Anyway, I’ve been listening to all of my Christmas CDs (and oh there are many) for the last few days. In fact, I’ve now officially taken all of the plastic off of the all CDs I’ve purchased over the years. I’m really happy to say that I don’t own a copy of the “Dogs barking Jingle Bells.”

What I’ve noticed though is that there are many ways to kill a Christmas song. Nat King Cole, was a merry old soul and I love him, but not him signing “O Come All Ye Faithful” in Latin. Stick to English and no body will get hurt. Then there is the Manheim Steamroller, which for some reason Joey always refers to at the Manhattan Steamroller...anyway, can they get anymore funky with some of their arrangements of traditional songs? I mean you could jazzercise to “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” And speaking of that particular song, I hate it almost as much at the “12 Days of Christmas.” I mean, if my true love had given me any kind of chicken or dancing maid, or mooing cow, I would have been pissed. What the hell kind of Christmas present would that be? Don’t you know diamonds are a girl’s best friend? Or Chocolate at least? Or a gift certificate to Dillard’s?!!

So, after all the listening and filtering out all of the White Christmases and the chestnuts roasting on an open fire (this is Church after all...but I did manage to slip in an Ave Marie in Latin!) I found my musical compellation a bit on the lean side. So I did what any good woman with a credit card and an internet connection would do, I went to Amazon to shop! This is where I found John Rutter.

If you are not familiar with John Rutter’s music, you should be. He is one of the most influential choral composers of the 20th Century and a damn fine conductor as well. There is one song in particular that reminded me of all things high school and of all things in the high school choir. That would be the “Jesus Child.” This particular song is a catchy little Caribbean themed number that we all loved. In fact, Tommy and Brian, the only two Jewish kids in our high school used to do a Conga Line when we would sing this song each and every holiday season. Of course we would see their Conga line and up them a limbo when we started singing about dredels and lighting the Hanukkah candles. Good times in the Toro Choir.

What does this bring me to? The point finally...music has a powerful impact on our lives. For me, especially these past few weeks Christmas music has been my saving grace. All the songs weather sacred or secular have made me think, have made me smile or brought good memories flooding into my mind. And yes, it’s been just like a picture print by Currier and Ives, and that is a very good thing.