren't too aware of that fact.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at December 05, 2025 11:50 AM (w6EFb)

242 Up on the housetop, smoking Js
We've been up here a hundred days
Somebody call an ambulance
I've got a hundred roach burns on my pants.

Posted by: pawn at December 05, 2025 11:51 AM (70YV/)

243 There was no way they were going to let the perceived "Trump Ally" company get it instead of the one opposed to him.

Most importantly, CNN will stay out of Bari Weiss' hands, and they're now the tip of the spear for the anti-Trump color revolution. (You know how far out in front they are when Martha Radditz on ABC reported that CNN is lying).

Posted by: Ian S. at December 05, 2025 11:51 AM (2ocoG)

244 I read a classical music blog and all the commenters"..

Don't have work?

Posted by: man at December 05, 2025 11:51 AM (XuXeR)

245 Did Judas Priest and Ozzy Ozbourne cut such albums?
Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure

----------
Rob Halford did his needs release a Christmas album. I actually enjoyed his take on "O Come O Come Emmanuel".

Posted by: Curly Shuffle at December 05, 2025 11:51 AM (5yDGQ)

246 I'm late to this party but here is one of my favorite Christmas hymns, Lo How a Rose e'er Blooming:

https://youtu.be/kU-E46o0sp0

Posted by: screaming in digital at December 05, 2025 11:51 AM (UONii)

247 She's a big fan of Bing Crosby?

I don't pay for Sirius/XM in my own car but when I get a rental car with it, I set buttons for the Bluegrass channel and the '40s channel.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 05, 2025 11:51 AM (3nLb4)

248 Posted by: Emmie -- be strong and courageous! at December 05, 2025 11:50 AM (FMtrg

That's great!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 05, 2025 11:52 AM (PFs9e)

249 I think the song is lovely. But the lyrics are ignorant to some extent. She knew. That's what the Magnificat is about, is her knowing. Simeon tells her "and a sword will pierce your own soul."

Yeah, dumb lyrics but a beautiful song in the right hands (vocal cords?)

Posted by: Ian S. at December 05, 2025 11:52 AM (2ocoG)

250 "While I don’t mind that choir directors want to “challenge” the audience with some new or unfamiliar Christmas tunes, I am annoyed that some of the shows I’ve attended in recent years have been virtually devoid of any familiar tunes. Even worse, some of the unfamiliar music is truly awful."

Mrs B sings in a church choir. They got a new choir director a year or 2 ago. The guy carries on like he's a Broadway director on Broadway working with professionals, and constantly pushing for new songs at a quantity and rate that only professionals could deal with when it's their only job. Sorry dude, you're not going to be the next big thing. Enough with your bullshit musical experiments.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 05, 2025 11:52 AM (snZF9)

251 The Mormon Tabernacle Choir did one of my most favorite Christmas cds
Posted by: Ben Had at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (sDNVV)

Oh yes, Ben Had, that is my favorite Christmas CD, unfortunately I can't find my copy.
The Silent Night song is just beautiful. I must replace it right away!

Posted by: Pony Tail at December 05, 2025 11:53 AM (HcbZb)

252 Christina Rossetti - who wrote a lot of religious poetry was a devout Christian and wrote the words to "In the bleak midwinter ":

https://tinyurl.com/599vu536

Oh yeah, that's a beautiful song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHHl0NiIAy4

Posted by: Archimedes at December 05, 2025 11:53 AM (Riz8t)

253 Could be worse, they could be singing about EVs.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at December 05, 2025 11:54 AM (WPL6O)

254 We went to our grandson's middle school band concert this past week, the "Winter Concert". According to the small print at the bottom of the program the school system will mix secular and sacred music in their concerts through the year, although each concert "may not exhibit this diversity." Each band level played three songs, two non holiday and one secular holiday song--they're still playing Anderson's Sleigh Ride! There was one holiday religious song--one band played a Hannukah "medley"!

Posted by: Lirio100 at December 05, 2025 11:54 AM (ky7/T)

255 But of course.

Canada Moves To Ban Public Religious Expression

-
Back to the catacombs, m*th*rf*ck*rs!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 05, 2025 11:55 AM (L/fGl)

256 My apologies, it is Flash Cadillac.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 05, 2025 11:55 AM (sDNVV)

257 Give me Handel's Messiah. I love all of the old hymns (Hark the Herald Angels Sing brought me back to Christ after a long departure), but the Messiah really encapsulates the season for me.

