by Harold Curtis 

After all the ruckus that has developed over the past couple of years, I know some are really agonizing over the use of the C-word during the holiday season. Well, good news! Being the music lover that I am, I was concerned about the appropriateness of certain “holiday” songs, so I did some in-depth research (involving about five minutes with—sshhh—a church hymnal), and I made a wonderful discovery. Only two carols included in that publication contain the dreaded C-word: O Little Town of Bethlehem (sadly, one of my favorites), and the lesser-known Rise Up, Shepherds, and Follow. 

Well, I’ll tell you what; if it will help keep peace on earth during Chr . . . er, I mean . . . holiday time, I’m willing to play and sing those two very questionable songs only in the privacy of my own home, and very softly at that. What is so exciting to me is that I am now convinced we can, with a perfectly clear conscience, joyfully lift the holiday cup of cheer, stuff those holiday stockings with holiday goodies, gather with family and friends around the holiday tree, gleefully open the holiday presents, and bellow out all—well, almost all—the holiday carols as we celebrate the birth of the Holiday Child. Ain’t that good news! 

There is a problem, though; I haven’t figured out what to do with all those songs considered secular that contain that dreaded C-word. Dare I even mention them? Here goes: White Christmas, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Nuttin’ for Christmas, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, The Christmas Song, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, 12 Days of Christmas, All I want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, and let’s not forget Blue Christmas. 

Then there are the others that may not contain the C-word in their title, but stealthily hide it somewhere in the lyrics: Silver Bells, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer, and It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. 

I guess we just have to ban them all! 

I believe the world lost a great talent when Karen Carpenter died, but I am glad she doesn’t have to hear the fight over her song It’s Christmas Time, or the song Merry Christmas, Darling, penned by good friend Frank Pooler, and set to music by Karen’s brother Richard. 

I’m not sure how to break it to Jose Feliciano about his song Feliz Navidad. We could just have him record it over again, only sing the whole thing in Spanish. That way, the anti-C- - - - - mas warriors wouldn’t have a clue. 

I heard a Jewish lady put this Christmas conflict in perspective. She said, "Though I am Jewish, the Christmas season has always meant a lot to me and my family. Call the things of Christmas by their rightful names. After all, I’d be appalled if I were told I had to call the menorah the 'holiday candle.' " 

But to be on the safe side, I’ll conclude by inviting you to grab yourself a holiday cookie, ring those holiday bells, and sit back and watch the holiday lights twinkle. And I do hope you have yourself a very merry holiday day. 

Harold Curtis lives near Boise, Idaho and works at Pacific Press Publishing Association. He worked at Christian Record Services from 2000 to 2005. Before that, Harold, his wife Carolyn, and their two daughters lived for seven years in Russia where all of them worked at the Source of Life Publishing House.