A blog about LGBTQ+ History, Art, Literature, Politics, Culture, and Whatever Else Comes to Mind. The Closet Professor is a fun (sometimes tongue-in-cheek, sometimes very serious) approach to LGBTQ+ Culture.
As we gather this holiday season, I want to take a moment to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas filled with love, joy, and peace. Whether you are surrounded by family, chosen family, or enjoying some quiet moments of reflection, know that you are cherished and appreciated.
This Christmas, let us celebrate the beauty of diversity, the strength of authenticity, and the power of love in all its forms. To all my readers, may your holidays be filled with warmth, joy, and the comfort of knowing you are seen, valued, and loved.
This time of year reminds us of the importance of kindness, compassion, and the connections we share. For those who may find this season challenging, I hope you find comfort in the knowledge that you are not alone—this community stands with you, offering support and understanding. Let this Christmas be a time to honor your journey, cherish chosen family, and embrace the unique light you bring to the world. Here’s to hope, unity, and a season that sparkles with pride.
May your days be bright, your heart be light, and your holiday season filled with warmth and happiness. From my heart to yours, Merry Christmas!
—Joe, The Closet Professor
Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noël, Frohe Weihnachten, Buon Natale, Feliz Natal, С Рождеством, 圣诞快乐, メリークリスマス, 메리 크리스마스, عيد ميلاد مجيد, मेरि क्रिसमस, Krismasi Njema, শুভ বড়দিন, Mutlu Noeller, Καλά Χριστούγεννα, Vrolijk Kerstfeest, Wesołych Świąt, חג מולד שמח, Giáng Sinh Vui Vẻ, Maligayang Pasko, สุขสันต์วันคริสต์มาส,Καλά Χριστούγεννα, Felix Dies Nativitatis.
Since ancient language of Aramaic was most likely the language of Christ, I though I’d add this translation as well:
Behold your King, your King, before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
When I think of “O Holy Night,” I always think of it being sung by Mahalia Jackson, an American gospel singer and widely considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. I had a Christmas album when I was young that included Jackson’s version of the song, and it has always stuck with me as the best version I’ve ever heard.
Cantique de Noël
By Placide Cappeau, 1847
Minuit ! Chrétiens, c'est l'heure solennelle
Où l'homme Dieu descendit jusqu'à nous,
Pour effacer la tache originelle
Et de son père arrêter le courroux:
Le monde entier tressaille d'espérance
A cette nuit qui lui donne un sauveur
Peuple à genoux, attends ta délivrance
Noël ! Noël ! Voici le Rédempteur !
Noël ! Noël ! Voici le Rédempteur !
De notre foi que la lumière ardente
Nous guide tous au berceau de l'enfant
Comme autrefois, une étoile brillante
Y conduisit les chefs de l'Orient
Le Roi des Rois naît dans une humble crèche,
Puissants du jour fiers de votre grandeur,
A votre orgueil c'est de là qu'un Dieu prêche,
Courbez vos fronts devant le Rédempteur !
Courbez vos fronts devant le Rédempteur !
Le Rédempteur a brisé toute entrave,
La terre est libre et le ciel est ouvert
Il voit un frère où n'était qu'un esclave
L'amour unit ceux qu'enchaînait le fer,
Qui lui dira notre reconnaissance?
C'est pour nous tous qu'il naît, qu'il souffre et meurt:
Peuple, debout ! chante ta délivrance,
Noël ! Noël! chantons le Rédempteur !
Noël ! Noël! chantons le Rédempteur !
About "O Holy Night" / "Cantique de Noël"
“O Holy Night” began as a French poem titled “Minuit, chrétiens” (“Midnight, Christians”) in 1843. It was written by Placide Cappeau, a wine merchant and poet from the small French town of Roquemaure. Cappeau was asked to write a Christmas poem to celebrate the renovation of the local church organ. Although not deeply religious himself, he drew inspiration from the Gospel of Luke, which describes the birth of Jesus. Subsequently, Cappeau’s poem was set to music by Adolphe Adam, a well-known French composer, in 1847. Adam, famous for composing operas and ballets, created a melody that beautifully reflected the poem’s reverence and emotion. The song quickly gained popularity in France.
