Insufferably Hipster Christmas Carol I Love to Death

Just to make sure we’re all on the same page, I’m one of those stereotypical Wes Anderson fans*. I just love his work. I mean, sure, does he tell only one story? Yes. Do his set designs sail right past “detailed” and “obsessive” and land in “overly precious”? Also yes. Are his female characters consistently distant and emotionally closed off? Y-E-S. Do I care? Nope.

So when I found this song suggested by Apple music, I just about lost my mind because it could not possibly be a more Anderson Christmas song if it tried.

I can just see the line of quirky characters, wounded and flawed but still longing for love, processing in a crooked line along dark Bethlehem streets, coming to greet the Infant King. And I want to be there with them. I want to not have to pretend like I have it all together. I want to not pretend like I have any of it together. I want to drop the burden of striving for worldly respectability and acceptance and just sort of make my awkward, sincere way along sleeping buildings to see the impossible, beautiful gift of love that is there for all of us.

Come with me, yeah? Bring that sadness that you’re used to by now and wear like a curious hat set at a jaunty angle. Bring that nagging sense that you’ve continually disappointed the people you love most. Bring the brokenness and wounds that are so deep you suspect they’re all you have left of an identity. Bring it with you, because when we get to that manger, like the candy colored confection of any Anderson movie ending, we’re going to find a Love that somehow makes all of our broken pieces part of a beautiful whole.

He was little, weak, and helpless
Tears and smiles like us He knew
And He feeleth for our sadness
And He shareth in our gladness

And our eyes at last shall see Him
Through His own redeeming love

We’re approaching Gaudete Sunday- rejoice! It’s not quite Anderson pink, but it’s close. Let’s keep walking down these streets together, a jumbled mess of people, drawn to the Love that is calling us home.

---

*I have no idea what criteria there is for this statement. I ran a 5 minute Duck Duck Go search and couldn’t find an existing article to mock someone like me, but I’m sure there’s one out there.