I'd swear God was dictating to Handel when he wrote the Messiah.
Posted by: hobbitopoly at December 05, 2025 11:14 AM (k9OZB)

If we're talking about the Messiah, it's only fair to give a yuge shout-out to Charles Jennens-- he wrote the libretto ( taken from the KJV ) , before Handel wrote the music.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 05, 2025 11:55 AM (PiwSw)

258 So when can we start arguing about the best version of A Christmas Carol?

Of course, all right-thinking people know that it's the Alistair Sim version, but it's still fun to argue about it.
Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:27 AM (77rzZ)

Nah. The Patton version is the best. Hands down.

Posted by: GWB at December 05, 2025 11:55 AM (ocFtC)

259 I've been pondering the role of "spectacle" in the life of the Church. We put on special performances that we hope will attract the general population. On the one hand, we worship in our hearts and no extravagant production is required. On the other hand, we are making a present to God of the best we can offer. On still another hand, it's a blessing to a community to have the opportunity to partake in the beauty.

Posted by: Emmie -- be strong and courageous! at December 05, 2025 11:55 AM (FMtrg)

260 They were already writing in Latin in the late republic/early empire about Old Latin and how it probably would have sounded because no one alive then really knew.

Beowolf and current English is a little over 1000 years.

Deep South US, Boston and Wisconsin accents are Right Now.

It silly to perseverate on pronunciation given that there wasn't a Radio/Movie Standard English in Rome, yet even in the US ghetto "English" and Chinatown "Engrish" from UK English is very different.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 05, 2025 11:55 AM (WCaCG)

261 246 I'm late to this party but here is one of my favorite Christmas hymns, Lo How a Rose e'er Blooming:

https://youtu.be/kU-E46o0sp0
Posted by: screaming in digital at December 05, 2025 11:51 AM (UONii)

That is one of my favorites; I think it's actually much better with just a single soprano and single tenor, because the tenor part is actually a descant to the melody in places.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2025 11:55 AM (uWKK8)

262 If we're talking about the Messiah, it's only fair to give a yuge shout-out to Charles Jennens-- he wrote the libretto ( taken from the KJV ) , before Handel wrote the music.
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 05, 2025 11:55 AM (PiwSw)

Well I'd give Isaiah at least part of the credit.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2025 11:56 AM (uWKK8)

263 The Pogues "A Fairytale of New York"

Posted by: Smell the Glove at December 05, 2025 11:57 AM (bfwj/)

264 I actually love McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time". I saw the video years ago and it made me smile, at a time when smiles were pretty scarce.

Posted by: Megthered at December 05, 2025 11:57 AM (kmh+J)

265 A fun carol is "The Huron Carol," Canada's oldest Christmas song, probably written in 1642 by a Jesuit missionary to the Huron/

It retells the Nativity story using imagery that the Indians would've been familiar with, e.g.,:

Within a lodge of broken bark
The tender Babe was found,
A ragged robe of rabbit skin
Enwrapp'd His beauty round;
But as the hunter braves drew nigh,
The angel song rang loud and high...
"Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria."

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 11:57 AM (77rzZ)

266 Being over 29, I seem to remember the Monkees doing a very nice version of Rui Rui Chui, an old, old Spanish carol, on a Christmas program. I looked it up and it's still on YouTube.

Posted by: Tuna at December 05, 2025 11:57 AM (lJ0H4)

267 Each band level played three songs, two non holiday and one secular holiday song--they're still playing Anderson's Sleigh Ride! There was one holiday religious song--one band played a Hannukah "medley"!
Posted by: Lirio100 at December 05, 2025 11:54 AM (ky7/T)

Did they give a rendition of the islamic call to prayer? If not the concert was not diverse.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at December 05, 2025 11:58 AM (g8Ew8)

268 72 Christmas music has been a mess ever since Firestone stopped selling $1.99 Christmas albums and Santa stopped sledding on a Norelco razor.
Posted by: Old Fossil at December 05, 2025 11:15 AM (oftw2)

Word.
Our album had Robert Goulet, Julie Andrews, Bing, and a very young Barbra Striesand ("I Wonder As I Wander") and others.

Posted by: sal at December 05, 2025 11:58 AM (f+FmA)

269 I do contract work at a major food company (that's been in the news recently, unfavorably). I happened to glance at a company holiday schedule that was posted in a break area. Besides Oct 12 listed as "Indigenous People's Day", December 25th is listed as "Winter Holiday". The 24th is listed as "Winter Holiday Eve".

I shit you not.

