Blazingcatfur

If only Americans would “listen to the science” and stop believing in “superstitions.”

This year the annual attacks on Christmas went beyond complaints about holiday salutations or public creches. Blue-state governors and mayors like California’s Gavin Newsom and government clerks like Anthony Fauci have issued diktats forbidding even private celebrations of Christmas by more than one family at a time. These orders follow on this year’s lockdown protocols that made liquor stores, pot dispensaries, and violent protests “essential,” while church services were verboten.

One of the simple joys of having a bundle of church keys is that you can wander around in the building when others have gone home. Over lockdown, it has been my retreat from noisy children, an office, a sanctuary and a place to think. It is also where I get to say things out loud, testing thoughts out on the silence. “Please, help me!” I said to the altar the other night, more in anger than in expectation. I was surprised how it came out. Too direct to feel like a prayer, it sounded more of a demand I suppose. Or rather, the kind of demand that feels the presence of defeat at the door. News was just in that the husband of one of my congregation had just been killed by Covid. Another death in the parish.

Watching A Charlie Brown Christmas has been a tradition for millions since it first aired on December 9, 1965. This year, many Americans were disappointed that Apple TV scooped up the streaming rights for the 2020 season. The outrage ultimately resulted in it showing up on PBS.

Welcome to the Christmas Eve Edition of Reader Fave Carols and thank you all for your contributions! We’re going to have to do a couple of Carol posts tomorrow to get them all in, one dedicated to the novelty submissions. Tonight’s the last night to submit a request so make it a good one – in truth they’ve all been great.

From Robert – Carul Loch Garman – The Wexford Carol

From sanmarten – Alison Krauss and Natalie MacMaster – Get Me Through December

From Grainger – Barenaked Ladies – “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings” Feat. Sarah McLachlan

From Norman in NYC – Adam Lambert & Noa Dori singing ‘The Prayer’-David Foster

From Frances – Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band – Bring Us In Good Ale (Live)

From John in Toronto – Flory Jagoda – Oco Kandelikas (Eight Candles)

From Osumashi – Ella Fitzgerald – Jingle Bells

From Exile – Mary, Did You Know? – Pentatonix

From John in Toronto – The Huron Carol

The Brian Setzer Orchestra- “Nutcracker Suite”