As I was going through my Christmas CD collection, I was struck by how many Christmas albums are produced by non-Christians. In fact, I think Kenny G said once, when asked why he did a Christmas album, that it was because the music was beautiful in and of itself.

For some reason, this holiday … above all others … has inspired the most music (to my knowledge). Christmas music comes in the form of songs to be sung by many and songs to be sung by one. I comes in the from of serious classical symphonies and whimsical spoofs sung by cats and dogs.

Throughout the season, you can hear the familiar chords of Christmas music over the air waves and in department stores. Music forms the background against which everything else takes place to make the Christmas season different from all others. Christmas music plays such a significant role that during the entire season, other popular music temporarily disappears from many radio stations. That may be the reason for all the different types of Christmas music – sacred, secular, popular and traditional – that have emerged throughout the years.

Popular and secular renditions of Christmas music has been developed by musical artists and performers who ‘make over’ classic styles of Christmas music with their own personal touch. One reason for popular covers of Christmas songs may be because regular popular music is not heard during the holiday season so pop musicians and artists do Christmas music to keep their voices always in earshot of their fans and the general audience.

It could also be that they want to capitalize on the popularity of Christmas music. (Yes, greed plays an ever increasing role in this holiday, sad to say.) In fact, Dr. Elmo has a song on his album, Dr. Elmo’s Twisted Christmas, called “Christmas Millionaire” that is about just that.

Whatever the reason, it has become a trend for popular musical artists to release new Christmas or holiday music albums during the season. Since variety is the spice of life, it means there are more variations of secular, sacred, classical or traditional and popular renditions of Christmas music that can be heard. You can have a Celtic Christmas, a Classical Christmas or even a Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas. Heck, if you like, you can be serenaded by cats and dogs “singing” Christmas staples.

Music at Christmas time is important to create the right mood. The prevalence of Christmas music is what helps to create the special holiday type of feeling or spirit that is present everywhere and among everyone. Everyone has particular Christmas songs and carols that are favorites, maybe for the melody, the lyrics or because they are reminders of special memories.

The most popular Christmas song is said to be ‘White Christmas,’ which is popular even in warm and tropical climates where people sing of ‘dreaming of a White Christmas,’ which, in reality, they probably wouldn’t want. Other popular Christmas songs and carols are: ‘Away in a Manger,’ which tells the Nativity story in song; ‘O Holy Night,’ ‘Silent Night,’ ‘Joy to the World,’ ‘Hark the Herald Angels‘ and ‘Angels We Have Heard on High‘.

All of those songs are sacred and are all about the story of Jesus’ birth. Of note also is Handel’s majestic ‘Hallelujah Chorus,’ which is a favorite that choirs like to sing because of the splendor embodied in the music.

Nat King Cole’s ‘Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire (The Christmas Song)‘ is a classical favorite. It defies categorization as it isn’t sacred but is also not considered secular like a song such as ‘Sleigh Ride.’

Among secular Christmas songs, there are also funny ones such as ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus‘ (I personally LOVE John Mellencamp’s cover of that song) and ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,’ which got its start as part of an advertising campaign for Montgomery Ward.

The availability of a wide Christmas music selection makes it possible to choose ones for different occasions, such as for general use at home, for a fun or informal party or for a formal dinner. As an example, selections can be made to create the right mood at the start of a party, followed by more lively music when the party is in full swing, and then selections to slow down the pace when the party is nearing its end.

It’s also important to note that professional groups such as choirs, symphonies and orchestras will also record performances of Christmas music on albums. For the very serious and critical music aficionados, these albums will provide wonderful listening pleasure and also make good Christmas presents. Listening to music from those groups is also a way of enjoying their performances if doesn’t get the opportunity to attend a live concert by the professional group. Whatever selections of Christmas music are made however, it’s likely that it will create a festive mood and spirit among all who hear or are listening to the music.

I was just watching The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (I Tivo it) and in his opening monologue he mentioned that he used to get tangerines and chocolate in his Christmas stockings when he was growing up.

When I was growing up there was always a tangerine in the toe of my stocking … even though my parents (and Santa) knew I don’t like tangerines much.

