tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post6382177804346412196..comments2024-03-29T00:04:32.434-05:00Comments on Althouse: Oh, that's not the right way to begin Christmas Eve Day!Ann Althousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630636239933008807noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-50013412187875186632011-12-24T15:27:42.753-06:002011-12-24T15:27:42.753-06:00"I'm astonished that none of the comments..."I'm astonished that none of the comments here mention the wonderful 2 part Mark Steyn podcasts on this song and on Hugh Martin's career."<br /><br />Thanks. I did a Google search about it, but podcasts fly under the radar.Ann Althousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01630636239933008807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-78546778948868558462011-12-24T15:17:05.353-06:002011-12-24T15:17:05.353-06:00I'm astonished that none of the comments here ...I'm astonished that none of the comments here mention the wonderful 2 part Mark Steyn podcasts on this song and on Hugh Martin's career. Here's the link:<br /><br />http://www.steynonline.com/4699/have-yourself-a-merry-little-christmas<br /><br />Listeners will learn that there were four versions of the lyrics, including one entirely Christian version after Martin's becoming a sincere Seventh Day Adventist. <br /><br />I've always loved the song, with it's Christian/secular, 'merry'/poignant & wistful inherent contradictions. The contradictions seem to go to some of the unspoken elements of contemporary Christmas, at least for me.selworkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00898464045818083259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-42857130038434979932011-12-24T14:57:31.667-06:002011-12-24T14:57:31.667-06:00Smart Christians realize that Christianity has roo...Smart Christians realize that Christianity has roots. And that the smart worshipping Greeks realized that the Gods represented aspects of one energy. You'll find it stated that way in their lit. The scope of thinking about God continually evolves in imperfect people.Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02403866949454492748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-13704553495234719092011-12-24T14:53:30.491-06:002011-12-24T14:53:30.491-06:00David@1:09
Thanks. I needed that today.David@1:09<br />Thanks. I needed that today.caplight45https://www.blogger.com/profile/05812859612469770448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-51411170250144639632011-12-24T14:41:49.873-06:002011-12-24T14:41:49.873-06:00Still it's better than "Do you hear what ...Still it's better than "Do you hear what I hear" Where the little shepherd boy goes and tells the mighty king about the Birth. The king of Judea at that time was Herod, and we know how well the little shepherd boy passing that news to Herod worked out. Thanks shepherd boy.SCOTTtheBADGERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12859188068159799373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-19938541714151014792011-12-24T13:25:54.544-06:002011-12-24T13:25:54.544-06:00Chip, I confess I didn't know there were two v...Chip, I confess I didn't know there were two versions. I thought they were just different verses. But I choose muddle through, as I learned to love it as a kid with the Judy Garland version. But I've been listening to the Sinatra version this year, as it's lighter and less mournful, to me. Yes, 'it may be your last' isn't very hopeful, is it lol.deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00305989647913371151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-56223411418570557972011-12-24T13:09:44.881-06:002011-12-24T13:09:44.881-06:00Christianity has ebbed in modern times because yea...Christianity has ebbed in modern times because yearning for independence has. Not to worry. Islam, submission, has arrived to quench the thirst for dependence.<br /><br />Christmas is a reminder of the hardships and dangers of life: childbirth, political oppression and exile, mass murder, true homelessness. It's theological, which is to say existential, import is contra Dickensian. The existential companion of Christmas (danger) is the Transfiguration (victory) just as the existential companion of Crucifixion is Resurrection. <br /><br />In the topographies of life, Christmas and Crucifixion belong together on one pole and Transfiguration and Resurrection belong together on the other. Sliding and bouncing around between these poles, which are dynamic and inseparable, we help enact the drama of life and history.David R. Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16416692639208634879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-29723556120028662942011-12-24T13:00:58.010-06:002011-12-24T13:00:58.010-06:00Fate is zero sum...