Posted by: Kareem of Wheat at December 05, 2025 11:58 AM (kxFzr)

270 How many here enjoy "Oy to the World - A Klazmer Christmas" ?

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 05, 2025 11:58 AM (c3sdc)

271 I like Wham!’s Last Christmas…. I’m serious

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at December 05, 2025 11:59 AM (YobFY)

272 December 25th is listed as "Winter Holiday". The 24th is listed as "Winter Holiday Eve".

I shit you not.
Posted by: Kareem of Wheat at December 05, 2025 11:58 AM (kxFzr)

They're not celebrating Kwanzaa? What bigots do you work for?

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 05, 2025 11:59 AM (PiwSw)

273 "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" drives me nuts. It was actually written by the guy who wrote "Rudolph."

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 12:00 PM (77rzZ)

274
Behold a silly tender Babe, in freezing winter night;
In homely manger trembling lies, alas a piteous sight:
The inns are full, no man will yield this little Pilgrim bed,
But forced He is with silly beasts, in crib to shroud His head.
Despise Him not for lying there, first what He is enquire:
An orient pearl is often found, in depth of dirty mire;
Weigh not His crib, His wooden dish, nor beasts that by Him feed:
Weigh not His mother's poor attire, nor Joseph's simple weed.
This stable is a Prince's court, the crib His chair of state:
The beasts are parcel of His pomp, the wooden dish His plate.
The persons in that poor attire, His royal liveries wear,
The Prince Himself is come from heaven, this pomp is prizèd there.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 05, 2025 12:00 PM (tgvbd)

275
Dmitri is here
is cable guy

Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 12:00 PM (QRv6r)

276 Besides Oct 12 listed as "Indigenous People's Day", December 25th is listed as "Winter Holiday". The 24th is listed as "Winter Holiday Eve".

I shit you not.
Posted by: Kareem

Find somewhere else to work.
Quickly!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 05, 2025 12:00 PM (AsaWd)

277 Being over 29, I seem to remember the Monkees doing a very nice version of Rui Rui Chui, an old, old Spanish carol, on a Christmas program. I looked it up and it's still on YouTube.
Posted by: Tuna at December 05, 2025 11:57 AM (lJ0H4)

YES! I love this version! They do such a nice job. It's a cool song.

Posted by: hobbitopoly at December 05, 2025 12:00 PM (k9OZB)

278 Our church does a LOT of new hymns, most of them I don't know so it makes it rough to sing along. But they are hymns, basically riffing on the Psalms so they aren't bad.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at December 05, 2025 12:00 PM (xcxpd)

279 Ben Had, I will pass along your kind comment to Mr. Bassman. I enjoy that CD as well, but it leaves me feeling a bit empty because it's 99% secular. The one bit of Biblical content was actually written by the most atheistic member of the group. "Peace on earth, goodwill to men, and the women, and the children, and the people everywhere ..." in Christmas Party.

Posted by: Emmie -- be strong and courageous! at December 05, 2025 12:00 PM (FMtrg)

280 > But of course.

Canada Moves To Ban Public Religious Expression
-----------
All religions? Or, you know, just certain one(s)?

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 05, 2025 12:00 PM (NwnyJ)

281 How many here enjoy "Oy to the World - A Klazmer Christmas" ?
Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure

"Christmastime for the Jews"

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 12:00 PM (77rzZ)

282 And 'Last Christmas' is just gay porn. It's not a Christmas song anymore than Die Hard is a Christmas movie.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at December 05, 2025 12:01 PM (xcxpd)

283 271 I like Wham!’s Last Christmas…. I’m serious
Posted by: LinusVanPelt at December 05, 2025 11:59 AM (YobFY)

No shame in that imo. I think Christmas should be a joyous time and not a sobering time.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 12:01 PM (KDPiq)

284 Did Judas Priest and Ozzy Ozbourne cut such albums?
Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 05, 2025 11:37 AM (a3CJ+)

Not a traditional song. Here's Ozzy and Jessica Simpson singing "Winter Wonderland".

https://youtu.be/XKpldY-OIbY

Give it a listen if you hate your life.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 05, 2025 12:02 PM (ExV1e)

285 >not a Christmas song anymore than Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
----

who whoa WHOA

Posted by: Don Black at December 05, 2025 12:02 PM (QRv6r)

286 But of course.

Canada Moves To Ban Public Religious Expression

-
Back to the catacombs, m*th*rf*ck*rs!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 05, 2025 11:55 AM (L/fGl)

This is in Quebec, not a nationwide thing. I am not surprised at all that it is happening there. Although give it few years and it could be nationwide.

