does geldof get it right?

As I write this, I’m listening to “Do They Know It’s Christmas (Feed The World),” the eighties Band Aid classic. It’s Christmas Eve after all.

It’s also fitting because, as I’m sure you all know, this song was written and recorded to raise money to feed the people of Ethiopia during the awful famine of that decade.

Those of you that know me well know that I love this song. It means Christmas to me, just as much as wrapping gifts, watching “A Very Brady Christmas” and creating a holiday ensemble with ribbons and bows as we open presents on Christmas Eve.

So as I sit in Africa – in Ethiopia — I’m listening to the words carefully and reflecting on my presence on this great continent. Maybe those words Bob Geldof wrote (and sung by the likes of Boy George, Bono, Sting, George Michael, and Simon LeBon) all those many years ago say it all. Or do they?

It’s Christmas time, there’s no need to be afraid
At Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade

And in our world of plenty, we should spread a smile of joy!
Throw your arms around the world at christmas time
But say a prayer – pray for the other ones
At Christmas time, it’s hard but when your having fun
There’s a world outside your window
And it’s a world of dread and fear

Where the only water flowing is a bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom

Well tonight thank God it’s them instead of you
And there won’t be snow in africa this Christmas time
The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life

Where nothing ever grows
No rain or rivers flow

Do they know it’s Christmas time at all?

Here’s to you raise a glass for everyone
Here’s to them underneath the burning sun
Do they know it’s Christmas time at all?

Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmas time and
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmas time
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmas time

 So, maybe they don’t say it all. I mean, things do grow here. Lots of things. And the Blue Nile River starts just down the road from here. I know, I’ve seen it. Also, I’m sure there’s snow in Africa somewhere. Like in the mountains. Sure, it’s 85 degrees in Bahir Dar and I’ll be tanning by the pool a little later today, but still. There’s snow somewhere.

Photographic evidence that rivers do indeed flow in Africa.

A world of dread and fear? Bitter sting of tears? Clanging chimes of doom? Wow, that’s depressing. But I guess when you’re trying to raise money you have to paint a bleak picture. And I’m sure things were bleak for those starving and suffering.

The greatest gift we all get this year is life, no? That’s not just specific to Africans or Ethiopians. I can also attest to the fact that they know it’s Christmas time as evidenced by the fact that yesterday multiple people asked me if the packages I had just picked up from the post office were Christmas gifts (thanks, Heather, Adam, and Lalko!).

The song does get some things right, though. It’s Christmas time and there’s no need to be afraid. And we should let in light and banish shade. I like that. Optimism is good.

So as I experience my first Christmas in Africa I think I’ll embrace the lyrics closest to my heart:

And in our world of plenty, we should spread a smile of joy! Throw your arms around the world at Christmas time!

Happy Christmas and Merry New Year! (Did I get that right, Bono?)

Stay tuned for next Christmas’ post featuring John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Happy Christmas (War is Over)”

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