It does not seem like the holiday season here in Louisville, Kentucky USA. It was in the 60's (Fareinheit) and it was rainy. Yes, there are 21 more days until Christmas and it looks like a late February/early March day in terms of weather. But it is the holiday season, you cannot judge by the way things look outside.
All of the man-made trappings are out. Many people have decked their houses and yards in "Christmas" lights. People are trying to get the Christmas Spirit listening to the music and watching old Christmas movies, and wearing festive holiday clothing.
The music is probably the most powerful of the different aspects of the Christmas season for most people. The music goes everywhere and can be heard .. . in stores . . . the malls . . . and on the radio. People sing it to themselves as they drive, and wash dishes.
I'm dreaming of what?
As I think about illusions at the holiday, Music comes to mind. One of the all-time best selling recordings is that of White Christmas by Irving Berlin. The opening line is about someone dreaming about a snowy Christmas like the ones he used to know.
The irony of it all is that Irving Berlin was jewish. He did not keep Christmas as a child . . . he kept Haunukuh and even while as a secular jewish who was not observant, he did not keep Christmas during that time either. From the different sources I could briefly piece together, he wrote a song for the Christmas market because it would sell. Yes, he made a lot of money off of it.
Don't get me wrong, the song was a morale booster to American troops during World War II. It made them think about getting home for Christmas. However, the point is, at its basic nature, the song is an illusion--the composer simply composed something and it did not appear to be from his heart.
Music has this surprising power over us to change our emotions. We get sad with songs and we get happy with sons.
All of the man-made trappings are out. Many people have decked their houses and yards in "Christmas" lights. People are trying to get the Christmas Spirit listening to the music and watching old Christmas movies, and wearing festive holiday clothing.
The music is probably the most powerful of the different aspects of the Christmas season for most people. The music goes everywhere and can be heard .. . in stores . . . the malls . . . and on the radio. People sing it to themselves as they drive, and wash dishes.
I'm dreaming of what?
As I think about illusions at the holiday, Music comes to mind. One of the all-time best selling recordings is that of White Christmas by Irving Berlin. The opening line is about someone dreaming about a snowy Christmas like the ones he used to know.
The irony of it all is that Irving Berlin was jewish. He did not keep Christmas as a child . . . he kept Haunukuh and even while as a secular jewish who was not observant, he did not keep Christmas during that time either. From the different sources I could briefly piece together, he wrote a song for the Christmas market because it would sell. Yes, he made a lot of money off of it.
Don't get me wrong, the song was a morale booster to American troops during World War II. It made them think about getting home for Christmas. However, the point is, at its basic nature, the song is an illusion--the composer simply composed something and it did not appear to be from his heart.
Music has this surprising power over us to change our emotions. We get sad with songs and we get happy with sons.
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