I stood in line at the convenient store counter, there was a young man ahead of me, loudly expressing his negative opinion towards the traditional Christmas music playing over head. He stated that he had to listen to it play over and over again all day long at work because he worked with “old guys.” It really put him through “heck” and he wished they would play another station with more new age versions of Christmas music. I chuckled to myself as he and the clerk were going back and forth, as just minutes before in my car I had a station on that played a few more modern Christmas tunes, and I changed the station to the more traditional one. I guess this means, I’m old….heehee.

Listening to and singing along to Christmas music puts me in the spirit. My behavior changes as the tunes play. For instance White Christmas though beautiful and only Bing Crosby’s version will do, tends to leave me reflecting on the sadness of loved ones being far away. Deck the Halls is a livelier tune and all lyrics were written with celebrating in mind, so when listening I feel jovial. I am however, in agreeance with the young Fella at the counter, it’s the trolling (over and over again) of the tunes that start playing before Thanksgiving and go for thirty days or more. While we have the freedom in our cars to tune in or tune out we don’t always get that control at work, in a store, or at the gas-station. These tunes can surround us, follow us and irritate us until we despise hearing Christmas music.

Like the lyrics imply; Troll the anchient Yule tide carol Fa..la la la la…la la la la. Sing it over and over again.

Join me…..and exercise your freedom to tune in or tune out, when certain people or things irritate us. Let us also remember that our trolling negative behaviors, can be irritating to others.

“Father, we continue to focus on you and the birth of Jesus not just at Christmas but all year long. Give us the wisdom, strength and patience to break old negative behaviors as we share our joy with those around us. In Jesus name Amen.”