Utterly, transcendentally wro...<i>Fate is zero sum...</i><br /><br />Utterly, transcendentally wrong.Chip S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13210586187250159751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-29984207705600783232011-12-24T12:36:16.782-06:002011-12-24T12:36:16.782-06:00"No true Calvinist would use the word fate as..."No true Calvinist would use the word fate as a synonym for Divne Providence."<br /><br />True, because they are not the same. No Christian would call fate Providence or Providence fate. Fate is closed, fixed, mechanical, "karmic," terrifying. Providence is personal, malleable, decisional in real/historical time,, unexpected, new, helpful, calming, free. Both operate, however, providence (or Providence, either way), alone among operators, can modify, make, deflect, reverse or cancel fate. Fate is zero sum, providence is independent.<br /><br />Providing evidence verifying that propelled Christianity to dominance in Greco-Roman civilization.David R. Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16416692639208634879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-1389213168532172852011-12-24T12:20:28.986-06:002011-12-24T12:20:28.986-06:00@deborah: Which version?
"hang a shining sta...@deborah: Which version?<br /><br />"hang a shining star upon the highest bough" or "until then we'll have to muddle through somehow"?<br /><br />Either way, I'm glad that Vincente Minnelli insisted that Hugh Martin <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Have_Yourself_a_Merry_Little_Christmas" rel="nofollow">change</a><br /><br /><i>"It may be your last / Next year we may all be living in the past"</i><br /><br />to <i>"Let your heart be light / Next year all our troubles will be out of sight"</i><br /><br />I like wistfulness, even a tinge of melancholy, but not utter bleakness.Chip S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13210586187250159751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-6510176977438768442011-12-24T11:56:48.786-06:002011-12-24T11:56:48.786-06:00One of my favorite Christmas songs.One of my favorite Christmas songs.deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00305989647913371151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-92063401944371159572011-12-24T11:52:05.464-06:002011-12-24T11:52:05.464-06:00"Christmas Eve Day"??
I believe that th..."Christmas Eve Day"??<br /><br />I believe that the Day of the Night before Christmas is simply the day before Christmas.<br /><br />Your construction contributes to the growing tendency to treat Dec. 24 as a holiday, making it much tougher for us procrastinators to get our shopping done.<br /><br />Luckily, the Althouse Amazon Portal knows no holiday.<br /><br />Happy Double Boxing Day Eve Day, everyone!Chip S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13210586187250159751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-21608134584646219392011-12-24T11:42:02.730-06:002011-12-24T11:42:02.730-06:00By extension moira was one's portion or part i...<i>By extension moira was one's portion or part in destiny which consisted of good and bad moments as it was predetermined by the Moirae (Fates) and it was impossible for anyone to get more than his ordained part.</i><br /><br />I think that pretty much went out the window with the advent of reality TV.Wincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002449963597087316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-15986494358658225812011-12-24T11:38:58.057-06:002011-12-24T11:38:58.057-06:00Paddy O is very kind. I would simply say that many...Paddy O is very kind. I would simply say that many Christians are functional pagans. That's what keeps me working.caplight45https://www.blogger.com/profile/05812859612469770448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-72966987276666780852011-12-24T10:58:13.008-06:002011-12-24T10:58:13.008-06:00Yes, it was me as "unknown" - stupid new...Yes, it was me as "unknown" - stupid new computer loggin . . .Chasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10818855976358768057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-39251967826589358592011-12-24T10:55:49.112-06:002011-12-24T10:55:49.112-06:00I have directed an a capella choir for 26 years th...I have directed an a capella choir for 26 years that, though it is church based, performs at a large number of civic, public school and veterans events each Christmas season. We have always sung "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" with the line "if the Lord allows" - even in front of a Democratic and a Republican Governor and once in front of the Secretary of State of the United States - and have never received or heard of any concern or remarks other than how beautiful and touching the performance of the song was.<br /><br />Much ado about nothing.Chasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10818855976358768057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-90240879993337565922011-12-24T10:54:51.868-06:002011-12-24T10:54:51.868-06:00I have directed an a capella choir for 26 years th...I have directed an a capella choir for 26 years that, though it is church based, performs at a large number of civic, public school and veterans events each Christmas season. We have always sung "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" with the line "if the Lord allows" - even in front of a Democratic and a Republican Governor and once in front of the Secretary of State of the United States - and have never received or heard of any concern or remarks other than how beautiful and touching the performance of the song was.<br /><br />Much ado about nothing.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16476875013398018554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-13148891404296215172011-12-24T10:50:39.570-06:002011-12-24T10:50:39.570-06:00That sounds like Old Age, not New Age.
