part the first

with the changing seasons it’s hard to resist that epic pull that happens every year, that inexplicable desire to listen to nothing else but christmas music.  no matter how i try to fight it, there never fails to be a perfect fall morning when the bare branches frame the bay windows of my living room and the walk to work is perfectly cold and clear -- i smile down the block to the caribbean market as my boots hit the brick.  and there it is! that moment when i want nothing more than to switch my ipod from “bad romance” to “winter wonderland.”  however, i am a firm believer that christmas music is best left for the day after thanksgiving.  so I resist and continue click clacking down the street to the gaga.

after encountering that mysterious fall day this year, i seemed to have stayed the temptation and moved the christmas music to the back of my mind. that is, until two weeks ago, when there was an announcement in the church bulletin about joining the christmas choir.  with haste, i checked the box and dropped the green card into the offering basket as it passed by.  while i wanted nothing more than to listen to bing crosby when i got home, i stayed strong.  close call.  then, not a week later, i was tempted yet again by that darned starbucks corporation and its shocking ability to make the perfect christmas mix cd year after year! this year’s version is called “make merry.”  i know because i already bought it {don’t worry—the shrink wrap won’t come off until friday morning}. 

now, a mere three days until i can revel in the music of the season with no shame, i gave in.  in my defense, i was set up.  as a joke, a coworker switched my pandora station from "broadway hits" to "gregorian chants".  the logical progression, obviously, was to chanticleer.  from there, it was only a hop skip and a jump away from handle’s messiah.  so, i’m officially throwing in the towel, but don’t tell mego, she doesn’t know yet.

enjoy the wonderous music that is handle's messiah, unless you're choosing to stay strong till friday.  and if that's the case, good luck.