# Why do you assume it was a Christmas concert? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 22, 2004, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136 "2004-12-22T09:08:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![infamousmom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d6d6ee/32.png) [@infamousmom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/infamousmom)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/1 "2004-12-22T09:08:00Z")
Just saw a message in another forum I frequent. Mother whining that her daughter’s “Christmas concert” didn’t include any songs about Christmas. They sang about winter, and Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, but no Christmas. I just had one question for her: What makes you assume it was a \*\*Christmas \*\*concert? Any school kids getting up on stage to sing in December gotta be singing about Christmas? Why? Hate to break it to ya, mama, but there are a lot of holidays in December and if they have enough songs about the other ones and the winter season to fill up a concert, them’s the breaks. Better luck next year. Maybe now she begins to get the idea how all the Jewish and pagan and nonreligious kids (and their parents) felt all those years when the singers were hittin’ 'em over the head with Jesus. (My kids’ grade school music teacher threw in the towel when she was politely informed that a “holiday” concert that consisted, year after year, of mostly Christian religious songs, with the same two Hanukkah songs and a couple of secular songs wouldn’t cut it.) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/2 "2004-12-22T09:37:41Z")
Hmmm… without wanting to be too snarky, it does sound just a little odd… I mean, it’s not as if Christmas is some obscure festival celebrated by just a handful of weird guys with long beards; it’s pretty much entrenched in western culture (and yes, I’m assuming this to be generally the case in _not downtown, Burbank_). A children’s concert in December, featuring songs about religious winter celebrations, but conspicuously omitting mention of Christmas - sounds just a tiny bit like the omission was calculated, but I may be wrong. Of course there’s nothing wrong with deliberately _not_ including Christmas songs - it’s only entertainment after all and I don’t see that anyone has any claims to equal time, but it looks like someone’s bias might be showing a bit. Maybe not, but maybe. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/3 "2004-12-22T09:52:18Z")
Sounds to me that the woman is being paranoid. It’s perfectly possible to programme a handful of winter songs, and not even _realise_ Christmas isn’t explicitly mentioned in any of them. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/4 "2004-12-22T10:10:28Z")
What’s even more entertaining to me is when someone has to remind them that “Deck the Halls” does not mention Christmas or the Nativity. ---
**Author:** ![Kaitlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/73ab20/32.png) [@Kaitlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlyn)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/5 "2004-12-22T10:16:58Z")
It may depend upon how one defines a “Christmas” song. Take a look at this set of songs: Jingle Bells Frosty the Snowman Jingle Bell Rock Let it Snow Sleigh Ride Winter Wonderland Baby, It’s Cold Outside Every one of those could make it onto a “Christmas” program, and are commonplace among the all “Christmas” music rotation on the radio right now. Not a one of them has anything to do with Christmas–they’re winter songs (which, ironically, tend to be played mostly during the fall). ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/6 "2004-12-22T10:20:01Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > What’s even more entertaining to me is when someone has to remind them that “Deck the Halls” does not mention Christmas or the Nativity. Exactly, and the same with Ding Dong Merrily On High. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/7 "2004-12-22T11:37:57Z")
> [@infamousmom](#): > > Maybe now she begins to get the idea how all the Jewish and pagan and nonreligious kids (and their parents) felt all those years when the singers were hittin’ 'em over the head with Jesus. I seriously doubt that ALL of them felt any particular way. However, I think that maybe now you begin to get the idea how good it feels to get your way. That’s what makes your observation so tea-spittingly funny — you are wallowing in what you condemn. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/8 "2004-12-22T12:23:04Z")
Oh, oh, oh, the irony. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/9 "2004-12-22T15:05:57Z")
> [@infamousmom](#): > > Just saw a message in another forum I frequent. Mother whining that her daughter’s “Christmas concert” didn’t include any songs about Christmas. They sang about winter, and Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, but no Christmas. > > I just had one question for her: What makes you assume it was a \*\*Christmas \*\*concert? Well, let’s be honest here. Kids have been doing Christmas concerts, in December, since time immemorial. If you hold a concert in December, it’s reasonable to assume you’re continuing that tradition. It’s like walking into a Starbucks, ordering a large, and being asked if you mean “tall” or “Vento-grande” or whatever the hell. Come on; in a four-size system, the second largest is the Large. Some assumptions make life easier. That said, so what if there were no Christmas songs? Big frickin’ deal. I went to a CATHOLIC school and I can remember at least two years when my class’s contribution to the Christmas concert wasn’t at all Christmas themed. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/10 "2004-12-22T16:10:11Z")
