I've realized over the past few years that the Christmas carol "Silent Night" is a very beautiful song, in the right hands. It was driven home last year while at Christmas Vigil mass, with the last song being "Silent Night". We had all circled the inside perimeter of the church, all holding candles. And we all started singing... gently, with feeling. And I think I almost cried. It's right up there on my list of powerful songs with Claire de Lune...

Many artists have re-imagined or covered "Silent Night", but the one that always sticks in my mind is what Simon and Garfunkel brought us. They took themselves singing "Silent Night" and then overlaid the seven o'clock news report on it. It is at once haunting, bittersweet and a poignant statement.

These days, the news is different... but I think the sentiment is still the same.

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One of the most amazing renditions of "Silent Night" that I've heard has to be from Mannheim Steamroller. I was first introduced to this version through the Rush Limbaugh Show. As is the tradition, when Christmas rolls around, Rush starts playing Mannheim Steamroller Christmas music for all his bumpers.

I have a very vivid memory of the night I fell asleep listening to KFI radio back in Los Angeles and ended up in that half-awake state where outside sounds leak into your dreams. The overnight replays had started, Rush was up and he was playing this song. I don't remember much from the dream, except that the music was there... and in the final minutes of the song, I woke up with the most amazing feeling of sadness and wonder that I think I've ever experienced. It was a very powerful experience that I still remember to this day.

Merry Christmas, my friends. May yours be spent with friends, family and loved ones.