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How blue is your Christmas spirit?

It’s a Christmas song I’ve surely heard hundreds of times, and it never fails to bring on the festivity! Go ahead. Take a minute to listen!

 

By the way, We Need A Little Christmas was written in 1966 for the Broadway musical, Mame, and The New Christy Minstrels recorded the song for their Christmas album that same year. While watching the video, see if you can pick out a young Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes. 😉

 

 

I love that song, but last week I heard something new in its lyrics. Words that surprised me. Twice, easily missed between the peppy beat and cheerful words, is the idea of sadness.

 

See?

 

Haul out the holly
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again
Fill up the stocking
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now
 
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinet
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Hasn’t snowed a single flurry, but Santa dear we’re in a hurry
 
Climb down the chimney
Turn on the brightest string of lights I’ve ever seen
Slice up the fruit cake
It’s time we’ve hung some tinsel on the evergreen bough
 
For I’ve grown a little leaner
Grown a little colder
Grown a little sadder
Grown a little older
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder
Need a little Christmas now
 
For we need a little music
Need a little laughter
Need a little singing, ringing through the rafter
And we need a little snappy
Happy ever after
Need a little Christmas now

 

We all know Christmas is difficult when families experience loss. Precious faces missing around the holiday table; bodies no longer huddled around the Christmas tree for the opening of presents. Many of our own family and friends are facing those days this season.

 

But what about the moments of melancholy that sneak in even when we’ve sustained no obvious loss? Moments of reflection, sometimes sadness, that come from those places of quiet no one sees.

 

Disappointments. Relationship strains. Health challenges. Career uncertainties. Memories of, dare I say, happier times.

 

Quiet moments spent wondering if decking the halls is even worth it.

 

You occasionally have those feelings, too, don’t you?

 

Perhaps we can find encouragement in the “hidden” words of this favorite holiday melody; affirmation that occasional sadness or having a “down” day is normal, especially during the holidays when everywhere around us there seems to be happiness and holiday cheer.

 

So how do we move forward on those days when malaise sets in? When we feel like we’re going through the motions?

 

Perhaps the song was written to answer those exact questions!

 

 

Haul out the boxes and bins and start decking the halls!

 

Fill up your spaces with over-the-top decorations—or simple visual pleasures.

 

 

Put on some Christmas music. Bake a favorite holiday treat.

 

 

Attend a holiday concert, play, or church service.

 

And I’ll add another idea the song doesn’t mention . . .

 

Look beyond yourself. Myself. You’re not the only one alone this Christmas—or lonely in a house or room filled with people.

 

Let’s acknowledge the feelings of sadness, but not dwell on them. Let’s focus instead on the One whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. The One who grew up to know sadness, but who offers us Life. Let’s accept that love and share it with those around us.

So many need what we have to give . . .

 

Related posts:

Blue Christmas: A Christmas Theme How to use a theme at Christmas: Oh, Christmas Tree A Child’s Christmas: A Christmas Theme Cardinal Song: A Christmas Theme
9 Dec 2019
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Encouragement
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Comments

  1. Cindy Scott says
    December 9, 2019 at 3:18 PM

    Susan! this is a good word that i needed to hear and i daresay everyone could relate too! thanks for sharing this! i wish you and your family a merry Christmas!!!

  2. Lisa notes says
    December 9, 2019 at 4:13 PM

    I have an uncle going through a very blue Christmas this year so this is applicable in so many ways, Susan. His wife has dementia and recently fell. She’s in rehab, and in the meantime, he’s having to face harsh realities and make decisions for the future. Definitely not what you want to do at Christmas! (Or anytime, let’s be honest.) Thanks for reminding me to be aware of others going through hard times this season.

    • Susan @ My Place to Yours says
      December 9, 2019 at 9:36 PM

      Lisa, I’m praying for your uncle and his wife. Such a difficult time for all. Those decisions are not easy and certainly come with a lot of emotional challenges. The holidays don’t make them any easier, do they?

  3. Andrew Budek-Schmeisser says
    December 9, 2019 at 5:23 PM

    I no longer have a golden past,
    or a bright and sure tomorrow.
    While my time is running fast,
    what I have is in the twist of now.
    Cancer’s forced me to the wall,
    it’s an effort just to breathe,
    and to heed hope’s last call
    I can’t let sentiment deceive.
    Yes, the loved have gone ahead
    and will not be warmed by Yuletide fire
    but I have to just admit, they’re dead
    and go on, that their weight won’t tire
    me so I won’t look back, and halt,
    and stand forever, pillar of salt.

  4. Rita C at Panoply says
    December 10, 2019 at 7:20 AM

    Amen! And forget about trying to be perfect. I know I have family members who are sad, and it takes so little effort to include someone in something as small as a run together to the store, a quick lunch out, invitation to decorate something (big or small, doesn’t matter) together. Good words, Susan. And I did not know Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes were in the New Christy Minstrels together (yes, I was able to pick them out!). My older sisters listened to these albums at Christmastime, so I grew up with a Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis (my two favorites), Perry Como, NCR and others. 🙂 Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year to you and yours!