Rediscovering Christmas: From sacred songs to secular joys

I have grown weary of George Michael’s “Last Christmas” over the years. This hit song, released in December 1984, was one of the few tracks that radio stations in Lebanon consistently played during the holiday season. Then, in the mid-90s, the German band Mr. President, known for their similar sound to Ace of Base, released a Christmas version of their hit song, “Coco Jamboo,” which slightly broadened the repertoire of Christmas music on the radio.

During my first few years after moving to the U.S., I often tuned into Lite FM and Holly SXM to enjoy the seasonal tunes. I also made it a personal tradition to listen to Canadian singer/songwriter Loreena McKennitt’s albums, “Elemental” and “To Drive The Cold Winter Away,” at least once during the season — a tradition that dates back to my seminary days.