We Wish You a Merry Christmas

This song is a surprising choice for Christmas music with a tolerance twist. 

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin.
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.

And, unless you really want to read about figgy pudding, you don’t have to go to the link for the complete lyrics!

Peter, Paul and Mary performed this song in their Christmas concert, broadcast several times on the Public Broadcasting Network.  They added some words to the song.  (Would this be “a bridge”?  I’ll have to refer that question to my grandsons……)

Once in a year, it is not thought amiss
To visit our neighbors and sing out like this.
Of friendship and love, good neighbors abound
And peace and goodwill the whole year around.

(Pace!) (Shanti!) (Salud!) (Shalom!)
The words mean the same, whatever your home.
Why can't we have Christmas the whole year around?
Why can't we have Christmas the whole year around?

(You really should listen to this performance, and you can by clicking here.)

The words are the same, whatever your home, but if your home is Syria, you can’t come here to America (according to some people). 

We sing out of friendship and love and good neighbors – whatever their skin color, religion, sexual preference, etc., etc….

And the last line of this bridge (if that’s what it’s called): 

Why can’t we have Christmas the whole year around?

Peace on earth.  Goodwill to all.  Generosity.  Respect.

Tolerance.

There is, in fact, no reason we cannot have the Christmas spirit all year.  It is only our lack of imagination and perseverance that prevents it.

And we all can take action to change our attitudes, even if only a little bit.

I wish YOU a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!