In 1855, an American Unitarian minister named John Sullivan Dwight translated the song into English. Dwight was an abolitionist who was deeply moved by the song’s themes of hope, peace, and liberation. He particularly connected with the line:
“Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother;
And in His name, all oppression shall cease.”
At the time, the United States was deeply divided over slavery, and this message resonated strongly with the abolitionist movement.
Over time, “O Holy Night” spread across the world, becoming one of the most cherished Christmas hymns in both its original French and English forms. It has been performed by countless artists in various languages, solidifying its status as a timeless classic.
The lyrics of “O Holy Night” focus on the sacred and transformative night of Jesus Christ’s birth. The song emphasizes the arrival of the Savior, bringing hope and salvation to a fallen world. The lyrics describe the “thrill of hope” that comes with Christ’s birth. The call to “fall on your knees” reflects humility, reverence, and worship. It encourages listeners to acknowledge and celebrate the significance of Christ’s incarnation. The line about breaking chains and ending oppression highlights the transformative power of Christ’s message. This aligns with Christian teachings of justice, love, and freedom for all people.
“O Holy Night” was the first song ever broadcast on the radio. On December 24, 1906, Canadian inventor Reginald Fessenden played a violin rendition and sang the song during a historic radio transmission. It has been recorded by numerous artists across genres, including opera singers, pop stars, and choirs. Iconic versions include renditions by artists like Mariah Carey, Josh Groban, and Nat King Cole. As I said above, Mahalia Jackson’s version is my favorite, and Andrea Bocelli does a superb job in the original French. I apologize if there is a better French version, but I am not very familiar with many French singers. Regardless of who sings it or in what language, the song’s universal message of peace, hope, and redemption continues to resonate with people around the world during the Christmas season. “O Holy Night” is a song with a deep spiritual message, a rich historical background, and an enduring impact on Christmas traditions. It’s beautiful lyrics and melody continue to inspire awe and reverence for the meaning of Christmas.
Early one May at the North Pole, one of Santa’s reindeer gave birth to a little reindeer. When the little reindeer stood for the first time, he fell forward, directly into a pile of glitter meant for Santa’s toy shop. Everybody laughed at the little fella when he stood back up on shaky legs and his nose was covered in glitter. His mother decided then that she would name the boy Glitzen a portmanteau of her father Blitzen’s name and the glitter he fell into. As Glitzen began to grow, everyone noticed that his nose continued to sparkle. It seemed he never could get rid of all that glitter that was his first encounter in this world.
All the boy reindeers used to laugh and call him names. Glitzen knew he was different. Instead of playing reindeer games with the other bucks, he preferred to prance and dance around with the does. He always had a great time with the young does, and he always felt more conformable with them. They never laughed and called him names, and he always seemed to have the best ideas on how to make the does more fabulous. Glitzen had a natural instinct for fashion and decorating. He knew just how to make anyone, and everything seem more fabulous. The young bucks refused to have anything to do with him. His parents loved him, but his father was always a little embarrassed by his son. His mother knew her son was different, but she loved how confident he was in himself, even when the other reindeer bullied him.
One year, the world seemed especially gloomy. A pandemic had swept over the Earth. Santa’s elves just didn’t have the spark they usually had. The toys didn’t sparkle, and the wrapped packages were drab. Santa was so disappointed, but he understood that when the world was gloomy, the North Pole was always gloomy as well. Everything in Santa’s Village at the North Pole fed on the energy of the world. When the world was unhappy, Santa’s Village was unhappy too. Santa was blue too, but he tried to keep his spirits up for all those at the North Pole. Santa decided to walk around his Village to try to cheer everyone up and maybe get some spark back around the place.
As Santa walked around, he noticed that the reindeer were not playing any games, just moping around. The elves had no pep in their work making toys, and it showed with the toys they were making. As Santa continued to walk around, he heard laughter and singing from somewhere. Santa immediately perked up because someone was obviously having fun. Santa followed the sound to see where the joy was coming from. He entered the barn to see a fabulous sight, a group of young reindeer were dancing and singing. It looked like they were being led by a young reindeer with glitter on his nose and a string of lights in his antlers. The young buck’s bells were making the most wonderous noise, and all seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Santa said, “Everyone outside and in the toy shop was so gloomy, what happened in here to make everyone so festive?” All of the reindeer just laughed and pointed to Glitzen. Santa said, “Glitzen, my boy, how are you able to be so cheerful when everyone else is so gloomy?”
