BRANCHES December 2015
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
an exegesis of a yuletide carol<br />
It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it’s… it’s… a Christmas variety show!? Yes, it’s a Christmas show at<br />
the Lodge full of ballyhoo, shenanigans, and of course, merriment. Fa La Lodge is actually<br />
one of the few things in life that cannot easily be misunderstood. It is exactly what it sounds<br />
like: an evening of Christmas music, hot chocolate, and good fun to be had—at the Lodge!<br />
In order to aid you in preparation for the evening, I’ll offer this brief (yet scholarly... sort of)<br />
exegesis of a very old song.<br />
by James Parker<br />
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,<br />
(Adorn the passages with lot’s of greenery.)<br />
Fa la la la la, la la la la.<br />
(Fa la la la la, la la la la.)<br />
'Tis the season to be jolly,<br />
(It’s time to get happy!)<br />
Fa la la la la, la la la la.<br />
(Fa la la la la, la la la la.)<br />
Don we now our gay apparel,<br />
(Let’s put on our happy clothes!)<br />
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.<br />
(Fa la la la la, la la la la.)<br />
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol,<br />
(Sing the very old midwinter festival song!)<br />
Fa la la la la, la la la la.<br />
(Fa la la la la, la la la la.)<br />
See the blazing Yule before us,<br />
(Look! A log on fire!)<br />
Fa la la la la, la la la la.<br />
(Fa la la la la, la la la la.)<br />
Strike the harp and join the chorus.<br />
(Start playing the harmonica and begin singing!)<br />
Fa la la la la, la la la la.<br />
(Fa la la la la, la la la la.)<br />
Follow me in merry measure,<br />
(Come with me and be happy about it!)<br />
Fa la la la la, la la la la.<br />
(Fa la la la la, la la la la.)<br />
While I tell of Yuletide treasure,<br />
(I’ll tell you about fancy stuff associated with said midwinter festival!)<br />
Fa la la la la, la la la la.<br />
(Fa la la la la, la la la la.)<br />
Fast away the old year passes,<br />
(Time keeps moving on.)<br />
Fa la la la la, la la la la.<br />
(Fa la la la la, la la la la.)<br />
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,<br />
(Just relax and go with it guys and gals!)<br />
Fa la la la la, la la la la.<br />
(Fa la la la la, la la la la.)<br />
Sing we joyous, all together,<br />
(We sing happy together! Or together happy? However you want to phrase it.)<br />
Fa la la la la, la la la la.<br />
(Fa la la la la, la la la la.)<br />
Heedless of the wind and weather,<br />
(It’s cold and windy outside? Fuhgeddaboudit!)<br />
Fa la la la la, la la la la<br />
(Fa la la la la, la la la la.)<br />
The song is ridiculous…seriously ridiculous! And like all things ridiculous, it is one of many backdrops for human beings to enjoy being with one another.<br />
People need the company and warmth of their friends and family. We can’t survive without it. And sometimes a silly song that makes us laugh is just the<br />
excuse we need. It breaks the ice and before we even know what’s happening, we find ourselves swept away with enjoyment and affection for each other.<br />
This is a good thing!<br />
Fa La Lodge is happening this year in order to provide a backdrop for us to simply “be together.” To sing, to drink wassail, and to laugh… a lot! We will<br />
just be there, donning our gay apparel, and making memories. Southwood has always been a church filled with people who love to be with one another. It<br />
is one of the many things that drew my family to find a home here. Even though it is a large building and the attendance has been that of a large church,<br />
it has always felt very warm and inviting. It is a unique place. I invite you to come to Fa La Lodge and see that this is still true!<br />
In addition to providing a backdrop to fellowship, it should also be quite entertaining. If your belly doesn't shake with laughter and your cold cheeks don't<br />
get warmed with smiles, then you probably went to the wrong event! We have a proven 3 year track record of providing holiday merriment at Fa La Lodge<br />
and we don't intend to slow things down this year!<br />
Fa La Lodge will be held on Sunday, <strong>December</strong> 20 th at the Lodge (across the street from the church). There will be two performances: 5:30 & 7:30. Tickets<br />
are available in the Guest Center on Sunday mornings and at the church office during business hours. They are free, but seating is limited, so grab yours<br />
before they are gone. A nursery will be available at the 5:30 show with sign-up required in advance and only $5 per child to cover this evening out. You can<br />
sign-up at the guest center or at the church office (deadline <strong>December</strong> 13 th ). So follow us in merry measure and put Fa La Lodge on your family’s calendar!