Every year since 2010 I’ve done a series of December diaries focusing on a variety of seasonal topics ranging from music to food to ugly sweaters. (Full disclosure: I did ONE Seasonal diary in 2008, and 2009 (holy crap, how did TEN YEARS go by so fast!) was the first December K2 was with us so I was a little distracted :-)). It’s time to do it again! Don’t worry if Christmas isn’t your thing- while my personal December perspective is primarily secular but culturally Christian-based with a vibrant dose of earth-centered Winter Solstice mixed in because Unitarian Universalism, these diaries are NOT meant to be siege locations in the War On Christmas. In other words, if there’s a holiday in December that makes you happy, that you mark differently than all the other days, or that involves negotiating about who brings what food… or even if there isn’t... this is a place for you!
We talked about December stress management last Saturday, and I hope you’re feeling good tonight! Grab a cuppa whatever beverage you’re enjoying tonight and hop below the Story Break. I implore you with the intensity of Jacob Marley to read our little description and do your part to keep Top Comments going strong!
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Have you ever listened to the words of many Christmas carols? I mean really listened? There’s some really weird stuff going on in there. I have a few examples for you, and hope you’ll share any that come to mind for you! Oh… before I get slammed for mean-spiritedness or an anti-Christmas Carol bias, I love the music. I really am just poking a little at the lyrics. Please don’t report me to Santa. Although coal might be useful, it’s cold outside.
First up:
The lyrics for Mary, Did You Know? were written by Mark Lowry, who Wikipedia tells me says they evolved from a series of questions he scripted for a Christmas program at his church:
I just tried to put into words the unfathomable. I started thinking of the questions I would have for her if I were to sit down & have coffee with Mary. You know, "What was it like raising God?" "What did you know?" "What didn't you know?"”
Which if the song went like that would be awesome! But as is… Dude. Of ALL the people on earth at the time, Mary knew. How? God himself SHOWED THE F UP AND TOLD HER. Before anyone else knew, before the shepherds and wise men and all that, Mary knew.
Next:
Santa Baby has, ever since I first heard the Material Girl version, made me wonder if there was a quid pro quo: Santa delivers the seriously impressive quantity of goods, and gets a Very Special Christmas (Present). I admit that on hearing the original Eartha Kitt version, I’m a lot less “look golddigger, you get COAL”, but still. It is definitely not the song to let the kiddos hear while making their Christmas lists!
Lastly, how about this one:
Do They Know It's Christmas? is one that irks pretty much all of Casa Brillig. It had noble intentions, produced in response to devastating famine in Ethiopia. But therein lies the issue: (1) Africa is a continent, not a country. Not all of Africa was in the midst of famine. (2) It snows in Africa. Including Ethiopia. (3) With over 60% of its population identifying as Christian, a Christian presence since the 1st century, and the only Christian region in Africa to remain so after the expansion of Islam, yes. They are well, WELL aware of Christmas — religious Christmas, not Consumerapaloozamas. Although for the ancient Ethiopian Orthodox community (and all other Orthodox Christians) wishing one another Melkam Genna happens on January 7th.
There are many more I could add here even without the Song That Must Not Be Named because it is viewed in two very disparate ways. I’m sure you have a few, too… so come play in the comments after taking a peek at the trio of Tops that brings you here nightly!
TOP COMMENTS
Brillig's ObDisclaimer: The decision to publish each nomination lies with the evening's Diarist and/or Comment Formatter. My evenings at the helm, I try reeeeallllyy hard to publish everything without regard to content. I really do, even when I disagree personally with any given nomination. "TopCommentness" lies in the eyes of the nominator and of you, the reader - I leave the decision to you. I do not publish self-nominations (ie your own comments) and if I ruled the world, we'd all build community, supporting and uplifting instead of tearing our fellow Kossacks down. Please remember that comment inclusion in Top Comments does not constitute support or endorsement by diarist, formatter, Top Comments writers or DailyKos. Questions, complaints or comments? Contact brillig.
I hope that the reason the cupboards are bare is because everyone was preparing to go to IMPEACH rallies today and didn’t get to send their nominations in. PLEASE remember us in your daily wanderings around the site.
From yours truly, brillig:
Walter Einenkel’s Researchers locate what they believe are two mass graves from Tulsa race massacre of 1921 had a wealth of excellent comments. This one by Toro Blanco on the importance of knowing our history. Also anon004’s comment about race and economics — the entire thread it generated, really. And this especially astute response by bartcopfan to chloris creator’s observant comment.
TOP MOJO
Top Mojo for yesterday, December 16th 2019, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary on FAQing Top Mojo.
TOP PICTURES
Top Pictures for yesterday, December 16th 2019. Click any picture to be taken to the full comment or picture. Thank you jotter!