Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
So, it’s coming up on that time of year again. The time of year when people are supposed to be just a little bit nicer to each other. A time when magic is in the air and miracles happen. Yes, it’s coming up on Christmas time, again.
And I’m struggling to feel the magic. Again.
I’ve noticed that Christmas seems to mean less to me with with each passing year. Some years I struggle more than others. There’s been years past when I couldn’t even bring myself to put up our tiny Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. Since Winnie and I have been together, during the years I can’t get up the spirit she carries me through it. Including decorating our home.
Other years I’ve been able to muster up enough spirit to do the minimum decorating and card-sending chores. So far, this year has been one of those where I’m actually able to do the minimum. So far. But Christmas is still ten days away and stuff changes.
Christmas Music
I’m also not big on “Christmas music.” For me, most Christmas music sounds tacky and exploitive. There’s other music that stirs up memories I’d usually prefer stayed buried. But then, there’s the music of Trans-Siberian Orchestra (aka: TSO).
I first heard about TSO around 2008 from people I was car-pooling with. I started checking out their music and was quickly entranced. There is power in their music I’ve rarely heard from any other group. Their debut album was Christmas Eve and Other Stories released in October 1996, which has become one of the best-selling Christmas albums of all time, in the United States.
They released several more albums over the years, and in 2004 released The Lost Christmas Eve, which included a rock version of an earlier piece Christmas Canon. And for the purpose of this already-long blog post, I’m going to feature a videoed live performance of this wonderful bit of music.
The song is set to Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon in D Major,” with lyrics added by TSO that absolutely enhance this beautiful score. In this music I hear hope, and joy for what the future might bring. In these trying times, I think we can use all the hope we can muster up.
So, I bring you a video presentation of TSO’s “Christmas Canon” as only TSO could ever present. And may your Christmas season bring you joy, and peace, and hope.
