Newer Christmas Music May Be Changing My Perceptions

At church today Father Pat talked about change.

Now, if you’re like me, especially the old geezer me who is not real keen on change, you can relate to what I’m about to say.

My current favorite Christmas song is on this album

I’m wondering if music can show me the way to change. This time of year I used to get all weepy and nostalgic listening to Christmas songs. And yes, I said Christmas. Deal with it! Anyway, I used to be a sucker for the old standards: White Christmas, Silent Night, Ave Maria, Little Drummer Boy and so on.

But you know what, these days I like songs like Sippin’ In Seattle’s Latte Land, Jeff Foxworthy's Redneck 12 Days of Christmas, Santa Baby, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer and songs like that. Have a little fun with Christmas I say. And if I can change my perception of what music is appropriate for Christmas why can’t I change my perceptions about other things? After all, music is supposed to have charms to soothe the savage breast or something like that.

I think Father Pat said (I swear I was listening) that in order to really change, I had to reorder my perception of things – and especially people. If I continue to harbor certain perceptions of certain people or situations I won’t be able to change. Of course I’m asking myself at that point, “Well, why should I want to change and what if I don’t want to give up some of my precious perceptions?”

Unfortunately, the debacle in Ferguson, Missouri may be an all too prevalent occurrence of people (cops and blacks) not being willing to give up their long-held perceptions, thus not being able to change and get along. It’s kind of like marriage. You form a perception of how your spouse should be and when he/she doesn’t live up to that perception – or when he/she does - you have a conflict. How do you resolve the conflict? You have to give up your precious misconception about your spouse and look at him or her in a whole different light. Being stubborn does not help at all.

Now, I have to confess that the main thing that really bothers me about change is that I actually AM changing. I’m getting older, like it or not. This weekend I saw many examples of old guys who could barely walk or talk, guys who were white haired and bent over and all crippled up, and I know that probably is coming for me. I’m having a hard time accepting that. I mean, those poor old guys looked so pathetic. I don’t like to use the word hate, but I hate it that someday I’ll be old and decrepit and pathetic. Trouble is, in my thinking, I’m still a lot like those smug young guys running around out there who think they have the world by the tail. If they only knew. I guess for me to accept the inevitable change that’s coming I’ll have to change my perception of being old. AARRRGGGHHH!!
God! I hope I don’t drool!

My favorite Christmas song these days is Christmas In Dixie by Alabama. I used to be sort of prejudiced toward the South. But that song is so danged beautiful. Just goes to show you, maybe old dogs can learn new perceptions.