On the carol front, I'll add the Huron Carol (Twas in the Moon of Wintertime), written in 1643 by a missionary to the Hurons:

https://tinyurl.com/mrxm2k4v

Posted by: Vendette at December 05, 2025 12:02 PM (DNP8c)

287 Deck the halls with Boston Charlie,
Fa la la...

Posted by: pawn at December 05, 2025 12:02 PM (70YV/)

288 No shame in that imo. I think Christmas should be a joyous time and not a sobering time.
------------
That's why God gave us Egg Nog.

Posted by: Pudinhead at December 05, 2025 12:02 PM (Wg6v7)

289 My church choir consists of 4-6 ladies and 2-5 gentlemen on any given Sunday. I'm usually the only baritone.

This Christmas Eve we are singing Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, and one of the associate priests has deigned to join us so we have a second deep voice just for this piece.

People just aren't learning how to sing any more, which is one of the reason the old complex pieces have fallen out of favor. The postmodern "challenge" the music directors bring is more owing to culture shock than musical complexity.

And I have no problem with proclaiming Christ in the music and languages of different cultures, since his Gospel is universal. But I don't know why it has to be at Christmas.

Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at December 05, 2025 12:02 PM (GD2xa)

290 As if you didn't have enough to worry about.

JetBlue Jet Nearly Knocked From Sky by Radiation From Exploding Star

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 05, 2025 12:02 PM (L/fGl)

291 263 The Pogues "A Fairytale of New York"
Posted by: Smell the Glove at December 05, 2025 11:57 AM (bfwj/)

It's dark but I kinda love it

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at December 05, 2025 12:03 PM (xcxpd)

292 I shit you not.

Posted by: Kareem of Wheat at December 05, 2025 11:58 AM (kxFzr)

I am happily Jewish and that sort of stuff infuriates me.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 05, 2025 12:03 PM (Zv8bq)

293 So is ‘ Baby it’s Cold Outside’ still being banned by #metoo?

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 12:03 PM (KDPiq)

294 Canada Moves To Ban Public Religious Expression

Why do I have the feeling that certain religions will be less banned than others?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 05, 2025 12:03 PM (ExV1e)

295 My favorite is Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Judy Garland....I also like Mary Did You Know by Pentatonix...

Posted by: It's me donna at December 05, 2025 12:03 PM (VE6XX)

296 I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus

Posted by: For modern audiences at December 05, 2025 12:04 PM (TbWk/)

297 Everyone has their favorites. And their dogs.

But even though it can be hectic I do love it; the music (I probably have close to 100 albums and CDs of various Christmas music), the food, the gifts (though increasingly we are focusing on the kids in the extended family and less on the adults), and family and friends.

We have a whole week of stuff, with a pre-Christmas Christmas party that finishes off putting on the ornaments on the big tree that just devolves into a party of food and drink by the end; a Christmas Eve gathering with family favs, then Midnight Mass where I am in the choir, then gifts Christmas morning, with a more elaborate meal that day and then the weekend following an extended family gathering with more food and gifts and a family band concert of non-Christmas music. Love it all.

Posted by: Black JEM at December 05, 2025 12:04 PM (GZYu7)

298 Least favorite is "Santa Baby"

Posted by: Ben Had at December 05, 2025 12:04 PM (sDNVV)

299 Surprising enough, the singer from judas priest came out with a chirstmas album. Seemed to be a fad for metal bands for a while there. Most are done good, a tad less metal, and a bit more christmas. I'm thinking the trans siberian orchestra inspired a lot of them to do it.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 05, 2025 12:04 PM (snZF9)

300 Well I'd give Isaiah at least part of the credit.
Posted by: Tom Servo at December 05, 2025 11:56 AM (uWKK

Absolutely.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 05, 2025 12:04 PM (PiwSw)

301 For all practical purposes, common era means Christian era. Those who use it today aren't too aware of that fact.
Posted by: publius,

Thank you for this info.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 12:05 PM (77rzZ)

302 So is ‘ Baby it’s Cold Outside’ still being banned by #metoo?
Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 12:03 PM (KDPiq)

Someone should do a female duet version. It'd be number one on the charts immediately.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 05, 2025 12:05 PM (ExV1e)

303 298
‘ Least favorite is "Santa Baby"’

Yeah. That’s pretty bad.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 05, 2025 12:05 PM (jbnUc)

304 My favorite Christmas hymn is Oh Holy Night. It was just playing. We're decorating the tree.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at December 05, 2025 12:05 PM (2J/Lj)

305 298 Least favorite is "Santa Baby"
Posted by: Ben Had at December 05, 2025 12:04 PM (sDNVV)

Eartha Kitt singing it isn't too bad but Madonna's version sucks...

