Around the Bluhmin’ Town

By

Judy Bluhm

It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas. Everywhere you go. And, we Arizonans have plenty of splendid places to go and still have many more carols and songs to enjoy. Music ushers in the holidays and holds some of our earliest and most treasured memories.

Christmas may be defined by many things . . . cookies, gifts, Santa, shopping, dinners, parties and snow. But nothing brings joy to the Season like music. Psychologists claim that the reason so many people love Christmas carols is because they take us on a sentimental journey. Joy might be all wrapped up in a fun little jingle, or a moving hymn. Holiday music can bring us to tears, remind us of another time, or just make us feel like singing. Research claims that there is a correlation between “holiday shopping music” and spending habits. Evidently “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” is an example of a song that “creates” a positive shopping environment.

Yet, it is the “giving” aspect of the holidays that brings us closer to the true meaning of Christmas. We think of others in every gift we buy, song we sing, and cookie we bake. The Gifts of the Magi is that famous example of selfless love, describing the sacrifices a young couple made at Christmas. The husband sold his prized gold watch so that he could buy his wife two ivory combs for her beautiful long hair. The wife had her hair cut and sold it so that she could buy a gold chain for her husband’s precious watch.

A couple in New River have their own “Magi Story.” For Christmas last year, the wife sold her horse because times were tough and she then bought her husband a helmet, boots and protective gear for his motorcycle. The husband sold his motorcycle and bought his wife a hand-tooled leather saddle. It wasn’t the Christmas morning that they were expecting, but they experienced the greatness of unselfish giving.

This is also the Season to give to those less fortunate. Americans donated approximately 36 billion on Giving Tuesday and we don’t stop there. Toys, blankets, coats for kids, and foodbank donations are just a few of the ways we spread joy. The average donation is $136 per person, and that is just in the month of December!

Christmas is the Season of hope and generosity, and the time of year to blast the radio, go to a concert, listen to a choir and greet those carolers. In every shop, car, home, church and office the music of the Holidays inspires us to sing-along and tap our feet. Yep, the bells are ringing and we are singing.

Silent Night. Joy to the World. I’ll Be Home for Christmas. The playlist is long and wonderful. Tunes about Jesus, love, decorations, elves, Santa and reindeers fill the air! Join in on the fun, dance, clap and hum to every single note that takes you to a place that is pure and special.

Dear Readers, thrill to the sounds of Christmas! Give selflessly. Share the love. Enjoy eggnog. Eat a cookie. Because Santa Clause is Coming to Town.

Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local realtor. Contact Judy at [email protected] or visit www.aroundthebluhmintown.com.