I often think about things that I am not fond of. At this time of the year, we hear a lot of Christmas music. Some are carols. Others are spiritual. Many are just fun like one of my mom’s favorites, “Granma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” Then there are those that I question why someone even bothers to record them.

“Little Drummer Boy” tops this list. I do not find it to be Biblical. There is no young boy mentioned in the gospels as being at the manger. There are also those other songs and videos that have the animals discussing the baby being a savior. Do animals need a king? They already have lions.

We do not know how many men came from the East to find the newly born king of the Jews. A star had appeared in the night sky that indicated a new king was born in Judah. We know they were astrologers because of this. “We Three Kings” assumes that there were only three of them because they brought three gifts. Matthew tells us they traveled a long distance. He does not call them kings or tell us how many there were.

Ask anyone who has studied ancient customs in the desert areas, and they will tell you that only three people would be a dangerous caravan group. For this type of trip wives were probably included. There would also be servants to take care of these advisors to the king of their country. They would have been sent by their boss. At some point they lost the direction of the star and ended in Jerusalem.

“Go tell it on the Mountain” is another one that I have disliked by numerous artists. This is usually because of the arrangement. I have heard a few that had an entirely different melody and harmony that I enjoy. I am not a long hair music or opera fan. I’m not sure if this is the class this one falls into, but the original tune gives me that old fashioned feeling.

I am not a country music fan by the nature of the genre. This may be part of why some songs strike a bad chord in me. I grew up with the twangy, throat strangling, yodeling style of some of the earliest country artists. KTTS radio in Springfield, that’s Missouri not Ohio, played this for years. Bill Ring, Barefoot Bob and others were the D.J.s. It was my dad’s favorite station, and I walked out of the room when I heard it was playing.

There are good country singers. I posted Dolly’s version of “Mary Did You Know” in that column recently. The afore mentioned “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” is country in origin. I even like Kenny Rogers. Most of the time. But he was a pop artist when he started with “The First Edition.”

“Do You Hear What I Hear?” is another song with questionable lyrics.  A lamb tells a shepherd boy. The little boy that tells a king.  Then the monarch proclaims it to the public, each in turn. The topic of the conversation is a baby that is born. He is described as shivering in the cold.

Then the pitch for the non-profit organizations. Bring him silver and gold. Who wrote this? A Madison Avenue advertising copy writer? Give me a break. Yes, McDonalds, you do not have a trademark on that line.

Then there are Christmas titles and phrases that I find offensive. “Deck the Halls” is one. I enjoy the song. I have known the Hall family for years. Even though I don’t always agree with David, I would not knock him out. We used to hang the Greens before Christmas at our church. I never understood why that family did not boycott the celebration.

What about “The Twelve Days of Christmas?” Originally it was a political commentary. It has now been lengthened to the six months of Christmas. TV channels and marketers begin with July and stretch it to boxing day with the British. We Americans just switch to New Years so we can keep getting drunk.

Pop music brings up a long list of not Biblical and sometimes not so great Christmas songs. “Santa, Baby” is one. Some Santa Claus songs are cute. This one is almost obscene. Justin Bieber’s “Under the Mistletoe” is one I would like to say that I do not like. However, I understand the desire to be with someone special. I’ve enjoyed that for fifty years.

We are talking about my personal preferences here. You might enjoy the songs I do not. If so, that is your choice. I don’t want anyone to say that I am trying to ban anything. I can always turn them off.

©Copyright 2024 by Charles Kensinger