Christmas vs. The Holidays

Has Christmas jumped the shark?

Not that you need me to tell you that Christmas has become a tad bit commercial. But perhaps it's time to separate the 0.057% of Christmas that's a religious obervance from the 99.943% (2004 figures) that's become a combination Mardi Gras, Toyotathon, and Super Bowl Sunday. Then Christmas could be like All-Saints Day (or, if you prefer, Reformation Day), observed by a pious minority while the masses go trick-or-treating.

While you ponder that I offer for your consideration the just-released Twisted Sister Christmas album. In addition to taking on classics such as "White Christmas," "Silver Bells," and "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful" the band gives us a new version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" with lyrics that include "five skullhead rings, four quarts of Jack, three studded belts, two pairs of Spandex pants and a tatoo of Ozzy."

Incidentally, Twisted Sister will play an all-ages show in the Twin Cities this weekend with Impaler. God bless us every one!

Please let me know if you will or will not be playing hoops at St. John's this weekend. We tip off at 8:00 a.m. Saturday, as usual.