Posted by: It's me donna at December 05, 2025 12:06 PM (VE6XX)

306 Twisted Sister made a Christmas carol album. It kinda kicks ass.

Posted by: Good twisted fun at December 05, 2025 12:06 PM (TbWk/)

307 For all practical purposes, common era means Christian era. Those who use it today aren't too aware of that fact.
Posted by: publius,

Thank you for this info.
Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 12:05 PM (77rzZ)

Then why not say Christian Era since it’s replacing Christ in previously used BC?

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 12:06 PM (KDPiq)

308 Eartha Kitt singing it isn't too bad but Madonna's version sucks...
Posted by: It's me donna at December 05, 2025 12:06 PM (VE6XX)

Rumor has it, based on her coffee table book, that Madonna sucked a lot.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 05, 2025 12:07 PM (ExV1e)

309 296 I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus
Posted by: For modern audiences at December 05, 2025 12:04 PM (TbWk/)

I saw Achmed killing Santa Claus

--proper Islamic version

Posted by: XTC at December 05, 2025 12:07 PM (UnA8+)

310 St. Olaf went woke 25 years ago. I used to watch to see 19 year old Nordic lasses. Now, they are fatties and leftists. PBS can go squeeze a breeze.

Posted by: Old Yeller at December 05, 2025 12:07 PM (oftw2)

311 The Christmas song I absolutely cannot abide is Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time

Posted by: screaming in digital at December 05, 2025 12:07 PM (UONii)

312 Fun Fact:

Every Christmas Song Sounds better sung by Indians.

https://tinyurl.com/2s3ax8jk

Posted by: Thomas Bender at December 05, 2025 12:07 PM (XV/Pl)

313 Then why not say Christian Era since it’s replacing Christ in previously used BC?
Posted by: the way I see it

That's what I was saying on the last thread.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 12:07 PM (77rzZ)

314 Rumor has it, based on her coffee table book, that Madonna sucked a lot.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 05, 2025 12:07 PM (ExV1e)

I knew when I wrote that I'd get that response... LOL

Posted by: It's me donna at December 05, 2025 12:08 PM (VE6XX)

315 313 Then why not say Christian Era since it’s replacing Christ in previously used BC?
Posted by: the way I see it

When they use BCE it pisses me off...

Posted by: It's me donna at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (VE6XX)

316 On the carol front, I'll add the Huron Carol (Twas in the Moon of Wintertime), written in 1643 by a missionary to the Hurons:

https://tinyurl.com/mrxm2k4v
Posted by: Vendette
---
I didn't know this one. I really enjoyed it!

Posted by: screaming in digital at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (UONii)

317 311 The Christmas song I absolutely cannot abide is Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time
Posted by: screaming in digital at December 05, 2025 12:07 PM (UONii)

I'll go one worse.

The Waitresses - "Christmas Wrapping".

Posted by: XTC at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (UnA8+)

318 It's pretty hard to screw up Christmas music, but choir directors are up to the challenge. They think people are there for them, with a liturgy as the backdrop. Last year attended midnight Mass and no Silent Night.

Mary Did you know? is sort of blasphemous if you read the gospel story of the Annunciation. Mary definitely knew. The Angel Gabriel told her all about it. "Blessed is the fruit of thy womb."

Posted by: Ted Torgerson at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (wGerL)

319 Thank you for this info.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 12:05 PM (77rzZ)

It's probably not correct. There is a fair amount of scholarship that suggests that vulgar/common was to differentiate from counting the year based on the king's reign.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (Zv8bq)

320 I knew when I wrote that I'd get that response... LOL
Posted by: It's me donna at December 05, 2025 12:08 PM (VE6XX)

I couldn't leave you hangin'.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (ExV1e)

321 311 The Christmas song I absolutely cannot abide is Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time
Posted by: screaming in digital at December 05, 2025 12:07 PM (UONii)

"Bing, bong, bing, bo----"

"SHADDDDAAAAAAAP!!!!"

Posted by: Warai-otoko being involuntarily subjected to that song in a public place at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (JwNbV)

322 Hey, SiD is here!

Hey, SiD!

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (77rzZ)

323 That's what I was saying on the last thread.
Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 12:07 PM (77rzZ)

I don’t think you were saying it should be officially called Christian Era but that Christians should just say it themselves.

