Why is there so much yearning in Christmas songs?

By Milton Guevara

Published December 24, 2025 at 4:49 AM EST

From Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" to John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," there's a lot of yearning in Christmas songs. But why?

Milton Guevara

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

30 years ago, 'Waiting to Exhale' was the blockbuster Hollywood didn't anticipate

Carole V. Bell

The 1995 adaptation of Terry McMillan's novel celebrated the beauty of Black sisterhood.
Justice Department releases more Epstein files. Some of them mention Trump

Sarah McCammon, Steve Inskeep

The Justice Department released a new batch of files Tuesday related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that contained hundreds of references to President Trump.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., on lawmakers demanding more Epstein files be released

Leila Fadel

NPR's Leila Fadel asks Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna of California about lawmakers' demands that the Justice Department release more files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
NPR News

In the snow, these salamanders get supercool

Nell Greenfieldboyce

Blue spotted salamanders have been seen walking across snow and new research suggests how they get by in the cold.
NPR News

When porch pirates steal medicine instead of holiday gifts

Sydney Lupkin

Mail theft can happen around the holidays, but sometimes, instead of getting a new iPad, the thief swipes a mail order medicine. Here's what to do about it.