Perception.

I always have an argument with my roommates about whether it's appropriate to play Christmas music after Halloween or after Thanksgiving. I contend that it's fine to start listening to it after Halloween, but they argue that you're taking away from Thanksgiving. I disagree, I think it adds to it. We compromised last year, where I got to put the Christmas tree up halfway between the two holidays, with the music playing after Thanksgiving.

Anyhow, the reason I started thinking about this was because I downloaded some Lady Antebellum tracks, and there were Christmas songs that started playing! Ok, I started singing along, and you know what? I started feeling that thing they call the Christmas spirit. Yes, right in the middle of a hot, sticky, and bright Singapore summer.

What is it about Christmas music? I don't get it. I just wish we could play it all year round. I think the wonderful thing about Christmas music is that it brings with it all the happiness which comes with Christmas. One of my roommates said he didn't like it playing too early because he felt it just commercialized the season, and, to a certain extent, I agree. But, I think there's more to Christmas music. Whether you're a Christian or Buddhist, a Muslim or a Jew, there's more to the music than the shopping or festivities. To me, it invokes a season of hope, because there's the smell of cider and hot chocolate in the air, the teachers are nicer, the colleagues are happier, and the ground is drenched in a wonderland of white. And, don't you just get this warm fuzzy feeling inside whenever you hear Nat King Cole crooning out the lyrics  of "White Christmas."

So, my challenge to you today is to take a listen to this Lady Antebellum rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," and pass that little piece of Christmas on to someone today!