Patrick St. Cork City, Ireland Unilingual Irish-language ‘Happy Christmas’ banner, outside the former Roches Stores building, in which ‘Nollaig’ means ‘Christmas’ and ‘Shona’ means ‘Happy’ in Irish. Source:Mucklagh, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0&gt;, via Wikimedia Commons

Happy Holidays to Christians and non-Christians alike from a confirmed non-believer!

Honestly, I think I’m more Christian than many Christians (especially those American Christian Nationalists who twist the gospels into shreds to suit their hatred of non-whites and gays, and attempt to transform Jesus into something resembling Rambo). When I was growing up, my parents limited Christmas gifts to a measly $25.00 per person (due to inflation, the limit is now 50 euros). We gave the rest of the money set aside for Christmas to non-profits dedicated to helping the homeless and poor, a practice I have kept to this day. I’ve always thought that Jesus was a pretty cool guy, especially when he turned over the tables of the money-changers at the temple, so I have no problem celebrating his birthday. I loved helping Granny light the candles per the Irish tradition, and I never touched the glass of Guinness set aside for Santa.

And just to confirm my admiration for the Savior, last month I spent a whole day turning the other cheek while listening to far-right representatives from various EU countries bash homosexuals, bisexuals, gay marriage and atheism, and afterward, we all went out for drinks and had a helluva good time. I firmly believe that “judge that ye not be judged” is the wisest advice ever given (though I take it on faith that Jesus would have made an exception for music critics).

I will admit that some of my favorite Christmas songs are of American origin, but in keeping with my now permanent boycott of all things American, you won’t find any of them here. Here’s a hint: Ella, Nat, Perry and Brenda.

Moya Brennan, “Carol of the Bells”: Enya’s elder sister released the album An Irish Christmas in September 2006, and by the time December rolled around, all the adults on the Irish side of my family had bought a copy and played it incessantly throughout the holidays. I could have included half the songs on the album in this list of Christmas favorites, but I’m saving my energy for possible reviews of Moya’s solo albums and the recordings she made as lead singer and harpist of Clannad.

“Carol of the Bells” is the opening track and my favorite of the favorites because the arrangement captures the magical aspect of Christmas better than any carol I’ve ever heard. From the windswept opening with bells and guitar dropping gentle hints of the main melody to the stunning shift to thunderous drums and overlapping layers of Moya’s breathy soprano, and finally to the melange of instruments appearing in the second half of the piece, “Carol of the Bells” immerses the listener in a magical soundscape reflecting the true spirit of Christmas.

Moya is one of the good Christians, a fervent Catholic who has supported many worthy causes and serves as Goodwill Ambassador to Christian Blind Mission Ireland, a development organization committed to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities in the poorest communities of the world. She has also donated time, energy and earnings from her music to help people battle addiction and support SafeIreland in the fight against domestic abuse.

If you’re interested in exploring her massive discography, I should note that her birth name is Máire Philomena Ní Bhraonáin, which she shortened and simplified to Máire Brennan when forming Clannad and stuck with that name at the start of her solo career. She finally gave up trying to teach people how to properly pronounce her first name (some called her “Marie”) and adopted the closest phonetic pronunciation of Máire to become Moya Brennan. If you’re wondering how Máire can possibly sound like Moya, join the club. I’ve signed up for a class in Irish Gaelic next year.

Jethro Tull, “A Christmas Song”: It was a jump ball between this one and Ray Davies’ “Father Christmas,” but Ian’s take is more to the point—a point which unfortunately does need making despite the century-long efforts of Charles Dickens: selfish indulgence has no place at the Christmas table or anywhere else.

Once in Royal David’s City stood a lonely cattle shed,
Where a mother held her baby.
You’d do well to remember the things He later said.
When you’re stuffing yourselves at the Christmas parties,
You’ll just laugh when I tell you to take a running jump.
You’re missing the point I’m sure does not need making
That Christmas spirit is not what you drink.

So how can you laugh when your own mother’s hungry,
And how can you smile when the reasons for smiling are wrong?
And if I just messed up your thoughtless pleasures,
Remember, if you wish, this is just a Christmas song.

Charlotte Church, “O Holy Night”: This carol appeared on Charlotte’s third album, Dream a Dream, released in 2000 when Charlotte was fourteen. Her first album (recorded at the age of twelve) bore the title Voice of an Angel, and she certainly lives up to that label here. Supported by a sensitive arrangement written by Julian Smith and played by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Siân Edwards, the girl from Cardiff reveals a gift for phrasing beyond her years, soaring in the emotional peaks and expressing tender wonderment in the lines describing the child in the cradle. All I can say in closing is that Christmas isn’t Christmas without Charlotte Church singing “O Holy Night.”

