There is a popular Christmas-type song that has always bothered me. I've always liked it, it's a beautiful song, but I've never really understood it. You've probably heard it - Greg Lake's (of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer) "I Believe in Father Christmas". It goes like this:
They said there'd be snow at Christmas, they said there'd be peace on earth
But instead it just kept on raining, a veil of tears for the Virgin Birth
I remember one Christmas morning, a winter's light and a distant choir
And the peal of a bell and that Christmas tree smell, and their eyes full of tinsel and fire
They sold me a dream of Christmas, they sold me a Silent Night
And they told me a fairy story 'till I believed in the Israelite
And I believed in Father Christmas, and I looked to the sky with excited eyes
And I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn, and I saw him and through his disguise
I wish you a hopeful Christmas, I wish you a brave new year
All anguish pain and sadness leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there'd be snow at Christmas, they said there'd be peace on earth
Hallelujah Noel, be it heaven or hell, the Christmas we get we deserve
But instead it just kept on raining, a veil of tears for the Virgin Birth
I remember one Christmas morning, a winter's light and a distant choir
And the peal of a bell and that Christmas tree smell, and their eyes full of tinsel and fire
They sold me a dream of Christmas, they sold me a Silent Night
And they told me a fairy story 'till I believed in the Israelite
And I believed in Father Christmas, and I looked to the sky with excited eyes
And I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn, and I saw him and through his disguise
I wish you a hopeful Christmas, I wish you a brave new year
All anguish pain and sadness leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there'd be snow at Christmas, they said there'd be peace on earth
Hallelujah Noel, be it heaven or hell, the Christmas we get we deserve
I've always thought, "How sad that someone is so feels so manipulated when it comes to faith and so bitter about Christmas that they would refer to Jesus as a fairy tale and Christmas as an illusion".
So I finally did some checking, and this is what I found.
On Greg Lake's website there is a recording of Greg commenting on this song. This is what he says:
"'I Believe in Father Christmas' has become something of a Christmas classic, which, I'm very happy to say, is a nice thing. It brings sometimes some strange reactions, people who'd say it's anti-religious and all of this, when in reality, it's really about objecting to the commerciality of Christmas, and trying to sort-of, remind people that the Christmas you get you deserve. It's all about giving, it's the joy of giving, and that was the real intention behind the song."There is also an interesting quote on Wikipedia:
"I find it appalling when people say it's politically incorrect to talk about Christmas, you've got to talk about 'The Holiday Season.' Christmas was a time of family warmth and love. There was a feeling of forgiveness, acceptance. And I do believe in Father Christmas."However, also on Wikipedia:
"The video for this song contains shots of the Vietnam War which has led to complaints from some that it should not be shown with light-hearted Christmas songs. These images (such as dozens of rockets being launched from an apache helicopter) are a violent backdrop to a peaceful sounding song - creating a hard-hitting message.I'm not sure where to go with the idea that "the Christmas we get we deserve." I'm not sure that it is simply about the "joy of giving". It's not really a very joyful song. I understand the reference to the naughty-nice list that Santa Claus (a.k.a Father Christmas) is said to have, but I have always wondered if it's not really just a thinly veiled and sarcastic allusion to the writer's bitterness at the concepts of Jesus and salvation and heaven and hell.
Not that it's an issue of any importance, but what do you think?
I am turned off by it, too. I just noticed it, really, and listened closely, then googled the lyrics and found you. It doesn't sound like a rail against commercialism as much as a rail against Christmas in any mode. The Vietnam juxtaposition seems really odd.
ReplyDeleteHey thanks for commenting. Now I know I'm not the only one.
