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When first introduced, the Viennese waltz was considered scandalous. Prior to the waltz, dancers were not in close proximity with just one person. The hands were the only part of the body that came in contact with each other. Partners didn’t face one another nor did they allow themselves to be held in someone’s arms. The music of the Strauss family, however, did much to end this. Their beautiful waltzes broke through the barriers of convention and the waltz became one of the most popular dances in the world. Much later a song that is titled the Christmas Waltz was to enchant us. This hauntingly beautiful melody composed by Jules Styne and lyrics by Sammy Cahn gave the people another waltz to enjoy. While it doesn’t deal with the religious season that is Christmas, it delivers a special joy all its own. The recording of this song by singers such as Andy Williams and Frank Sinatra provides us with a chance to dance the Christmas waltz, if only in our hearts. The Christmas season in the beginning was strictly about the Christian beliefs, bringing about the effort to rid the world of pagan rituals. When the idea of merriment came to the Christmas season we began to see more waltz songs. The Christmas waltz song soon became accepted as an important part of the holiday season. As with the acceptance of the original waltz people realised that not everything had to have a religious connotation. The belief in the spirit of love, giving and charitable acts is the strongest at the holidays. When people get together at Christmastime to decorate and exchange gifts, there will be songs like the Christmas waltz playing in the background. We have realised that Christianity and joviality can be combined to bring peace and joy alive.
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