Glitzen looked at Santa and said, “Santa, we can’t all be gloom and doom. Someone has to get the Spirit of Christmas in the air. A little glitter, some lights, and bells can make the world a bit merrier again. I just wanted to show everyone that we need a little Christmas right now.” Then, Glitzen began to sing:
Haul out the holly Put up the tree before my spirit falls again Fill up the stocking I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.
For we need a little Christmas, right this very minute Candles in the window, carols at the spinet Yes, we need a little Christmas, right this very minute Hasn't snowed a single flurry, but Santa dear we're in a hurry.
Santa joined in singing:
I need to climb down the chimney Turn on the brightest string of lights I've ever seen Slice up the fruit cake It's time we've hung some tinsel on the evergreen bough.
Before anyone realized what was going on, the cheer seen in the barn had spread throughout the North Pole. Everyone began to sing:
For I've grown a little leaner, grown a little colder Grown a little sadder, grown a little older And I need a little angel sitting on my shoulder Need a little Christmas now
For we need a little music, need a little laughter Need a little singing ringing through the rafter And we need a little snappy, happy ever after We need a little Christmas now.
When the song died down, Santa said, “Yes, we do need a little Christmas now. Glitzen thank you for bringing Christmas cheer back to the North Pole. We need to spread this through the whole world. Glitzen, can you do two things for me?”
Glitzen said, “I’ll do anything I can Santa. What do you need me to do?”
“Glitzen, I need you to help get the elves and the other reindeer in the Christmas spirit again,” said Santa. “Then, on Christmas Eve when I go out to deliver presents to all the boys and girls, I need you to spread this Christmas spirit around the world. People may be on lockdown or quarantined. They may be away from their family for the first time, but they need to know that the joy of the Christmas season can still be felt. We can’t let this pandemic get us down. Will you do that for me, Glitzen?”
Glitzen nodded his head, and he and the girls began to go around covering everything with glitter and tinsel. They sang Christmas songs to get everyone back in the mood for a joyous Christmas. All of the young reindeer, including the young bucks who’d made fun of Glitzen, got into the spirit. The elves had their spark back and the toys shone with glee. The packages they wrapped under Glitzen’s direction were some of the most fabulous to ever come from the North Pole.
On Christmas Eve, Glitzen led Santa’s sleigh spreading glitter and joy throughout the world. While the world still woke up to a pandemic on Christmas Day and many were still separated from each other, there was a new cheer in the world, a fabulousness that it thought it had lost. The Christmas lights on the trees seemed to sparkle just a little more brightly that morning. The tinsel seemed to almost glow on the trees. People went to their windows and threw open the sash. They all sang in unison, no matter their language. They sang “Santa Baby,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “All I Want for Christmas is You.” It was a gay old time and the most fabulous Christmas anyone could imagine.
Santa and all the reindeer congratulated Glitzen on not only being the most fabulous reindeer of all, but for making it the most fabulous Christmas of all.
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
May you all have a fabulous Christmas, too, and if you wake up with a bit of glitter everywhere, then maybe Glitzen has been with Santa to your house this year.
P.S. I know this is a silly story, and I posted it once before a few years ago. However, I wanted to add a few illustrations to it this year. The story came about because I was listening to “Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer” on the radio, and I thought of the words, “All of the other reindeer / Used to laugh and call him names / They never let poor Rudolph / Join in any reindeer games.” How many of us growing up as little gay boys had others laugh and call us names? How many of us were never allowed to join others in their games? Rudolph could have been many of us growing up, but instead of having a red shiny nose, ours was a metaphorical glittery nose. We are all fabulous in our own way, and it’s time we recognize just how fabulous Christmas is because of all the gay people out there.
I did something I have never done with a post before and used all AI created images. It’s amazing what ChatGPT can come up with when you ask the right questions.
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.
— Matthew 2:9-11
Christmas is a season full of movement. The nativity story itself is a tapestry of journeys. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. The shepherds hurried from their fields to the manger. The magi traversed faraway lands, following a star. Even the angels traveled from the realms of heaven to proclaim, “Glory to God in the highest!”