You know, now that I think about it it is kind of weird. They had religious songs if they were singing about Hanukhah, and some “Christmas” songs are really nice, like We Three Kings, or Joy to the World. And singing about Kwanzaa and not Christmas? That’s even more confusing. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/11 "2004-12-22T16:13:16Z")
Hmmm > [@](#): > > What’s even more entertaining to me is when someone has to remind them that “Deck the Halls” does not mention Christmas or the Nativity. \*Deck us all with Boston Charlie, Walla Walla, Wash. and Kalamazoo. Nora’s freezin’ on the trolley Swaller dollar cauliflower, alley garoo! Don’t we know archaic barrels, Lullaby, Lila Boy, Louisville Lou. Trolley Molly don’t love Harold, Boola boola, Pensacoola, Hullaballou!\* Y’know? He’s right! ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/12 "2004-12-22T16:16:47Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > And singing about Kwanzaa and not Christmas? That’s even more confusing. This was my first thought reading the OP. What songs are sung for Kwanzaa? And if the songs are glorifying a religious holiday, why not expect a Christian-themed song or two? Most important though, I’d really like to know what Kwanzaa songs there are. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/13 "2004-12-22T16:17:05Z")
\*It’s Kwanzaa time in Hollis, Queens Mom’s cooking chicken and collard greens Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese And \*\ _put gifts under Christmas trees_ Bum BAAAA Da-du-da-du dump. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/14 "2004-12-22T16:28:32Z")
Regarding _Deck the Halls._ This doesn’t necessarily say it’s a Christian song, but it is generally accepted to be a Christmas song, and not a Winter song as it once was. The song thrice mentions [yule](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule). Make of it what you will. And Merry Christmas everyone! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PastAllReason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@PastAllReason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastAllReason)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/15 "2004-12-22T16:40:01Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > > [@matt\_mcl](#): > > > > What’s even more entertaining to me is when someone has to remind them that “Deck the Halls” does not mention Christmas or the Nativity. > > Exactly, and the same with Ding Dong Merrily On High. I think I may have actually figured out how to do nested quotes. I’m a little slow about stuff like that. Back on topic, does Ding Dong Merrily on High really not mention Christmas? The words I recall to Ding Dong Merrily on High, follow to the next line being “Christmas bells are ringing”. Have I been singing it wrong all these years? ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/16 "2004-12-22T16:41:49Z")
**Bruce\_Daddy** , Snort…Snigger…Ahem…Giggle… BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That’s wrong. Just wrong. Do it again! ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/17 "2004-12-22T16:43:56Z")
> [@Doctor Jackson](#): > > **Bruce\_Daddy** , > > Snort…Snigger…Ahem…Giggle… > BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! > > That’s wrong. > Just wrong. > > Do it again! I want another one, too! (I even had the subwoofer in my head turned up to 11 reading the first) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/18 "2004-12-22T17:22:07Z")
> [@PastAllReason](#): > > Back on topic, does Ding Dong Merrily on High really not mention Christmas? The words I recall to Ding Dong Merrily on High, follow to the next line being “Christmas bells are ringing”. Have I been singing it wrong all these years? Yep :wally - it’s “In heaven the bells are ringing”. ---
**Author:** ![PastAllReason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@PastAllReason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastAllReason)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/19 "2004-12-22T17:36:28Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Yep :wally - it’s “In heaven the bells are ringing”. Well, geez, next thing you’ll be telling me that Puff the Magic Dragon didn’t really frolic with the Optimists, I bet. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136/20 "2004-12-22T18:51:55Z")
I’ll give you a big “Amen on that Brother” or whatever. I’m sick of hearing my neighbors practically spit the words “Holiday Party” and “Winter Concert” as if something has been stolen from them. I guess they didn’t notice the Jewish, Muslim, and Mormon, etc., kids in their own child’s third grade class- you know, the same one’s who have been sitting there all year. I just sat through one of my loudmouth neighbor’s “ungodly” tirades on this very subject. I’ve lived here for 3 1/2 years. Not only is his rant getting repetitively tiresome, but it’s never. once. occured to him that I don’t share his views and I don’t feel particularly inclined to share them with his as I’m afraid he’ll go all Deuteronomy 13 on my ass. I liked this quote form an MSNBC article today: “So the silly annual examples are trotted out, the schools that censor Christmas carols, the townships that insist that the evergreen decorated with lights is a holiday tree. No one searches his soul about how we came to this pass. It has little to do with separation of church and state or liberal politics and everything to do with the way the blunt cudgel of Christianity has been heedlessly used, the tyranny of the majority. After years of Jewish parents’ sitting through school concerts listening to the words “It is the night of our dear savior’s birth,” maybe oversensitivity was inevitable, since any other kind of sensitivity had been in short supply.” Full article here: [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6732192/site/newsweek/](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6732192/site/newsweek/) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-assume-it-was-a-christmas-concert/281136.md?page=2)