John Sheda

Thanksgiving is over, (or I think it is), and we all can officially begin the Christmas season. No “bah-humbugs” please. We’ve had enough of that in the past ten months or so, haven’t we? Let’s break through all the nastiness of this past year and get into the Christmas mood. And what is better to get in the “ho ho ho” time of the year than singing Christmas Carols? Christmas is all about singing!!!

Christmas is about a month away, but I’m in the mood for the laughter, excitement, surprises and of course the singing of all the Christmas carols. The &*^%$&^* pandemic may make the Grinch but it sure doesn’t make this “old Chelsea boy” happy. “Bah, humbug,” some may say, but not me. When I hear Bing Crosby croon “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,” I (ah) croon right along with him. In fact, I just might lower my voice and pour out a little Elvis, in “Blue Christmas.” Or perhaps Willie Nelson in “Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer.” And we all love “Jingle Bells; Deck The Halls; Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.”

How about “O Holy Night: Angels We Have Heard On High; O Little Town of Bethlehem; O Come All Ye Faithful or Joy To The World?” Great songs of faith dedicated to Christmas. They touch our hearts and often bring a tear to our eye. They remind us of those special Christmas’ past; when we were children and the excitement of the presents under the tree; then when we as parents watched the excitement of our kids as they couldn’t get to sleep on Christmas Eve and those so very special Christmas’ we spent with the whole family at home.

Don’t let the pandemic of 2020 get you down. Break our of the doldrums of the year. Put that Christmas Tree up. Make the candy. Have a baking day. Christmas is about faith, hope & love. It’s about something magical that even all that 2020 has thrown at us can’t get or keep us down. And why is that? Because we can sing. We can sing.

So go ahead—-SING, SING SING. Turn the radio up louder, put in the CD, watch the movies and sing along with Bing, Elvis, the Choirs and yes, even the radio. Who cares? It’s Christmas! Bah Humbug? No way. “Tis the season to be merry, fa la la la la la la la la…” Or better yet, “Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm, all is bright; Round yon virgin, Mother and child; Sleep in Heavenly pea-ceeeeeee; Sleep in Heavenly peace.” Hey, I sounded pretty good, don’t you think?

­ Let me know at jsheda@indytel.com or call me at 319.327.4640. Be blest this week.