The holidays look different this year, but that’s all the more reason to celebrate with the one thing that brings us closer in spirit—music.
Music is such a big part of our life and brings back memories to our minds when we hear a certain song. For the last couple of weeks I have had this song in my head – And so this is Christmas by John Lennon.
When I sing and hum along to the song today, I can’t help think how this song relates to our current climate today. John Lennon recorded it almost 40 years ago.
The song came about after more than two years of peace activism by John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono, that began with the ‘bed-ins’ they created in March and May 1969.
The song was part of an international multimedia campaign launched by the couple in December 1969, at the height of the counterculture movement and protests against America’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
They had rented billboard spaces in 12 major cities around the world, for the display of black-and-white posters that declared “WAR IS OVER! If You Want It – Happy Christmas from John & Yoko”.
Lennon came up with the song as a way of continuing the themes of social unity and peaceful change via personal accountability, that was previously the basis of the earlier billboard campaign, while attempting to convey optimism and avoiding the sentimentality he felt often characterised Christmas music.
This Christmas season we are once again looking to find normal in how to celebrate this season. Holiday parties that we once enjoyed, canceled. Many struggling because of financial reasons and how do we celebrate Christmas without our family?
“And so this is Christmas” still gives us hope, peace and love. Today John Lennons words still echo in our minds, Let’s hope for a great one without any fears.
With just a few more days left in 2020, just “Imagine” what this last year has taught us. Less is more, having more patience, tapping into our creative side and counting our blessings.
John Lennon, we still love you today and miss your music. We wonder what you would be singing today with protesting, Covid, politics and quarantine.
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear