For Once I'm Not Kvetching
Friday, 22 November 2013 00:38Yes, I have been pretty grumpy about the all too early commercialization of Christmas, especially coming in the weeks (months) before even Thanksgiving. I know I'll feel better after we get to see A Charlie Brown Christmas, and in the midst of a moment of angst, Linus tells of the Christmas story and the true meaning of Christmas. (sigh) Later on, as the celebratory nature of the season gets close, we'll hope that TBS will again do their 8pm to 8pm Christmas Eve to Christmas marathon showings of A Christmas Story, as much for the amusing kid's view of a simpler Christmas as knowing that TBS was able to give the day off to most of their employees. Take that you heartless Thanksgiving Day merchants.
So you'll probably find it strange that I have found something before Thanksgiving that I think shouldn't be lost in a sea of Facebook posts. Something that I think speaks to the Christmas story, in an accessible and humorous way which I think will give a few people pause, if only for five minutes.
I give you Bethlehemian Rhapsody from 2011, with Muppet-like or Avenue Q-like puppetry. It is, of course, based on the legendary and complicated Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.
Just as some back in the 70s were offended by Jesus Christ Superstar or Godspell, I am sure that some may find Bethlehemian Rhapsody to be sacrilegious. But I don't see it that way. There is a long tradition of music, performance and attempts to make the Christmas story accessible. And if it makes one pause for a few minutes and step outside the commercial and mercenary madness that Christmas sometimes becomes, then I am all for it.
Anyway, it made this curmudgeon smile -- and humming about the three wise men -- and it's still a week until Thanksgiving here in the U.S.
Dr. Phil
So you'll probably find it strange that I have found something before Thanksgiving that I think shouldn't be lost in a sea of Facebook posts. Something that I think speaks to the Christmas story, in an accessible and humorous way which I think will give a few people pause, if only for five minutes.
I give you Bethlehemian Rhapsody from 2011, with Muppet-like or Avenue Q-like puppetry. It is, of course, based on the legendary and complicated Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.
Just as some back in the 70s were offended by Jesus Christ Superstar or Godspell, I am sure that some may find Bethlehemian Rhapsody to be sacrilegious. But I don't see it that way. There is a long tradition of music, performance and attempts to make the Christmas story accessible. And if it makes one pause for a few minutes and step outside the commercial and mercenary madness that Christmas sometimes becomes, then I am all for it.
Anyway, it made this curmudgeon smile -- and humming about the three wise men -- and it's still a week until Thanksgiving here in the U.S.
Dr. Phil