This is surely a song to remind the listener of the true meaning of Christmas. Ian Anderson has expressed, in earlier releases, his discontent with organized religion, for instance the song My God, from Aqualung seems to implicate the Catholic Church, and his experience in it, as offensive to him... The Catholic Church has come a long way from some of its perceived disciplined ways, however, and now practices more compassionate and Christ-like attitude, which I personally welcome. Or maybe I'm just grown up now and can now see its intent and value. But I digress...
To understand where Anderson comes from with this song, I have to assume that he is a spiritual person, cherishing the content of the bible and frustrated by human influence and twisting of the word. As a purest, he seems to be disgusted with how commercial interests and self serving humanity have manipulated the meaning of its teachings for various alternate purposes. I believe Ian Anderson to be a purest, and someone who not only ignores, but rejects all of those entities that try to taint the truth of something as important to him as the teachings of the bible and the true meaning of Christmas.
And if this is all too uncomfortable for you to accept, then remember that it's just a Christmas song. You may resume your selfish pleasure...
This is surely a song to remind the listener of the true meaning of Christmas. Ian Anderson has expressed, in earlier releases, his discontent with organized religion, for instance the song My God, from Aqualung seems to implicate the Catholic Church, and his experience in it, as offensive to him... The Catholic Church has come a long way from some of its perceived disciplined ways, however, and now practices more compassionate and Christ-like attitude, which I personally welcome. Or maybe I'm just grown up now and can now see its intent and value. But I digress...
To understand where Anderson comes from with this song, I have to assume that he is a spiritual person, cherishing the content of the bible and frustrated by human influence and twisting of the word. As a purest, he seems to be disgusted with how commercial interests and self serving humanity have manipulated the meaning of its teachings for various alternate purposes. I believe Ian Anderson to be a purest, and someone who not only ignores, but rejects all of those entities that try to taint the truth of something as important to him as the teachings of the bible and the true meaning of Christmas.
And if this is all too uncomfortable for you to accept, then remember that it's just a Christmas song. You may resume your selfish pleasure...
Kind of a dark song, but enlightening.