September 01, 2004
Christmas In September
My good friend Sparky, aka "Mrs. Friend" is blogging recommendations for Christmas books for the kids. Seriously, this is the time to start thinking about this sort of thing. I know the Missus is already revving in to high gear.
As far as the books themselves go, I don't have much to say except that I believe that Sparky and I have very similar opinions as to what Christmas is actually supposed to mean and her descriptions of this selection amply illustrate her priorities.
I'll throw in one Cranky Tory (TM) anectdote about Christmas and the Culture. As corny as it sounds, I never cease to get all misty-eyed when Linus recites Luke 2:8-14 (KJV, of course) in A Charlie Brown Christmas. To me, that is one of the rare moments when pop culture - in this case in the form of a simple, badly animated cartoon - gets it absolutely bang on. Very moving. I hope my kids feel the same way some day. If so, I'll have done my job, at least on the spiritual front.
Yips! to Anne the Barely Attentive Mother, who has an interesting round-up of Mommy Blogs fitting for the impending start of the school year. (Like Anne's, my kids don't go back for another week.)
Posted by Robert at September 1, 2004 12:24 PM | TrackBackAnd lo, I have the same reaction to the Linus recitation. (The feeling returns soon thereafter when they they resuscitate the little tree.)
Of course, eye mist is a constant for me through the canon of Christmas specials -- when Harry toasts brother George and an angel gets his wings in 'Wonderful Life;' and particularly, in the Sim 'Christmas Carol' when Marley's Ghost points out the spirits trying vainly to intercede in human suffering, and when the Ghost of Christmas Present reveals beneath his robe the children Ignorance and Want.
There -- I'm in a Christmas mood already. Cheers, MCNS
Posted by: Mark C N Sullivan at September 1, 2004 05:29 PM
Oh, gosh...and I don't have a speech prepared or anything... All I can say is you like me, you really, really like me!
Now that I know there is a market for children's books reviews, I'll be sure to add more to my blog.
