My favorite Christmas song, from my favorite Christmas album.
In all my ambivalence about the religious aspects of Christmas, I know one thing—I hope you all will find happiness and contentment at this season.
As the song says,
I bid you pleasure and I bid you cheer,
From a heathen and a pagan,
On the side of the rebel Jesus.
The Rebel Jesus, by Jackson Browne
The streets are filled with laughter and light
And the music of the season
And the merchants’ windows are all bright
With the faces of the children
And the families hurrying to their homes
As the sky darkens and freezes
Will be gathering around the hearths and tables
Giving thanks for all God’s graces
And the birth of the rebel JesusThey call him by the “Prince of Peace”
And they call him by “The Saviour”
And they pray to him upon the sea
And in every bold endeavor
As they fill his churches with their pride and gold
And their faith in him increases
But they’ve turned the nature that I worshipped in
From a temple to a robber’s den
In the words of the rebel JesusWe guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when Christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if any one of us should interfere
In the business of why they are poor
They get the same as the rebel JesusBut pardon me if I have seemed
To take the tone of judgement
For I’ve no wish to come between
This day and your enjoyment
In this life of hardship and of earthly toil
We have need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure and I bid you cheer
From a heathen and a pagan
On the side of the rebel Jesus.
Kerry, wishing you and your Sweetie a gentle Christmas!
Thank you so much, Carmen–and thanks for being here! Have a beautiful holiday weekend–I hope you find magic!
Ahw, what a lovely song! I always had a soft spot for the Pogues Christmas song, although I know it is a cliche. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! xx
Ha–if you were here today, you’d hear my husband playing the guitar and singing the Pogues’ song! Have a wonderful day, Jess!
Merry Christmas to you Kerry 🙂
Same to you, Andrea!
Merry Christmas Dear Kerry to you and your loved ones!
⛄️Merry Christmas,to you and all those that surround you (even mischievous kitties)❄️
Mischievous kitties are looking forward to catnip today! Hope you Christmas is perfect, Deb!
Thanks for the song and the photo – a beacon in the darkness.
I love my lighthouse this time of year . . . I hope your holiday is peaceful, calm, and bright.
I’m visiting from the Crafty Creek …. I like the Chieftains and enjoyed listening to them just now. I enjoyed this post and your other Advent ones ….. your Christmas memories were entertaining and reminded me of Christmas’s past – they were the best. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much for letting me know you’re out there reading! Have a wonderful Christmas Day!
Thank you for sharing the lyrics. I am not always able to discern them. I love them in this song.
I’m the same way–I am always misinterpreting what I hear or just losing track of the words. I’m glad you liked the song!
Wonderful song and amazing photo! Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Susan! Happy Christmas–have a lovely day!
Have a lovely day, whatever you do!
Having coffee in a fun new roaster spot, buying thyme (I hope!) and heading home. We plan to stay at home and eat and rink and open gifts and watch fun Christmas movies for two days!
I called the B&B yesterday and reserved the room across the street for us in June! Really looking forward to it. Will you be going to Vavstuga next year?
It sounds like you have a perfect plan for Christmas–a lot like what we have planned! I’m not sure about our Vavstuga plans–we haven’t booked anything so far. We keep talking about a big trip in the fall (Scotland?) but haven’t done anything to make it happen . . . who knows?!
From one ambivalent agnostic to another – Happy Christmas! And thanks for this great Advent series.
Ambivalent agnostic–yes, that about sums it up! So nice to know we have each other, Margaret!
Hmmm. I’m sure that we have the Chiefton’s Christmas in CD, but I find the Clancy Brother’s instead. Must add that to the post-Christmas list to squirrel away for next year. I have hear the Rebel Jesus before. Merry Christmas.
Oscar
The Clancy Brothers are great, too! Have a lovely Christmas, Oscar!
A song for the season … and yes, Jesus = quite the rebel. Peace to you and yours during this season. Merry Christmas.
Hi, Frank–I saw all the songs you shared for Christmas and will go back and have a listen–I’m sure I’ll find new ones I love! I hope your holiday is magical!
Kerry,
Cheers to your holiday … and of course .. We are ___ 🙂 … Let me know your favorite video!
I’m enjoying that album! I’ve so enjoyed your Advent series and hope the coming Christmas Day will bring something special to add into the box of memory goodies! We are off to the beach! xoxo
I’m glad you’re liking the album, Pauline! And I super envious that you’re going to the beach–I doubt I’ll stick my nose outside today!
Kerry, you are right, Jesus was a rebel. He turned the world upside. If only we spent more time listening to His words and following His actions, instead of being religious. I wish you and yours health, peace and wonder in 2017. Hugs to you from the midwest.
Thank you, Kathy–I could not agree more! Have a peaceful, wonderful day–are you getting a blizzard right now??
I just walked the dog, it’s almost 6 am here, and the clouds are so low you could touch them. It is silent right now, and I think it’s supposed to hit us about 9 am mtn. We are on the edge so we are waiting to see what we really get. 🙂
I didn’t know that song – thought provoking. Have a Merry Christmas your way! Your advent series has been a real treat
I will, indeed, have a Merry Christmas, my way! Thanks for reading along on the advent series –I have to admit I’m a little glad it’s over–I was running out of things to say, for sure! Have a wonderful holiday!
[J+D] Dear Kerry, we wish you and yours a very contented Christmas and a year ahead full of blessings (or discovering those you already have!). You’ve worked hard – you’ve worked hard and earnestly even at Christmas! You’ve earned your rewards!
Thank you both! It was a labor of love and nostalgia and it was fun! But I do look forward to some time off. I hope your Christmas is peaceful and perfect!
Merry days throughout the year, peace and love always.
Thank you so much, Jean–and the very same back to you!
Goodness, I don’t think I’ve visited since Advent Day #10 or something like that! Perhaps I’ll find time to go back, but for now, let me wish you a Merry Christmas morning.
I’m in Atlanta with my son and while waiting for the household to awaken, I’m enjoying coffee and blog visits. What a quiet treat!!
Enjoy your day and thank you for sharing that wonderful quote!
I hope you’re having a great visit with family, Laurie!
Jeez!! And I thought Penn State was a second-half team! Were the Hokies trying to give every fan a cardiac arrest??! Still, all’s well that ends well–congrats!
What a tale of two halves! Holy Moly! As bad as the first half was, the second half was an absolute blast!
Good luck in the Rose Bowl. So exciting!!
Merry Christmas Kerry:) & Happy Holidays:)
Hugs
Merry Christmas, Kerry! Enjoying the music. I haven’t heard this CD or song by Jackson Browne.
My own favorite is Greg Lake’s “I Believe in Father Christmas”.
I hope that you’ve had a wonderful holiday season. Happy New Year!
We have had a very calm and relaxing holiday–the best kind! Happy New Year to you, too, Sheryl–all the best for 2017!
Happy 2017!
Thanks very much! And the same to you!
First photo is awesome! Happy New Year 2017.
Hi Kerry, I just wanted to let you know that I am taking a break from my photo blog. I started a new knitting blog and that is where you can find me if you are interested. I will be following with my new blog the next time I sign in – laurasknittingjournal.wordpress.com
Thanks for letting me know! I went and followed the new blog. I hope you don’t entirely give up taking photos and sharing them!
No, there will be photos too.
Kerry, wishing you and your Sweetie a tender Christmas!..what a beautiful tune! I generally had a weakness for the Pogues Christmas tune, despite the fact that I know it is an adage. I trust you have a superb Christmas!
Christmas was wonderful, indeed–thanks! And I love the Pogues Christmas song, too–not the usual approach but I love the attitude!