When I was growing up, my parents had a console stereo in the living room and a large collection of albums. Every year, leading up to Christmas day, they would play Herb Alpert’s Christmas Album. Listening to it today, it reminds me of a time when families were together at home to share dinner every night and watch Ed Sullivan on Sunday night.
Christmas was a magical time and it’s meaning and significance were not lost on anyone. It was a time for giving gifts, hope, cheer, joy and celebration. Candlelight service at church was a highlight. Families were together and kids were surrounded by siblings and two parents, in most cases, and the traditions of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were well-ensconced in the American psyche. It was the celebration of the birth of Jesus and nativities were found all over.
Where I grew up, there was also the prospect of snow on the ground at that time of year. The sense and wonder of Christmas was all around. There was a feeling of comfort and happiness. The warm house with Christmas decorations inside and out and the tree adorned with meaningful family ornaments and silver tinsel was the crème de la crème of a traditional Christmas. The smells of baking nut bread and Christmas cookies brought all the senses into play.
The atmosphere just wouldn’t be the same without the help of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. From “The Bell that Couldn’t Jingle” to “Let it Snow” to “The Christmas Song,” the sounds of Alpert’s Christmas album were a mainstay in our Christmastime celebration.
Listening to it today, more than 50 years later, is a melancholy experience. It should be pure happiness listening to the familiar tunes and reminiscing, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that my entire family was together each of those Christmases and the realization that my mother has been gone for many years, and my father just died last New Year’s Eve, reminders me that those Christmases past can never be repeated.
Despite Christmas not being quite the same, through technology, I can still listen to these songs that were released way back in 1968.
No need to imagine Alpert’s great Christmas music of the past, you can listen to it now. Merry Christmas and remember that the one constant in our Christmas celebration is the true meaning of Christmas.
