As the nights turn cold and the days grow short, I can’t help but think of one thing. As leaves burst with color and wood fire places light across the Tennessee hills I find myself in, there is one thought that I can’t shake. As the season and sunsets turn into a kind of Thomas Kinkade/Yankee Candle mashup worthy of Double Rainbow strength awe and wonder, one thought is bursting across the landscape of my heart and soul …
It’s almost time to break out Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas album.
Easily the greatest Christmas album of all time, Merry Christmas is a steady jam of the best holiday songs ever. From the ridiculously awesome “All I want for Christmas is you,” to the gospel choir backed, “Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child,” the whole album is a mistletoe flavored cotton candy explosion of perfection. And there’s a part two being released this year. (She should title it either, “Merry Christmas II, the revenge,” or “Son of Merry Christmas.” You can have those for free Mariah!)
But when I tweeted about the album recently I was surprised how the responses only came in two varieties.
Some people loved it.
Some people hated it.
There was absolutely no middle ground. No one “kind of liked” it. You either passionately recognized it as the gift to humanity it is or you blindly missed how wonderful it is.
And the same thing is happening with Christians and the show “Glee.”
If you’ve never seen it, heard about it, been shamed by a friend who is mad you’re not watching it or “Modern Family,” then let me quickly describe it. Glee is a comedy/drama/musical centered on a glee club at a high school. Despite leaning heavily on “theme episodes,” they often tackle tough social issues in some surprising ways. It’s blown up in the last year. So much so, that bands who initially refused to let them use their music have come around. When I tweeted that Coldplay said no to Glee, people told me that was because Coldplay had too much “integrity.” Then the ratings exploded and Coldplay apologized to Glee and asked them to use their music.
But what I keep noticing is that there are two popular Christian reactions to Glee:
1. You’ve got to watch it!
In church on Sunday a friend described to me some of the Christian undertones and discussion that often peppers the script of Glee. Then someone else tweeted me and implored me to not only watch it, but write about it. “It’s awesome! You would be crazy not to be watching it!” That’s what some people tell me.
2. I can only assume that satan is the executive producer of Glee.
Worst show ever. In addition to butchering Journey songs, they’re pushing a really horrible agenda on us. It’s garbage. I would sooner slow dance with the Golden Compass or share a sleeping bag with a bunch of Harry Potter books. I hate that show and all Christians should.
There’s no middle ground. You hate it or you love it. Or so it would appear. I’ve not watched a whole season and don’t have a firm opinion on Glee. (I don’t love it as much as I love the new music from Mumford and Sons for instance or Alpha Rev.)
How about you though?
Do you watch Glee?
What’s your take?
