A Sad Christmas Carol

 Christmas is just around the corner. For the first time in approximately two-thousand and twenty years, people are being strongly encouraged by government officials not to travel over the holidays to spend time with loved ones. But in the past, things were much different. For example, way back at the very first Christmas, Joseph and Mary were actually ORDERED by government officials to travel to Bethlehem during the Christmas holiday. (Well, the reason for their travel wasn’t exactly because of Christmas, since Jesus hadn’t been born yet, and if the local governor went on TV and said, “Everyone must travel over the Christmas holiday,” no one would’ve understood what he meant, mostly because they didn’t own TVs.)

However, this is 2020, the year when nothing is normal, and so we’re being encouraged to avoid traveling. It’s understandable. This Covid virus is nasty. Back in the early fall, when people relaxed and started mingling once again with other people, boom! the infection rate shot up again.

 

So, even though we’re all fed up to here (if you could see me right now, I’m holding my hand just below my chin) with social distancing, and even though the Christmas season is the primary time many of us get to visit all of our loved ones, the prudent thing to do is lay low this year. The usual Christmas parties, holiday travel plans, and squeezing dozens of aunts and uncles and cousins into one raucous and festive house should be avoided.

You know what that means, don’t you? It means people are going to be really sad this year — even those of us who regularly complain about the hectic pace of the Christmas season. Christmas is always hectic, of course, but the joy of spending time with loved ones far outweighs the stress of zig-zagging all over the state to make it happen. Plus, Christmas is pure tradition. The best thing about any tradition is that we can count on it. This year we cannot count on this cherished Christmas tradition.
 
Because of this situation, the only thing I could think to do is take two poignant Christmas songs and write new lyrics, making the songs even more melancholy.

So, break out the ol' Karaoke machine and sing this first one to the tune of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

I’m dreaming tonight of the folks I love
Even more than I usually do
And although they reside just around the block
I hate this flu

I’m alone for Christmas
You can’t visit me
Please don’t go, you must lay low
This Covid misery

Christmas Eve will find me
Where my tears will stream
I’m alone for Christmas
A nightmare, not a dream

This next song is to the tune of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” 

Have yourself a Covid little Christmas
Fill your heart with fright
From now on
The virus keeps us out of sight 

Have yourself a Covid little Christmas
Yuletide’s not so gay
‘cause now on
Our loved ones must stay miles away 

Here we are, not like olden days
Now it’s lonely days, a bore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us no more
 
Through the years
We may not be together
If the virus stays
Keep your shining star and tree all packed away
And pray you’ll have some merry Christmas joy someday 

Here’s wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, despite the craziness of 2020. And don’t forget: make sure you do what Mary and Joseph did back during the very first Christmas: pick up the phone and call your loved ones. If you can’t see them face-to-face, let them know you care. As it says in Luke’s gospel, “God bless us, everyone!”