Correct me if I’m wrong.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (KDPiq)

324 Least favorite Christmas movie: Love Actually. I hate flick . My sister loves it. Watches every year.

Posted by: Tuna at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (lJ0H4)

325 It's probably not correct. There is a fair amount of scholarship that suggests that vulgar/common was to differentiate from counting the year based on the king's reign.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

I thought that was mentioned in the post.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 12:10 PM (77rzZ)

326 324 Least favorite Christmas movie: Love Actually. I hate flick . My sister loves it. Watches every year.
Posted by: Tuna at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (lJ0H4)

I love that movie

Posted by: It's me donna at December 05, 2025 12:11 PM (VE6XX)

327 *waves to Bulg*

Posted by: screaming in digital at December 05, 2025 12:11 PM (UONii)

328 311
‘ The Christmas song I absolutely cannot abide…’

But the choir of children practiced all year long.
‘Ding dong!
Ding dong!
Ding dong!
Ding dong!
Ding dong!..’

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 05, 2025 12:11 PM (jbnUc)

329 @324

>>Least favorite Christmas movie: Love Actually. I hate flick . My sister loves it. Watches every year.

It might be one of the greatest rom-coms and Christmas movies ever.

Well, Die Hard is the greatest Christmas movie, but Love Actually top 5 for sure.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at December 05, 2025 12:11 PM (XV/Pl)

330 Least favorite Christmas movie: Love Actually. I hate flick . My sister loves it. Watches every year.
Posted by: Tuna at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (lJ0H4)

You don't appreciate the "I found true love as a lighting stand-in for a porn studio" storyline?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 05, 2025 12:11 PM (ExV1e)

331 I'll go one worse.

The Waitresses - "Christmas Wrapping".
Posted by: XTC at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (UnA8+)

Love that one. Again joyous music to me.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 12:12 PM (KDPiq)

332 I don’t think you were saying it should be officially called Christian Era but that Christians should just say it themselves.

Correct me if I’m wrong.
Posted by: the way I see it

Yes, that's why I was saying. Not sure how it differs from what you were saying.

Their just letters. You can make them stand for whatever you want.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 12:12 PM (77rzZ)

333
el jefe es nood

Posted by: AltonJackson at December 05, 2025 12:12 PM (tljrc)

334 *detects Bulg* oWo what's this?

Posted by: Bulgy bulg, bulgity bulg at December 05, 2025 12:12 PM (TbWk/)

335 The number of established and up and coming stars in Love Actually is pretty amazing.

It's a great film.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at December 05, 2025 12:12 PM (XV/Pl)

336 324 Least favorite Christmas movie: Love Actually. I hate flick . My sister loves it. Watches every year.
Posted by: Tuna at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (lJ0H4)

I highly recommend Neal Stephenson's novel REAMDE, in which the protagonist disables one of her enemies by slashing him in the femoral artery with the broken shard of a Love Actually DVD. For once, the movie came in useful.

Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at December 05, 2025 12:12 PM (GD2xa)

337 Well, Die Hard is the greatest Christmas movie, but Love Actually top 5 for sure.
Posted by: Thomas Bender

THE LION IN WINTER.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 12:12 PM (77rzZ)

338 The real quote is "Peace on Earth to men of goodwill."

Posted by: no one at December 05, 2025 12:12 PM (W7XSX)

339 336 I highly recommend Neal Stephenson's novel REAMDE, in which the protagonist disables one of her enemies by slashing him in the femoral artery with the broken shard of a Love Actually DVD. For once, the movie came in useful.
Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at December 05, 2025 12:12 PM (GD2xa)

But did he do it MATHEMATICALLY?

Posted by: XTC at December 05, 2025 12:13 PM (UnA8+)

340 '9 Days of Judgement' by The Crooked House Male Voice Choir
(Basically the 12 Days of Christmas adapted to H.P. Lovecraft)

https://youtu.be/lqGbZ2z7T7s

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 05, 2025 12:13 PM (O7YUW)

341 O Come O Come Emmanuel is now my new favorite Christmas hymn - all seven verses. Reading the lyrics, it is the entire life and ministry and purpose of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent and Once in Royal David's City were my previous favorites, now one and two. Other than overseas, the only churches that seem to sing these type of hymns now are the Presbyterian Church of American churches, so if there is one in your area, definitely go to their Christmas eve service. It is usually a Carols service that include these types of hymns.

Posted by: moki at December 05, 2025 12:13 PM (wLjpr)

342
Mary Did you know? is sort of blasphemous if you read the gospel story of the Annunciation. Mary definitely knew. The Angel Gabriel told her all about it. "Blessed is the fruit of thy womb."
Posted by: Ted Torgerson at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (wGerL)

__________

V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 05, 2025 12:13 PM (tgvbd)

343 Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 12:12 PM (77rzZ)

And then following your logic you don’t have a problem with Christmas being renamed Winter Holiday.

