There is nothing Christmassy about dashing through snow. Heck, I probably know more Mariah Carey songs than the average person. So why does the holiday spirit always show up in the shadows of a big Christmas tree?
I acknowledge that the majority of this country celebrates Christmas, so naturally it would be a focus. However, it makes me, an individual who celebrates a different holiday, feel unrecognized. For example, there have been multiple occasions where after an encounter with someone, I am wished a Merry Christmas. Now it doesn’t bother me as much, but when I was younger, it was infuriating. Why should someone assume I celebrate a certain holiday?
During December, many streaming services recommend playlists titled “Holiday Mix” or “Greatest Holiday Hits,” not one mentions a song about Hanukkah. How is it a holiday playlist if only one holiday is included? Many popular
Christmas tunes were written by those who didn’t actually celebrate. For example, “Rudolph The Rednosed
Reindeer” was written by Johnny Marks, who identified as Jewish. Now, I definitely don’t blame them, that shiny-nosed reindeer makes one heck of a good song, but it makes me question why he would write about another holiday.
A couple of years ago, I came to a revelation that the Holiday Spirit encapsulated more than just the celebration of holidays, but also feelings. The positivity that radiates in the air is unmistakable. Kindling it unites us, and for me, that’s the most important part of the season. That’s why I love the songs that are universally about the season like, “Winter Wonderland”— by the way written by a jew— that focus on something everyone can relate to. Listening to upbeat music like this boosts my mood and is easy for me to identify with. To me, more songs like these should be made.
My halls may not be decked with lights and a Christmas tree, but they are decked with the exuberant energy of the holidays, and lots of holiday spirit.