So much of the Christmas season, for me, is all about the music. I have no problems with you if you want to start your Christmas celebrations a little early. After Halloween seems excessive. After Thanksgiving is fair game. Then let’s bring on the real Christmas songs and the fake ones, too. I don’t discriminate. From Dec 16-31, it’s all Christmas music playing on Mental Jukebox.

You know, the thing I love most about Sufjan Stevens’ music isn’t the experimental aspects. It’s the reflective parts. Looking inward, not forward. Sufjan is no stranger to Christmas music, having recorded an extensive multi-disc Christmas album which is headlined by “O Come O Come Emmanuel”. The track represents both a modern interpretation of a traditional Christmas carol as well as a personal reflection of Sufjan’s own Christian faith. It’s not all ho-ho-ho’s, but it’s not all ho-hum either. “O Come O Come Emmanuel” captures the quiet, reflective mood of the artist’s musicality and the quiet mystery and wonderment of the season.

“O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer. Our spirits by Thine advent here. Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadows put to flight.”