Posted by: the way I see it at December 05, 2025 12:13 PM (KDPiq)

344 Chuck Schumer
@SenSchumer
Pete Hegseth is not qualified to serve as Secretary of Defense. Our troops deserve better.
He must resign.

-
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 05, 2025 12:14 PM (L/fGl)

345 " Joyeux Noel" is a Christmas movie.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 05, 2025 12:14 PM (sDNVV)

346 But did he do it MATHEMATICALLY?
Posted by: XTC at December 05, 2025 12:13 PM (UnA8+)

There's no math when defending yourself against attempted r@pe.

Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at December 05, 2025 12:14 PM (GD2xa)

347 THE LION IN WINTER.
Posted by: Bulg

The dysfunctional family Christmas. Yep, it's a great movie. Love it.

Posted by: Tuna at December 05, 2025 12:15 PM (lJ0H4)

348
Snood

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 05, 2025 12:15 PM (tgvbd)

349 It's pretty hard to screw up Christmas music, but choir directors are up to the challenge. They think people are there for them, with a liturgy as the backdrop. Last year attended midnight Mass and no Silent Night.

Posted by: Ted Torgerson at December 05, 2025 12:09 PM (wGerL)

Thats what I was getting at with my comment at #250. Mrs B's choir director is insane. He thinks he's running a broadway show, and spends money like it. All new outfits, a new organ...a frigging new pipe organ. I can't even imagine what that cost.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at December 05, 2025 12:15 PM (snZF9)

350 And then following your logic you don’t have a problem with Christmas being renamed Winter Holiday.
Posted by: the way I see it

Oh, for crying out loud. I've had it with you people on this topic.

Posted by: Bulg at December 05, 2025 12:15 PM (77rzZ)

351 346 There's no math when defending yourself against attempted r@pe.
Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at December 05, 2025 12:14 PM (GD2xa)

It's not Neal Stephenson if there's no math.

Posted by: XTC at December 05, 2025 12:17 PM (UnA8+)

352 Well, Die Hard is the greatest Christmas movie, but Love Actually top 5 for sure.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at December 05, 2025 12:11 PM (XV/Pl)
==
It is not a Christmas Movie. It's an action movie that takes place at Christmas but the sentiments of Christmas are non-existent in any of the plot lines.

Posted by: Black JEM at December 05, 2025 12:18 PM (GZYu7)

353 You nailed it, Buck. Christmas concerts without Christmas songs are just plain stupid. Kind of like Christmas cards that don't say, "Merry Christmas!"

Posted by: Ralph at December 05, 2025 12:20 PM (8WZD4)

354 When one uses the term Common Era instead of anno Domini or as my grandfather would say, 'in the year of our Lord', I consider it a tell. It is either Before Christ or anno Domini; BC or AD, otherwise is to deny Him.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 05, 2025 12:22 PM (SZI4T)

355 The Mormom Tabernacle Choir is about the last traditional choir. We have worn out our recording.

Posted by: Random PJ at December 05, 2025 12:22 PM (RRCAT)

356 Last year's concert from the Tabernacle Choir just got broadcast on PBS a week ago and it was quite good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obZDWSUxwVo

Posted by: pkudude99 at December 05, 2025 12:22 PM (ODCB/)

357 It is not a Christmas Movie. It's an action movie that takes place at Christmas but the sentiments of Christmas are non-existent in any of the plot lines.
Posted by: Black JEM at December 05, 2025 12:18 PM (GZYu7)
Duh. Opening the secure vault is a Christmas gift from the FBI to Hanz and Theo. Theo even says "Merry Christmas."

Also Christmas sentiment includes candy, and Al Leong takes candy just before shooting up the SWAT team.

Winning back your family by killing terrorists is a time honored Christmas sentiment.

Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at December 05, 2025 12:23 PM (GD2xa)

358 209 168 6 minute YT on how Latin sounded and how we know.

https://is.gd/Q5nmAL
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Stranger In a Strange Land at December 0

----

Thanks, it looks like scholars have been able to make deductions based on clues and good research, so some measure of understanding of how it's pronounced. Would our pronunciation be closer to french or italian or portuguese, all .romance languages derived from latin? Anyway, American english is pronounced in different ways in West Virginia, Maine, the South and C.alifornia.

Posted by: JM in Illinois at December 05, 2025 12:23 PM (bHjkq)

359 Hind tit is the sweetest of all.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 05, 2025 12:24 PM (SZI4T)

360 264 I actually love McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time".
Posted by: Megthered at December 05, 2025 11:57 AM (kmh+J)
-------
My god, no.

