Holiday-Themed Song of the Day: "Christmas in Washington":
By
Steve Earle, from
El Corazon. Steve released this politically-tinged Christmas carol (of sorts) at the tail end of the Clinton administration. This well-crafted, catchy little number invokes the spirits of Emma Goldman,
Woody Guthrie, and Joe Hill, among others.
Strange Solstice Factoid:
Solstice means "sun standing still." For that reason, the Solstice is often looked upon as a time for following the actions of the Sun by being still and introspective.
Holiday Tradition of the Day: the Feast:
The ancient pagans celebrated the Winter Solstice by throwing a feast on the eve of Mid-Winter. Winter was a season of sparse eating, because people would have to subsist on what they had harvested in the autumn, until spring arrived. Taking part in the feast was a way of showing piety to the God and Goddess, as well as a testimony of faith that light and warmth would be restored.
Gift of the Day:
The Blind Boys of Alabama,
Go Tell It On the Mountain. This gospel and soul record is full of fantastic renditions of holiday songs by one of the tightest groups in their genre.
