Why do we love Christmas music so much? What is it about this holiday that has inspired so many epic pieces of audio enjoyment? Whether it’s Handel’s Messiah or Jose Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad,” there seems to be no end to great Christmas songs. And it’s not just the music, it’s all forms of art. From The Nutcracker ballet to the “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” movie, and especially the vast, iconic imagery that surrounds the season. Every year, holiday art surrounds us and touches us on a subatomic level.
Holidays and Art Are Deeply Entwined in Cultures Around the World
But of course, it isn’t just Christmas. Across cultures and religions, the holidays we celebrate have inspired some of humanity's greatest works of art. For example, as Ramadan ends and Eid al-Fitr begins, the recitation of the Takbīr al-Eid fills homes and mosques. During Diwali, homes are adorned with Rangoli art, colorful mandala patterns crafted from powders or petals—celebrating the Festival of Lights. And for the Jewish community, the Passover Haggadah stands as a beautifully illustrated literary guide to the Seder, renewed year after year.
I know we might be getting into the chicken versus the egg debate of which comes first, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s the gravity or magnitude of a spiritual experience that inspires an artist to write a song, or is it the art we experience that brings so much meaning and joy to the holidays?
As it turns out, I’m not the only one with thoughts on this. In fact, there are some far more qualified artists who just happen to be showcasing their skills this season at a Harris County Library branch near you.
Holiday Music Connects Us to Traditions, Faith, and One Another
There's no doubt that the holidays we celebrate continue to inspire great creative expression from performers and other artists. For some artists, the holidays and all their traditions, symbolism, and memories form a sort of conduit of connection between performers and art. Hunter O'Brien, Director of Education and Community Initiatives at DACAMERA, says, "For me, artistic expression stems from the connections between the inner self and the world around me. The holidays highlight these connections through celebration, community, and nostalgia... It is this reflection that can allow creatives to dig deeper into their own emotional bank and put forward work that expresses openly and truly."
For Alisa Magallon, founder of Classical Sing Move Play, music is one of the deepest forms of celebration we have in society. "When people come together for the Holidays, they want to connect and have a shared joyful experience. Music allows us to be part of something bigger than ourselves, to create something beautiful with our neighbor." She goes on to remind us that music and art can help us stay connected to our past. "We sing the same songs from our childhood and recall fond memories and people. I believe music is the best gift to be shared at the holidays, it's something that can be expressed from the heart, and it brings us all closer together.
Longtime library partner, Matthew Detrick, Executive & Artistic Director, and founder of the Apollo Chamber Players, reflects on the effect art can have over the course of one's life and how their childhood experiences around the holidays can shape their views and values. "So many traditions - Christian, Jewish, secular, folk, interfaith - hold stories of hope, renewal, and belonging. Growing up as a 'PK' (pastor’s kid), I saw firsthand how music could gather people across backgrounds and beliefs, especially during the holidays. My Dad's ministry was progressive and deeply ecumenical, so the lessons I absorbed were always about connection and the inherent value in all people. That same spirit guides Apollo’s interfaith Holiday Voyage programs: art becomes a meeting point where communities can celebrate both the diversity and the universality of their traditions."
Our Holiday Memories Resonate and Shape Us Through the Years
The holiday memories and music also connect us to our past, and sometimes, future selves. Matthew is not alone in sharing strong childhood memories that shaped their professional life. Nicole Hunt, Education and Community Initiative Manager for DACAMERA tells the story of growing up in a musical, holiday-spirited family."I was surrounded by holiday performances from an early age. With a musician mother and a strong sense of community, I spent my childhood singing in church programs, performing with a children’s chorus, and playing seasonal pieces in piano recitals. Those early experiences helped shape my connection to music and inspired my artistic journey, eventually leading me to my work today as a vocalist and music educator. As we prepare for our DACAMERA Young Artists to shine in their upcoming Holiday performances, I'm reminded of how powerful and heartwarming it is to share creativity across generations.
Of course, the dramatic effects of experiencing art as a child aren't always centered on family, but are in some ways as crucial as family in showing us possibilities and who we can become. Alisa Magallon says, "My 8th Grade music teacher had us put on a Holiday musical where I played Suzy Snowflake. My mom thrifted a gorgeous wedding gown from the 1940s, and it was the first time I truly felt the thrill of the stage. I remember feeling like a princess, but more so- I felt confident. Middle school is a tricky time, and we are trying to discover who we are as people. Without musicals and plays in school, I would have struggled to understand who I was and what I was meant to do. I'm grateful for these early fine arts experiences that allowed me to joyfully express myself during those awkward coming-of-age years!"
And Those Memories Go Way Back
It is no accident that so many cultures celebrate holidays around the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice. Since earliest human history, the lengthening of darkness and the hope of renewal have shaped our perception of our place in the universe. A great deal of human creativity has focused on it. From the building of Stonehenge to medieval Passion Plays, to more contemporary expressions, artists evoke the journey of rebirth from the fearful depths of winter to the coming of spring. Troy Scheid, Executive Creative Producer of Winter of the Snow Queen, says, "Near the beginning of the Brave Little Company and Stages co-production of Winter of the Snow Queen, the grandmother warns her family that on the darkest nights of winter, children must beware the Snow Queen. As winter gets closer, we can all observe the hours of daylight getting shorter and the days getting colder, and we're eager for spring to come! There are many cultures in the Northern Hemisphere that celebrate the return of light after the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. When things are darkest outside, we like to be with our nearest and dearest, share food, make music, and tell stories that push back against the darkness. In our musical, the main character (and the audience, who are working with her) has to find the light within herself in a dark and confusing time. We wanted to create a play that was festive and welcoming for all traditions, so we can all celebrate together! "
Celebrate the Season at HCPL
The reasons why the art surrounding the holidays is so impactful to us are only limited by the number of experiences we share and continue to create with the people around us. Maybe we should view the holidays themselves as unique expressions of art, each one standing as an aggregate of people who love them and the memories they create. -- Something to think about as you enjoy some of the many holiday programs this year with the Harris County Public Library.
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