Posted by: ballistic at December 05, 2025 12:24 PM (5aZAZ)

361 Formerly Virginian: "We're singing "Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus" this Sunday at church."
------------------------------
One of my favorites. Especially when sung to the tune of the old Welsh hymn, 'Hyfrydol'.

Posted by: Dagwood at December 05, 2025 12:30 PM (CC0N1)

362 289: People just aren't learning how to sing any more, which is one of the reason the old complex pieces have fallen out of favor. The postmodern "challenge" the music directors bring is more owing to culture shock than musical complexity.

Just wait until AI is really set loose on songwriting and music making, including sacred music. My daughter, who is studying music at a small Christian college, told me about some "worship song" that was completely AI. For the record, she LOATHES the use of AI in music, and appreciates the variation and "humanness" of people actually singing and playing instruments.

Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at December 05, 2025 01:04 PM (uY1j2)

363 At our Christmas concert (https://www.chicagomastersingers.org ) we lead off with "Once in Royal David's City" and the next to last tune is "O Come All Ye Faithful" as a sing-along for the audience. Yeah, we mix some unfamiliar stuff in there - and we're singing "Deck the Halls" arranged in 7/8 time (definitely NOT a sing-along), but you will get to hear familiar stuff.

Posted by: RonF at December 05, 2025 01:20 PM (NAyZt)

364 "pretty much anywhere you can get to Al Gore's Amazing Internet"

To be fair:

What we now call the Internet was at one point Arpanet and was pretty much limited to Department of Defense facilities and research universities. Al Gore pushed a bill that established (what was then) high-speed switching centers and relatively large bandwidth links among major urban centers that helped open the network up to commercial and consumer interests and started us on the road to the Internet as we know it today. Heck, the ".com" top level domain was added to the net long after .mil, .edu, etc. When it first started out commercial entities were BANNED from using it.

Posted by: RonF at December 05, 2025 01:31 PM (NAyZt)

365 104 No one knows how the words were pronounced. Or sung.
Posted by: JM i

Not even priests officiating at a Traditional Latin Mass?

The RCC pronounces Latin as if it were Italian. This is authentic as the pronunciation changed along with the Vulgar Latin that became Italian. At one time, every country whose students learned Latin pronounced as if it were their own language. Thus English-speaking Latin students would pronounce the “c” in “excelsis” the same way they would pronounce the “c” in “France”. Then circa 1905 the attempt was made to reproduce the way the ancient Romans pronounced Latin: “exkelsis”. This IMHO killed Latin as a living scholarly language. By the way, “excelsis” is pronounced as “exchelsis” by the RCC because that’s how Italian handles “c” followed by “e”.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at December 05, 2025 01:35 PM (X5qGl)

366 364: hence my referring to 1994-1995 as the democratization of the Internet, not the start.

Posted by: Cow Demon at December 05, 2025 01:56 PM (6KcYW)

367 Some of you folks need to take part in radio station music tests...because the songs y'all are complaining about the most?

They're almost always the ones that test the best.
So, at least in my case, I give the listeners what they tell me they want, whether that's Mariah Carey, Paul McCartney, or even Do They Know It's Christmas (which I loathe).

And if you don't listen to radio...then why should I care, as a programmer, what you think.

There's your brutal honesty for the day.

Posted by: Captain Whitebread at December 05, 2025 02:00 PM (nBNUK)

368 O Come O Come Emmanuel is now my new favorite Christmas hymn - all seven verses.

I've loved that for years. Even the version Skillet released this year.

Posted by: Captain Whitebread at December 05, 2025 02:04 PM (nBNUK)

369 Back when the Climate Change Nuts were changing Christmas Songs to mention Global Warming/Climate Change and many have replaced songs like O HOLY NIGHT, DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE, ANGLES WE HAVE HRAED ON HIGH with stuff like GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BYA REINDEER and DO THEY KNOW ITS CHRISTMAS

Posted by: Tamaa the Drongo Bird at December 05, 2025 06:59 PM (wGqjj)

370 I wish we could ban “My Grown-Up Christmas List”, which is basically a Christmas version of “Imagine.”

Posted by: He learned almost too late, that Moron is a feeling creature at December 05, 2025 08:14 PM (7kSOl)

371 .
.
Have yourself a Pougey-wougey Christmas.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8

Posted by: Marooned at December 05, 2025 09:17 PM (kt8QE)

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Posted by: boyarka at December 16, 2025 02:31 PM (e6jJw)

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