ReplyDeleteI've never really thought about the meaning of the song before, but I heard it on the radio the other day and the first line made me feel sad. -- about the lack of "peace on earth" this Christmas
ReplyDeleteI feel really really sorry for people like you who cannot see the wood for the trees. This song is a beautiful story, about peace and forgiveness and compassion. It really does anger me that so called Christians can get upset over these lyrics. And if you cannot see where this song is going, if you cannot see what this song is about, and if you shout and scream abuse about this song, then you really are, each and every one of you, going straight to hell. He's not saying that Christ or Christianity is a fairy story. What he's effectively saying, is that although he believes in the love and forgiveness of Christ, what he was taught must be a fairy story. Why? Because he was taught in church that Christ was the light and the way, but then sees Church leaders filled with hate and loathing of humanity, of blessing bombs and war, and death and misery. So he is judging Christs message not on Christs behavior, but rather on the behavior of the Clergy and the inhumanity and hypocricy of many churchgoers and their hypocracy. But, rather, if you read between the lines, what he's saying is, "I do believe in Christ and Father Christmas,and the redemption of mankind. But the so called Churchmen must have been telling him "fairy stories", because of their "Unchristian", and Intolerent Beliefs. But what he's really saying is, behold the hypocrites, who preach about the redemption of sin through Christ, but don't apply this to themselves. Oh ye hypocrites who notice the speck in his neighbours eye, but not the beam in his own eyes. Before you cast stones, make sure you follow the example of Christ after preaching about him. For if each of you do not, you are doomed to eternal hell, as a shower of hypocrites and blasphemers. If you cannot go through life, without spreading hatred, intolerance and death, whilst preaching the Love and Forgiveness of Christ, then you might as well be preaching fairy stories. Because God hates Hypocrites, and if you don't practice what you preach, you are turning your face away from God, and away from the love of Christ, and into the ways of Saten. And in the eyes of the Lord this damns you to the pains of an eternal hell.
ReplyDeleteBugsBunny - I agree with every word you wrote about church and Christianity and hypocritical leaders, which you would know if you actually bothered to read my blog, rather than simply leaving a drive-by comment such as this, on a post I wrote over 16 months ago.
ReplyDeleteHowever, for clarification, I was simply stating that I had never really understood this song; not that I disliked it. As well, I don't recall shouting or screaming, and I seriously doubt I'm going to hell for saying that I don't understand it. And I'm not entirely sure at all how that digresses into not practicing what I preach and needing to take the log out of my own eye, as you assert.
Dear Erin,
ReplyDeleteI wasn't talking about you, but the collective "you". Maybe I should have said "we" instead? What I'm trying to say was not personal to anybody, but about the way many Church Leaders talk about the love of Christ, then shout and scream intolerent abuses about other peoples weaknesses. Or the Priest that talks about the love of Christ, but then blesses bombs of destruction. Of the Priest or Minister that condemns Abortion, (which I consider murder), but then wants to hang as many people as possible. Of the Clergy that talks about the poverty and humility of Christ, yet are drapped in Gold, eat the finest meals, and stuff there wallets with as much money as possible. Or of the clergymen who preaches chastity outside of marriage, but himself has affairs with other peoples wifes, or Heavens forbid minors. I was just pointing out that many people preach Christs message, but then as quickly turn away from him. I wasn't meaning to chastise yourself, although admittedly this is what it looks like, as you say. It's just that I have recently left my Church, (Baptist) after the preacher was found to be having an illicit affair with a female student. Note what I say next. Not asking for forgiveness of this sordid affair and an end to it all. But forgiveness for this affair, and the congragations blessings for it's continuance. And it was dully given with many tears, and prayers ect. I did'nt know that a Christian Congragation could be so blind and easily led. And at 21, I know feel that I will worship the Lord in my own way and in my own manner. Free from the hypocracy of any Church. Sorry if I sounded self rightous, but I am very angry at the blatent hypocracy that I know see around me. May God bless you and keep you, and I am truly soory about going off like that.
Stephen
Wow, Stephan, I truly admire your willingness to return and clarify your thoughts. Frequently individuals will comment on some post of mine in some seemingly antagonistic way, then never return to converse. This frustrates me, and forgive me if I projected that onto you.
ReplyDeleteI truly hurt for you if what you say about your Pastor is true. Ministry is one of the most fallible professions, for we are all equally human, and yet those who serve are put upon a pedestal that they cannot live up to. This pressure is sometimes the problem that leads to these types of failures, where a person becomes so entrenched in sin they cannot see beyond it, or they believe they are above reproach. We cannot hold other humans to standards they are unable to maintain, for they will let us down every time.
As I said, I appreciate your honesty and clarification. I am sorry you have seen these events unfold, and I pray you well in your journey to seek Christ. Church is not the perfection of Christ, it is a tool which is appropriate for some, not for others. I am one of the others, and would encourage you not to fear unboxed Christianity, if only for a season as you heal.