The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) - Nat King Cole

I figured, since I highlighted my second favorite Christmas song already, I should probably break down my favorite Christmas song for you, my faithful reader (I'd make that plural, but I'm not sure I have more than one reader yet).

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose.
Yuletide carols being sung by the fire, and folks dressed up like Eskimos.

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe helps to make the season bright.
Tiny tots, with their eyes all aglow will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They know that Santa’s on his way. He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh.
And every mother’s child is gonna spy to see if reindeer really know how to fly.

And so, I’m offering this simple phrase to kids from one to ninety-two.
Although it’s been said many time, many ways, Merry Christmas to you.

This song is my all-time favorite Christmas Song. It’s a song that emphasizes to me the simple joy of the season. It brings to mind images and memories of a time before Black Friday, Cyber-Monday, Hallmark ornaments, Hess Trucks, and all the other commercial trappings that are commonplace in today’s society.

The song captures the innocence of Christmas that most of us have lost over the years. Let’s be honest, most of us have never roasted chestnuts on an open fire. I dare say most of us have never had chestnuts, roasted or otherwise. I haven’t. I wouldn’t know a chestnut if one fell out of a tree and popped me on the head. Yet, the image that this phrase conjures is one of warmth and a feeling of home. I imagine sitting in front of a fireplace, snow falling outside, candles burning on the mantle, the scent of pine, cinnamon, and chestnuts (though I have no idea what they smell like) wafting through the room. It is the type of image you see in the movies or a Kinkade painting (if he did interior scenes).

And how many of us struggled as kids to fall asleep? How many of us reluctantly went to bed, only to sneak downstairs an hour later to see if Santa had come? I remember many Christmas mornings where I would peek into my sister’s room only to find she’s already snuck downstairs and was sorting the bounty that Santa had dropped off. I even rememebr a few where I was the first one downstairs doing the sorting.

I miss that innocence. I miss the days where going Christmas Shopping was an event for the whole family, not something that begins the day after Christmas. And I really miss being able to say "Merry Christmas" without fear of the PC-police breathing down my neck. I find it ironic that we sing of "peace on earth" at this time of the year, yet few things get us more worked up at this time of the year than the potential offense we might cause another by wishing them "Merry Christmas." And with each passing year, as the meaning of Christmas becomes more and more overwhelmed by commercialism and political correctness, I fear we will soon find ourselves celebrating a "winter festival" rather than celebrating the birth of our King.

Let’s re-capture the innocence lost and join our voices in unison with this song as we wish everyone "Merry Christmas to you!"

And if that heartfelt appeal doesn't get you in the mood, perhaps this will...