Christmas music...need I say more?

I don't really like Christmastime in general, but whatever.  What's really getting me, at the moment, is Christmas music.  I've never been a huge fan honestly, especially when it starts at the end of, oh, July and continues until forever.  I do have a select few songs that I really do enjoy (those of which I'm listening to now, actually.  I have a playlist dedicated to Christmas music on iTunes. It consists of 20 songs.  Well, 20 individual songs, some are the same song done by different artists.)....

And....there's my one ADD moment for this blog...

Anyway, I'm not here to complain about Christmas music as a whole, just one song specifically.  Click the link, if you dare.  Do They Know It's Christmas.

This song irks the Hell out of me.  First off, I'm not a "let's go overseas and help everybody" person.  I'm all for people doing that, it's great, but I'm more of a "hey, there are so many hurting people here in the US/VA/Salem let's help them" person.  Everyone has a place in the world, mine's not overseas.  But, this song gets me anyway.

Honestly, I think it starts out okay.
It's Christmas time 
There's no need to be afraid 
At Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade 
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy 

Okay, this is true.  Don't be afraid, it's Christmas.  And yeah, it's true, we live in a land that is plentiful, so we can afford (though, I thought they were free...) to spread smiles and joy.  Good stuff.  Let's do that.  This song is going to be great... Right?

No.

Throw your arms around the world at Christmas time

All right......no, wait...what?

But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it's hard, but when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there
Are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you

The other ones? Really? That's kind of rude, but whatever.  Let's pray for them...because they live in a world of dread and fear? Oh, that's right, here in America (the non-other ones) there is no dread or fear anywhere... Whoa whoa whoa...the only water that flows is the bitter sting of tears?  Seriously?  Africa is the mecca of civilization. Civilization is founded by water...there is water in Africa (perhaps you've heard of the Nile?).  Look at a map.  Yeah, desert areas don't get much rain...but really? Tears?  And the bells that ring are only bells of doom?  Um, first off, Christmas bells are lame.  Second, just because here in the perfection that is America (cough cough) we ring them doesn't mean other places have to follow our traditions.  And, third, an entire continent cannot be summed up like this.  ((That really didn't make much sense, I don't always articulate things as well as my mind does.))

But (and yes, this deserves it's own section) what get's me the most is why the Hell am I supposed to THANK God that it's other people suffering and not me?  What??  Shouldn't I be praying that their suffering is stopped. That they see what we have the great privilege of seeing everyday, freedom? Grr...

And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
(Oooh) Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all

Are you kidding me?  No, really, is this song a joke?  There won't be snow in Africa this Christmas?  Um...duh.  Why? Oh yeah, because "civilized" society placed Christmas in December.  Just because it's winter and cold here doesn't mean it's cold everywhere else.  Cold, of course, is a main feature of snow. Next, the greatest gift any of us receive ever is life, so I guess they're getting the best Christmas present ever, eh? Oh, no, money is the best, I forgot...  Nothing ever grows?  Really?  Do they know it's Christmastime?  Well, guess what? Many people don't even celebrate Christmas, so I'm guessing they couldn't care less if it's Christmas...and those who are Christians, well, yeah, of course they know it's Christmas. Christmas isn't about gifts and money and commercialism, it's about the birth of Christ.  Well, that's what it's supposed to be.  So, just because it's not cold and snowing and full of money and presents doesn't mean it's not Christmas you conceited prick.

Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again

Yes, feed the world. But do so out of a gracious and giving spirit, not your haughty "better than you" attitude.  Hell, I wouldn't take your food...

Ugh, rant complete.  And, yes, I know the original version of this song (posted above) isn't compiled by Americans, but it's such a popular song here (heard it four times today) that it's directed at Americans. No, not all of them.  Just most.  The intention is supposed to be good in this song, I think, but it's lost in the words.

Now, I'll end on one of my favorite Christmas songs. Two versions.

Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel

Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel