Christmas: Jesus and Dylan
Bob Dylan's Christmas Album
Dylan has received a lot of attention from from this CD, both
praise and criticism. Judge for yourself. The album is called Christmas In The Heart.
Bob's U.S. royalties (present and future) from it will be donated to Feeding America. At
least four million meals will be provided to feed more than 1.4 million
needy people in United States during the holidays. Enjoy the riotous
video below, Must Be
Santa, from this CD.
Jesus and Dylan
Why are people surprised at a Bob Dylan Christmas album? Dylan was born Jewish and he has embraced Judaism. Yet, he has also referred to Jesus throughout the years. Even before 1979, Dylan was obviously curious about Christianity, making numerous direct references to Jesus or Christ, and inferring a messiah on dozens of additional occasions.
An Amazing Statement
For three years (1979-1981), Dylan sang primarily about Christianity. Larry Norman, the father of Christian music (who died in 2008 at age 60), made some interesting comments about Dylan. When Norman started singing, most Christian leaders rebelled against his type of Jesus music. Norman's response was, "Why should the devil have all the good music?"
Norman was asked in 1986 about Christian singers. He responded, “Bob Dylan's Slow Train Coming is the best Christian album ever recorded. I've certainly never written anything that says as much.” Larry Norman had written hundreds of songs, and had been recording Christian music for almost thirty years, but he rated Dylan's songwriting above his. Such genuine humility and honesty is rare.
Larry Norman further said, "I wish every Christian who likes modern Gospel music would buy a copy of Slow Train. Then they'd have an idea of what Christian music is capable of communicating."
Some might argue, "Dylan does not sing Christian music anymore." Absolutely. He sings about life, joy and pain, and everything between. Yet, his songs have not been void of Christian imagery. Since 1981, probably half of his songs contain remnants of his Jesus period, though mostly subtle. (A reference list is available upon request.)
A Question and an Answer
Again, why are people surprised at a Bob Dylan Christmas album? Many performers have produced Christmas albums and no one says anything about it, though these entertainers never mention Jesus or Christianity otherwise. Yet, why be surprised at a Bob Dylan Christmas album (with his long fascination with Christ) and not be surprised at other secular entertainers (with absolutely no history of referring to Christ)?
Perhaps it's because Bob Dylan remains an enigma for most mortals, his Bobness is in a category all his own, unlike the rest. So never be surprised when some are surprised at a Bob Dylan anything.
"best Christian album ever"
Slow Train Coming Videos
Listen to songs from Slow Train Coming and decide whether you agree with Larry Norman's evaluation: Slow Train is the best Christian album ever recorded. For videos of Dylan gospel, go to Gospel: The Jesus Years.
