Christmas 2025

The holidays are here again. We’ve celebrated Thanksgiving in the U.S. Now, the time for other holidays is here. So many are religious celebrations. Others are celebrations of culture. Some are celebrations of both.

The Winter Solstice had its own blog a couple of weeks ago. I won’t go into that celebration of the longest night of the year, when winter begins.

December 14-22 are the dates of this year’s Chanukkah celebrations. Of course, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are December 24 and 25, as always.

Epiphany doesn’t come until January 6 to celebrate the arrival of the Magi where Christ was born. There is actually no reference to three Magi attending Christ. We assume there were three because of the gifts – gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (We always think in terms of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Why not myrrh, gold, and frankincense, or some other order? Anyway, they also are not referred to as “kings.” They are Magi which could mean sorcerers, diviners, or astrologers. (That’s a little scary – sorcerers??) Maybe, they were astrologers – or astronomers or early astrophysicists. How would they be able to know where that star was to shine down to earth? How did they know that the star would become THE STAR! Or, was it multiple stars acting as one?

Lots of people attend church during this time, when they do not frequent services at other times of the year – maybe, at Easter. Children often provide the lessons for Christmas. I remember when my children were deeply involved in providing the lessons for Christmas. Recitations. Hymns. Having listened very carefully to their Sunday School teachers during practices for the big event. Cautioned to “not misbehave” during practice and the actual presentation.

Chanukah is always celebrated for eight days in remembrance of the eight days when the small bit of oil stayed the course and kept the lamps lit. And, yes, I prefer the spelling that I’ve used rather than the often fashionable spelling – Hanukkah.

The cultural and religious days of Las Posadas (December 16 to 24) is historically somber, joyous, colorful, and exciting. I remember putting luminarias (also called farolitos) down the sidewalk when we lived in another house and the children were younger. To commemorate the search by Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem for lodging where the Christ Child could be born each night. someone portraying Mary and Joseph approach each house, where they are turned away until, at the designated home, they are welcomed in where refreshments are offered. A piñata often plays a part in the celebrations.

Two other religious holidays of faiths that I know virtually nothing about are Mawlid al-Nabi – celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, and Bodhi Day that commemorates the day the Buddha achieved enlightenment. It is usually held on December 8.

Kwanzaa, the cultural week-long event celebrates our African American culture and is held from December 26th to January 1st.

England and other UK and Commonwealth countries celebrate Boxing Day, December 26. Originally, a day when the wealthy gave presents to the less fortunate, it is now a day of secular activities – shopping, watching sports, etc.

We have New Year’s Eve and New Years Day. I think that the world celebrates these two days. Especially, New Year’s Eve. Waiting for “the ball to drop” in New York City seems to attract ever so many people to Times Square. Personally, bringing in the New Year has become just another night for me. Except for the exploding fireworks all around me. Time was when we would need to do what we could to protect our dogs from the noise; they were terrified of that. New Year’s Day has, of course, brought another day of great savings at every brick and mortar store in the area with wild advertisement on the TV encouraging viewers to spend their day and their Christmas monies with XYZ merchants. Again, for me, it is a day of not going anywhere – no medical appointments, no meetings, no meals away from home. I think I really like that.

Some folks make resolutions for their new year. Not I – said “the Little Red Hen.” I figure that a resolution is something that I should be doing all of the year, and that I don’t need to reinforce the doing of it by stating the obvious.

I know this is a long blog; I hope you will forgive me if I talk about all of those holidays to be celebrated by so many human beings. Now, I want to talk about three more things. All are related to music. First, hearing Pacabel’s “Canon,” such an exquisite piece of music, can bring me to tears. Hearing his “Canon in D” performed with piano, violin, and cello or with more instruments is so enchanting.

And, then, there is the “Christmas Canon.” This is the first year I’ve ever heard that piece. I believe it is often used during weddings – but am not sure of that. I do know that when I heard the “Christmas Canon” set to Pachabel’s “Canon” and sung by children with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, it was transformative – and, I don’t ever use that word! If you are interested in what I think may be some of the best music ever, go to YouTube and ask for a performance of each of these canons

One of my favorite Christmas hymns is “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” I’ve learned a lot with this blog. I did not know that this hymn is, basically, a musical version of “Christmas Bells,” a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. For reference and to see the changes from the poem to the lyrics of the hymn, I’ve included both the “Christmas Bells” and “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” I hope you enjoy knowing about this.

My hope is that you all have a blessed and merry Christmas and other holiday activities.

Be Safe and Be Well
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are always appreciated.

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; you probably know the hymn’s music – you can sing either the poem or the hymn all of the way through!

Christmas Bells

by

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow  1807 – 1882

The Poem as written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
on Christmas Day, 1861, during the United States Civil War.
The poem was published in 1865.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
    And wild and sweet
    The words repeat 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
    Had rolled along
    The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
    A voice, a chime,
    A chant sublime 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
    And with the sound 
    The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
    And made forlorn
    The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
    “For hate is strong,
    And mocks the song 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
    The Wrong shall fail,
    The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

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I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day
by
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Music was added in 1872, written by
John Baptiste Calkin.

Hymn lyrics

1. I heard the bells on Christmas day
   Their old familiar carols play;
   In music sweet the tones repeat,
   “There’s peace on earth, good will to men.”
2. I thought how, as the day had come,
   The belfries of all Christendom
   Had rolled along th’ unbroken song
   Of peace on earth, good will to men.
3. And in despair I bowed my head:
   “There is no peace on earth,” I said,
   “For hate is strong, and mocks the song
   Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
4. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
   “God is not dead, nor does He sleep,
   For Christ is here; His Spirit near
   Brings peace on earth, good will to men.”
5. When men repent and turn from sin
   The Prince of Peace then enters in,
   And grace imparts within their hearts
   His peace on earth, good will to men.
6. O souls amid earth’s busy strife,
   The Word of God is light and life;
   Oh, hear His voice, make Him your choice,
   Hail peace on earth, good will to men.
7. Then happy, singing on your way,
   Your world will change from night to day;
   Your heart will feel the message real,
   Of peace on earth, good will to men.
8. Amen.