As a general rule, I can take “only so much” of Christmas carols.  Many I have heard since childhood.  I am no longer mystified by the Baby In The Manager story in the same way.  I can’t help but think critically about the elements of the story.  The problem is not with the story itself, but with the application that comes with it.  I just don’t see how an infant will be the redemption of humanity.

Humanity is resistant to improvement, let alone the swift change of outlook, change of being  — that will be necessary to alter the chain of cause and effect that will bring about massive global disruption due to climate catastrophe. Or another nightmare closer to home, — a metastasis of rule-by-decree that threatens to overwhelm our republic.

And so it goes as Kurt Vonnegut often said.

This carol, the lyrics by Hall and Oats offers a proposition.  Fulfillment, the epitome of a human experience of life comes in terms of a relationship in particular.  Is not every relationship a singular bond, something particular, demanding that the parties attend to it’s special opportunities and challenges?

I believe this is always true; even true when I needed to add more money to my Starbucks gold card a few minutes ago.  My need to add twenty bucks to the card entailed several minutes of cooperation between myself and the Barista at the register.  Unseen and virtually present were a very large number of individuals responsible for the Starbucks servers and software programming.

Two things.  The warmth of verbal exchange between myself and the Barista made this simple transaction pleasurable, affirming for both of us, transforming a common chore that she is asked to perform many times a day.  Secondly, my need for help to recharge my card, has a ripple effect involving everyone unseen within Starbucks organization which is world wide.

We live within, and we live by-means-of, a mind boggling web of relationships. 

The redemption of humanity, of all of us, and of our future — must take place one relationship at a time, by paying proper attention to my own condition of mind and heart, and of what I am offering to the person in front of me right now.  The hopeful note, is that this can be done, without political conflict, without massive expense of preparation for war, etc.

So I offer this tune, this simple lyric with a seductive melody, and sublime voice of William Bell channeling the inspiration of all of the great Stax Records artists in their day.

Lyrics follow the youtube video…

Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday

By Hall and Oats

[Chorus]
Everyday will be like a holiday
When my baby, when my baby comes home

[Verse 1]
Now she’s been gone for such a long time
Ever since she’s been gone, she been on my mind
I got a letter today, just about noon
She said, “Don’t worry, I’ll be home soon”

[Chorus]
And everyday will be like a holiday
When my baby, when my baby comes home

[Verse 2]
I’ll never have to worry about sitting by the phone
When she gets here, I’ll never be alone
She said she’d get here sometime today
I know when she gets here, she’ll never go away

[Chorus]
And everyday will be like a holiday
When my baby, when my baby comes home
Oh, everyday will be like a holiday
When my baby, when my baby comes home