Dear Patient Readers,
Although many of you are not people who celebrate Christmas (or maybe you follow the Christian Orthodox calendar), it is a day that is widely known, so I hope that for most of you, commerce and news slow down, allowing for some festivities or at least some R&R. We hope you enjoy this holiday season in a way that suits you.
I would also like to extend some friendship to those whom I call Christmas orphans, those who may have lived through the traditional Christmas season regularly, but who will be alone this year, perhaps due to health or financial hardship, or family separation, or the death of a close relative. Going through difficult times is lonely, and it’s even more lonely when commercialized Western society bombards consumers with images of happy gatherings, piles of presents, and tables groaning with Christmas food. Indeed, there are elements to Christmas that are truly uplifting. I have to admit that I love decorated Christmas trees and the cheerful lights and decorations that decorate many homes and businesses. This is a welcome counter to the shorter days of winter (for those in the Northern Hemisphere).
And Christmas music, especially choral music, is so moving. Earlier today, I attended an a cappella performance by blind children in one of the foreign clubs here, and they did a great job (imagine not having a conductor who not only keeps the pitch, but also keeps everyone’s tempo steady). Listening to some of their songs gave me chills down my spine.
Due to my lack of proper social skills, I don’t have warm or sentimental feelings towards major holidays, and therefore don’t mind being in a monastery at such times, even if confessing it would further show that I’m a weirdo. However, for those who are alone or cannot go out as much as they would like, it is important to engage in proper self-care and not be bothered by deviations from the norm. As mentioned earlier, if you can get out and have something suitable nearby, I recommend music, especially live performances. If you’re feeling rebellious about Christmas traditions, medieval songs may be an alternative.
Seasoned readers may remember that I have a soft spot for Dimash.
Lambert especially liked this song.
And as a former choral singer, I love the big walls of sound, even though Messiah isn’t technically Christmas music. Although this recording does not offer the pleasure of seeing a performance, it has received top reviews from music lovers, and I found it more chilling than the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s version. The Hallelujah Chorus begins at 139:30.
Now, here’s the schedule. Your team of writers is very dedicated and intends to maintain all coffee breaks over the holidays, but please bear with us if your regular life is interrupted in addition to our “weekend” schedule (links and two other posts), which includes Christmas through New Year’s Day.
We also have a comment holiday. Comments will be turned on, as opposed to being turned off during the holidays, but stuck comments will be released more slowly than usual. I’m scheduled to appear, but I can only appear from midnight Eastern time to noon or a little later. Katiebird will be closed and semperloquitur will check in in the afternoon, except on Christmas Day. Therefore, please wait for a while during the afternoon and evening hours.
And again, I hope you have a wonderful holiday!