Sarah McLachlan, “Wintersong”: For many people, Christmas is all about family gatherings. Setting aside those born into dysfunctional families who understandably dread the holidays, Christmas is often a cherished family tradition and sometimes the only time during the year when siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents get to catch up with each other and marvel at the growth of the children. Unfortunately, humans are mortal, and Christmas can take on a melancholy hue when the people we love pass on and are only with us in spirit.

Few Christmas songs are devoted to the loss of a loved one, and all but one of the tracks on Sarah’s holiday album (also titled Wintersong) consist of the usual fare. The only original song on the album was one she had to write to express long-lingering feelings about the loss of a special person in her life, and hopefully continue the healing process.

Sarah McLachlan’s mother passed away a week before Christmas four years ago. But she still lingers in the shining star atop the tree. In the snow on Christmas morning. On the iced over lake.

On the songstress’ first holiday album, “Wintersong,” the bittersweet title track evokes McLachlan’s somber mourning for her mother, who slowly lost her life to cancer.
“I guess my idea was to remember her in a really beautiful moment as opposed to focusing on the negative, which I’m very prone to do,” the musician says. “It’s a reminder to myself to, in the hardest times and darkest hours, try to find something positive.”

McLachlan’s fondest memory of her mother was her Martha Stewart-like ways. Her mother constantly assured the children ate healthy – except during Christmas. “… That was the one time every year where we just got to let it all go and be absolute gluttons,” she laughs. “I remember all the sweets, and that’s a very sweet memory.” (Chris Azzopardi via Pride Source.com)

The arrangement is just Sarah and a piano, as it should be for this intensely personal song. She sings from the heart and never comes close to turning the song into something maudlin. It is impossible for me to hold back the tears, which fall like rain even when I’m only reading the lyrics:

The lake is frozen over
The trees are white with snow
And all around reminders of you
Are everywhere I go

It’s late and morning’s in no hurry
But sleep won’t set me free
I lie awake and try to recall
How your body felt beside me
When silence gets too hard to handle
And the night too long

This is how I see you
In the snow on Christmas morning
Love and happiness surround you
As you throw your arms up to the sky
I keep this moment by and by
Oh I miss you now, my love
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas, my love

Sense the joy fills the air
And I daydream and I stare
Up at the tree and I see
Your star up there

This is how I see you
In the snow on Christmas morning
Love and happiness surround you
As you throw your arms up to the sky
I keep this moment by and by

Life is a fragile thing, and it is so important to cherish the moments you spend with the people you love.

The Cambridge Singers & John Rutter, “Angels We Have Heard on High”: The Cambridge Singers are a mixed voice choir, able to cover the gamut from soprano to alto to tenor to bass. John Rutter’s arrangement for this song covers the full range of voices, beautifully layered and placed for maximum effect.

I performed in choirs in junior high and high school, and whenever the choir finally nailed a piece, tears of joy fell from my eyes. I love the sound of diverse voices coming together because it confirms that humans have the capacity to join together to create something beautiful if we try hard enough. That also explains why the Cambridge Singers landed five spots on my 30-track Christmas playlist.

The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, “Fairytale of New York”: While it may not be the best way to celebrate the birth of Christ, the song reminds us of the billions of people who never get a break and wind up regretting their miserable lives—just the kind of people Jesus wanted to help. As noted in the article “Jesus and the Outcasts” via the Cru Ministry, “Jesus sought people others avoided. He moved toward the hurting, the shamed, and the feared.” That pretty much describes the couple in “Fairytale of New York.”

And lo and behold, I found an uncensored (albeit truncated) version of the BBC performance on YouTube! Let him have it, Kirsty!

I will be taking ten days off from both work and writing to enjoy the holiday season, but I’ll be back before the end of the year to wrap up my exploration of the Moody Blues. Be safe, be happy, don’t drink and drive, and try to do something to help those who truly need the help.

In closing, I am happy to report that this year I received visitors from 193 of the 195 countries in existence today, and would like to extend special wishes to the Top 10. So, Joyeux Noël, Feliz Navidad, Feliz Natal, Frohe Weihnachten, Vrolijk Kerstfeest, Buon Natale. 聖誕快樂, God Jul, Nollaig Shona, and Merry Christmas to all!