So, I wondered … is it a Scottish thing?

No, not really.

It’s part of a larger tradition surrounding St. Nicholas (Bishop Nicholas of Myra, Turkey).

According to legend, says Wikipedia, there was a poor man with three beautiful daughters. Because the man was so poor, he couldn’t provide a dowry to get his daughters married and he was worried about what would happen to them when he was gone.

St. Nicholas was passing through that village and heard of the poor man’s plight. He wanted to help but knew he couldn’t just give the man some money out right. He had to do it in secrecy.

That night, he crept into their home through the chimney, carrying with him three bags of gold coins … one for each of the three daughters. In looking for a place to put the bags of coins, he noticed that the girls’ stockings were hanging over the mantelpiece to dry. So he decided to put the bags of coins inside the the girls’ stockings, where they found them when they woke up in the morning.

Often, these bags of coins are said to be golden balls. Tangerines, and sometimes oranges, are used to represent those balls. And so, Europeans and their American descendants still put round, orange fruit in the toes of stockings as a reminder of Nicholas’ gift.

Of course, the origin of such traditions can get lost from one generation to the next … leading to my Internet research.

Oh, and about Ferguson’s chocolates … I found that chocolate coins are often added to Christmas stocking for the same reason as the tangerine.

What did my father say was the reason for the tangerine? Besides sharing the tradition of his father, he said it was to prevent stocking stuffers from getting caught in the toe of the stocking … which isn’t too far fetched. One year, we went to hang up the Christmas stockings and found a gift from the previous year still lodged inside!

When I was growing up, my father and mother would take me and my sister to see The Nutcracker Suite at the performing arts center in Marin County, Calif. It was one of many family outings we did each year around the Christmas season. When I was older, going to see a performance of Handel’s Messiah was added to the mix.

When the kids get old enough to sit through a live performance, including this type of activity in the mix of things you do as a family can really add depth and color to the memories of Christmas your children build. Attending Christmas plays, performances and concerts offer wonderful holiday entertainment for all members of the family and provides another way to enjoy the festivities of the Christmas season.

The beauty is, you don’t usually don’t have to venture too far from your home to enjoy a Christmas play or concert. That’s because amateur actor troupes, singers and budding musicians in your neighborhood will often take part in several Christmas performances for local residents. These amateur but entertaining events can be found at local schools, churches or at a community theater or performance center. Of course, if you live near or in a larger city, your options grow exponentially.

Traditional stage performances that take place during this time of year include:

The Nativity Story
Christmas is the celebration of Christ’s birth, so it makes sense to tell the story of his birth and the coming of the three wise men at this time.

A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic has been adapted for the stage as both a drama and a musical. I saw one performance years ago … I make sure to see it because I guy I had a crush on was in it … that was really very good. It never ceases to amaze me how inventive stage special effects can be!

The Nutcracker Suite
Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet is an adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffman’s story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” Composed in 1891-92, The Nutcracker Suite tells the story of a young girl who has a dream on Christmas Eve of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle with a Mouse King. After a fierce battle between the Nutcracker, who leads an army of toy soldiers, and the Mouse King who leads an army of mice, the Nutcracker is captured. But the little girl throws her slipper at the Mouse King, hits him in the head and kills him. In the end, the Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes the little girl to the magical and enchanting Land of Snow with dancing snowflakes and the Land of Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Other popular performances include concerts of Handel’s Messiah, Christmas carols and classical Christmas music.

What makes local Christmas performances special is that members of the community and maybe even of your own household can be among the entertainers. It is therefore special to see familiar faces doing something interesting and different.

For those who are budget-conscious, the performances are usually priced to be very affordable, therefore offering an economic incentive to go out and have an enjoyable afternoon or evening.

Attending Christmas plays, concerts or musical performances serves the basic purpose of entertainment, but it can also help young people — and even adults — to develop an appreciation for the arts. Seeing different variations and the creativity in performances of Christmas plays, as well as hearing different renditions of Christmas songs, can be the first exposure that leads to a lifelong love of the arts and maybe a dream to pursue a career in the arts, as well.