Keeping th...That sounds like Old Age, not New Age.<br /><br />Keeping the occult traditions straight is never easy.<br /><br /> Christians follow Paul's beliefs that God knows the outcomes of our lives before we are born, but nevertheless lets us play them out ourselves, interfering only when requested to do so. <br /><br />That is a real mind bender for many. God knows the end from the beginning, and yet He tells us to chose our paths. <br /><br />Maybe God, like the Professor, just hates boring people doing reruns.traditionalguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05706120413005530014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-18631593571420532902011-12-24T10:26:31.654-06:002011-12-24T10:26:31.654-06:00And prerhaps the believe in "New Age" do...And prerhaps the believe in "New Age" dogma too, huh Crack :-)<br /><br />Merry Christmas to the posters of Althouse that ARE Christians. Those of other persuasions, good luck, and have a Happy New Year!Carnifexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12561390087899686588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-53751908636113864982011-12-24T10:13:15.752-06:002011-12-24T10:13:15.752-06:00Perhaps some Americans today really do believe in ...<i>Perhaps some Americans today really do believe in that ancient dogma...</i><br /><br /><a href="http://themachoresponse.blogspot.com/2011/03/arianna-huffington-men-and-madness.html" rel="nofollow">Perhaps?</a>The Crack Emceehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08366101526773588864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-10437079023076979142011-12-24T10:05:16.970-06:002011-12-24T10:05:16.970-06:00Nice point about the beginning.
Anywho, it's ...Nice point about the beginning.<br /><br />Anywho, it's really a depressing little number, if you listen to the lyrics.<br /><br />Ol' Blue Eyes sang a lot of great Christmas songs, but that wasn't one of them.edutcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15033144261502435196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-72298139788702563552011-12-24T09:58:15.230-06:002011-12-24T09:58:15.230-06:00caplight: Some Christian singers have sung it, &qu...caplight: <i>Some Christian singers have sung it, "If the Lord allows." Always seemed kind of lame to me.</i><br /><br />Really? The Lord is far more tolerant that I could have imagined. There would be regular incineration on the streets if I were the one. <br /><br />Nice photo, Paddy O. Like the new look.m stonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04729579419783697340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-88228871098059657442011-12-24T09:20:21.781-06:002011-12-24T09:20:21.781-06:00Have you heard the one about the the little Lord J...Have you heard the one about the the little Lord Jesus and the astrologers? <br /><br /><br />Well, that one is in the Bible, so I guess it's okay...Paddy Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10442537362540160512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-10288363507083740482011-12-24T09:17:41.689-06:002011-12-24T09:17:41.689-06:00Lots of Christmas songs are pagan, nonsensical or ...Lots of Christmas songs are pagan, nonsensical or heretical. <br /><br />For instance, <a href="http://www.clayfirecurator.org/2011/12/a-way-in-a-manger-guest-post-patrick-oden/" rel="nofollow">Away in a Manger</a> is docetic. <br /><br />And have you heard a lot of contemporary worship songs? Bad theology abounds. <br /><br />Indeed, as a theology guy, I've come to the conclusion that only a small percentage of people actually really pay attention to the theology of their given religion in a way that affects their life. Most devotees of a religion really wouldn't be all that different if you put them in the adornments of another religion. Most folks are unintentionally highly syncretic with whatever they want to believe anyhow, and that means for a lot of people, the Fates is just saying explicitly what they're thinking. There's this magical balance, a mix of Karma and capriciousness, that determine our path in this world. <br /><br />Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas is wistful tune that people just sing. So, the Fates, and the tree, and all the various remnants from religions gone by join in the choruses celebrating a day in which we're really encouraged to be happy, forget about our woes, and share with each other.Paddy Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10442537362540160512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-14703603451061717812011-12-24T09:12:34.075-06:002011-12-24T09:12:34.075-06:00No true Calvinist would use the word fate as a ...No true Calvinist would use the word fate as a synonym for Divne Providence.caplight45https://www.blogger.com/profile/05812859612469770448noreply@blogger.com