Writing a modern Christmas song is a harrowing task. Most songwriters take one of two routes: You can be sappy and overly precious, or you can be irreverent and cynical. The best songwriters, however, are able to combine the promise and wonder of the Christmas season with the crushing weight of modern life: war, loss of faith, addiction and so on. Just see Stevie Wonder's "One Little Christmas Tree," and the Pogues' "Fairytale of New York" for two... More >>>