December 1, 2009
Society is increasingly niche-oriented. Yet one of the few remaining shared cultural experiences in the West is that of Christmas, particularly its rich musical heritage. Even the millions that either don’t celebrate the holiday or don’t celebrate the person it’s really about are well-versed in its musical cultural vernacular. The celebratory hymns of praise to the Christ-Child, the melancholy dirges that pull at our hearts as we sit sit quietly in a darkened room lit only by a Christmas tree and a wood burning stove; the memories of opening presents with family, of serving Christmas dinner at a local food kitchen, of giving away old coats to the homeless, of driving around looking at lights: these are the emotions and experiences that Christmas has burned into me and, I expect, many others. This blog is to bask in the warmth of my favorite Christmas music over the years. Some of it is dated, forgotten by pop culture sensitivities and the hipster elite (do the hipster elite even admit to liking any Christmas music?). But it is beloved. (Feel free to submit songs for posting; I will pass them on at my discretion. Since Tumblr’s submission feature does not include audio posts, just submit a direct link to a hosted mp3, or post it to your own tumblr and I’ll reblog it.)

Society is increasingly niche-oriented. Yet one of the few remaining shared cultural experiences in the West is that of Christmas, particularly its rich musical heritage. Even the millions that either don’t celebrate the holiday or don’t celebrate the person it’s really about are well-versed in its musical cultural vernacular.

The celebratory hymns of praise to the Christ-Child, the melancholy dirges that pull at our hearts as we sit sit quietly in a darkened room lit only by a Christmas tree and a wood burning stove; the memories of opening presents with family, of serving Christmas dinner at a local food kitchen, of giving away old coats to the homeless, of driving around looking at lights: these are the emotions and experiences that Christmas has burned into me and, I expect, many others.

This blog is to bask in the warmth of my favorite Christmas music over the years. Some of it is dated, forgotten by pop culture sensitivities and the hipster elite (do the hipster elite even admit to liking any Christmas music?).

But it is beloved.

(Feel free to submit songs for posting; I will pass them on at my discretion. Since Tumblr’s submission feature does not include audio posts, just submit a direct link to a hosted mp3, or post it to your own tumblr and I’ll reblog it.)