Christmas music in the modern world involves a mix between the sacred and the secular, a mix that’s usually reflected in annual holiday concerts.

A big part of my childhood concert memories center around the Christmas programs at Holy Redeemer School in Marshall. Each year we performed for parents and the community. The stage always included a stable for two eighth graders who played Mary and Joseph and a real life baby who played Jesus.

Confetti was dropped on the stage to symbolize snow. Sister Judy conducted from the balcony with two flashlights. She’d know if people weren’t singing, so everyone sang. No one ever dared to misbehave.

By eighth grade each class was ready to play a leadership role in the Christmas program. I was one of the students chosen to portray Joseph, which was definitely an honor. I also have good memories of The Light of Christ, a dance conducted with candles.

The program planners had a lot to choose from when it came to music. Most of it was sacred. The public school concerts had larger amounts of non-sacred music.

It’s good to see holiday concert traditions continue. I’ll have to go to a school Christmas concert one of these years. It’s hard to choose a favorite Christmas song because there are so many good ones.

If I had to choose, I would opt for Silent Night as my favorite sacred song. For secular modern music, I’d have to go with White Christmas.

There’s no other Christmas carol with the same enduring symbolism as Silent Night. It has its roots in a mountain tow in early modern Europe.

The church organ broke down right before Christmas. It looked like there would be no option other than a silent service. The congregation managed to find an alternative.

They organized a candlelight service and sang Silent Night. The tradition continues at many Christian churches in the 21st century.

White Christmas is different from Silent Night. The images simply revolve around snow. Glistening treetops and listening for sleigh bells call to mind the tradition of a snow covered holiday.

It’s a strong reflection of the 20th century, when many people migrated from the Northeast and Great Lakes to places with a warmer climate. The lyrics talk about dreaming of the white Christmases they used to know. They allude to the need to put the same kind of spirit into the holidays in any loaation.

White Christmas is nostalgic. It shows how the Christmas season fascinates children. In later years it’s important that the enthusiasm doesn’t vanish completely.

It might be more subdued, but it should still be there. In that respect White Christmas does point toward the religious tradition. The Christmas carols and church services are part of what keeps the Christmas spirit alive as someone ages.

Christmas music isn’t always perfect. There are some songs from recent years that don’t really strike a chord with me. I wonder if they’ll stand the test of time like Silent Night and White Christmas. It all depends on what young people think of them.

For the most part, however, I enjoy hearing Christmas music almost everywhere. I enjoy playing my favorite Christmas CDs, cassettes and record albums.

The songs serve as something that adds a dimension to the holiday season. They make people want to get out and shop. They inspire people to do some baking, decorate and send out cards.

Hopefully nobody tunes out the holiday music or gets tired of it. It’s something to be welcomed. It reminds everyone to celebrate and be happy.

— Jim Muchlinski is a longtime reporter in southwest Minnesota