I am currently somewhere in the air between Burlington and Philadelphia, or at least I hope I am. I scheduled this post a few days ago. I’m on my way to see family for Christmas. I would say, I am going home, but Vermont is my home now and has been for a while. Alabama is where my family is and where I grew up. One of the popular classic Christmas songs is “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” It’s a song that stirs memories of connection, love, and the longing for home—a place where we are seen, cherished, and known. But what does it mean to be home for Christmas, especially for those of us in the LGBTQ+ community? For some, home is a place of comfort and joy. For others, like me, it can be a complicated memory or even a wound. And for many, home is something we have had to build ourselves—choosing love, creating family, and shaping spaces where we are celebrated for who we are.
Many of you may be traveling this week, whether home, to visit family, or taking a Christmas vacation. Travel is central to this season. And, in some ways, we are all traveling. Whether literally—on crowded roads, in bustling airports—or metaphorically—on personal journeys of faith, healing, or rediscovery—this time of year reminds us that life is a pilgrimage. But traveling isn’t easy, is it? Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem was grueling. The shepherds left their flocks, stepping into uncertainty. The magi followed a distant light, navigating unfamiliar terrain. Each journey was fraught with challenges, but each was also guided by a deeper purpose. Their journeys were not just about the destination but about transformation. And the same is true for us.
Traveling often takes us out of our comfort zones. I’m afraid of flying, though I have gotten better as I have had to fly more often in the past ten years. Sometimes, we travel to new and unfamiliar places, and it can really take us out of our comfort zone if we are alone in our travels. But it can also be a liberating experience. We can be more ourselves in a strange place because no one we know are there. Whether the travels we take are literally journey, or the spiritual path we’re on, there’s uncertainty in leaving what we know. Some of us may feel like Mary and Joseph, carrying heavy burdens on a road we didn’t choose. Others may feel like the magi, searching for something we can’t yet name.
Sometimes the path feels lonely, or the way forward unclear. Yet the story of Christmas reminds us that God walks with us. Whether we are weary travelers like Mary and Joseph or seekers like the magi, God does not abandon us on the road. However, remember what Psalm 121:7-8 says, “The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” The magi had the star to guide them—a beacon of hope, a sign that they were on the right path. We, too, have light for our journeys. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
The light for our journey might come in the form of Scripture, prayer, or the love of our community. God’s light might come through moments of unexpected grace—a kind word, a door opened, a heart softened. Even when the road feels dark, God places stars in our lives to remind us that we are not lost. John 8:12 tells us, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” The magi didn’t know exactly where their journey would take them, but they trusted the star. In Matthew 2:2, the magi said to Herod, “We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When they finally arrived to find Jesus, their trust was rewarded with joy.
When we think about the Christmas story, it’s easy to focus on the stable as the destination. But the true destination was not the place—it was the presence of Christ. In 1 John 1:5, we are told, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” This is what all our traveling leads to: encountering the divine. Matthew 28:20 says, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Whether your journey is one of faith, reconciliation, healing, or self-discovery, the promise of Christmas is that God is waiting for you, not at some distant destination, but in the very heart of your journey.
When the magi arrived, they were overjoyed—not because the road had been easy, but because they found what they were searching for. In Christ, they found the fulfillment of their hopes and the embodiment of God’s love. This Christmas, I encourage you to reflect on the journey you’re on. Where are you headed? What are you seeking? And where might God be calling you to take the next step? Jesus tells the disciples in Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” We don’t have to go our preaching on the street corners to spread the word of Christ, we just need to live in the way Christ commands us to and follow his example of love and kindness. All of our journeys are different. Perhaps your journey is toward forgiveness. Maybe it’s toward reconnection with family or friends. It could be about rediscovering your faith or offering love to someone in need. Wherever your journey takes you, know this: God is with you every step of the way. Christ came to dwell among us so that no road would ever be traveled alone. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
And as we travel, we are also called to be like the magi—to bring our gifts to Christ and to the world. What gifts can you bring this season? A listening ear? A kind word? A helping hand? Every gift, no matter how small, becomes sacred when offered in love. Christmas reminds us that the journey matters as much as the destination. Like the magi, we are all travelers, seeking the light. We will find joy—not in perfection or ease, but in the presence of Christ, who meets us right where we are. So, take heart on your journey. Follow the light, trust the road, and know that joy awaits.
