“The house looks so much nicer with a Christmas tree,” my brother remarked as he admired the soft glow of lights. “Too bad we can’t have a tree all year.”
I feel the same way. About Christmas trees, yes, but it’s more than that. Two of the songs I’ve shared lament the loss of ‘Christmas spirit’ as the season draws to a close. Peter Hollens’ December Song (from our day 11) says, “Why does it change with the seasons? And why can’t we just hold on?” At the end of Old City Bar (from day 6), the narrator sings, “This world, you can change it. If we could somehow make this Christmas thing last.” And that’s the key, isn’t it? How do we make it last? I think my brother might have been on to something. There’s something so enchanting about a Christmas tree. Think about Christmas decorations in general – what do many of them have in common?
Lights.
Without getting into the history of pagan celebrations and the winter solstice and all, let’s just say that light has traditionally played a huge role in winter celebrations. For good reason – today is the shortest day of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere, and the lack of light affects people. In today’s modern society, the darkness isn’t as frightening as it used to be, but the lights continue to captivate us. And here’s our key.
Be the light. Not just at the holidays. Every day. Let your light, your love, your humanity, shine. This world can use more light.
Today’s song was chosen for slightly different reasons than our other selections so far. The song does reference a mythical being of light, the firebird or phoenix, but it’s more the imagery of the music that drew me. Composer Ola Gjeilo has managed to evoke light through his harmonies and instrumentation, and the effect is wondrous.
Across the Vast Eternal Sky (Ola Gjeilo, lyrics by Charles Anthony Silvestri)
Sunlight shines on my face;
This is my grace, to be
Restored, born again,
In flame.
When I was young I flew in the velvet night;
Shining by day, a firebird bathed in light!
Grey now my feathers, which once were red and gold;
My destiny to soar up to the sun
Sunlight shines on my face;
This is my grace, to be
Restored, born again,
In flame.
Do not despair that I am gone away;
I will appear again
When the sunset paints
Flames across the vast, eternal sky.
