Actually, instead of doing my own round-up I’m just going to refer you to Fred Bals’ summary of various reports on the potential Bob Dylan Christmas album that may (I do hope) be coming our way later in the year.

One thing not mentioned by Fred is that there have been a number of reports from people who have heard Dylan and his band playing Christmas tunes during concert tour sound-checks. This is not just recently, but going back some years, indeed to the Larry Campbell/Charlie Sexton era. So this project has apparently been in the works — or at least in Bob’s head — for a long time.

Another thing worth noting is the fact that Bob Dylan’s release of a Christmas album might reawaken the whole discussion of the nature of his religious faith. Some of the press reports on this story quickly pointed out that well known Jewish entertainers like Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand have also recorded Christmas albums — the implication being that it was only for commercial reasons. (Of-course I personally have no idea what Neil and Barbra’s private religious beliefs are but no matter.) And the great songwriter Irving Berlin, also a Jew, wrote White Christmas. And (best of all perhaps) who can forget Jack Benny’s Christmas-themed radio shows? (Check out some at this link.)

So on one level Christmas can be looked at as a secular cultural occasion that can be celebrated in some form by non-Christians too. And no doubt there are many out there who much prefer the Santa Claus myth over what they see as the Jesus myth.

If Dylan were just recording Santa-type songs then it should hardly make anyone blink. (He writes in Chronicles about how he loved Hibbing at Christmastime.) If, on the other hand, he has recorded (as reported) a song like O Little Town of Bethlehem, then people will debate whether this means he’s “gone Christian” again or what. And the only thing that’s certain is that people will come up with all kinds of rationalizations in order to reach whatever conclusions they wish. I don’t have much appetite at this point for debates over whether Dylan is currently a practicing Jew or a Christian. I think that he’s made his own kind of peace with all that and it’s his choice to ever explain it or not. All kinds of people can find spiritual sustenance and meaning in his songs (which is not say that they are vague and “feel-good” songs but that they are rooted in truth and truth is always a comforting thing for people who are seeking truth).

But arguments to the effect that Bob is an atheist or a cynic are ones that will never be tolerated around here. Not because atheists can’t be good and worthy people, but because if Bob were an atheist it would of necessity mean that he was also a cynic, and a terrible one, for grounding his entire body of work upon an awareness and respect for God while not actually meaning any of it.

That would certainly get him crossed off of Santa’s list. But the notion is so absurd and perverse that the amazing thing is that it ever gets considered. We shall see what we shall see come this Yuletide season of 2009.

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