Spotify recently announced that Feliz Navidad is in their TOP TEN List of most-streamed Holiday tracks of all time. “In a million years,” Jose Feliciano said he “Never would have dreamed that little song would be so well-loved.” Yet, it comes with an obligation and somewhat of a surrender…
Today happens to be the feast of Candlemas, the 40th day after Christmas. So what? Not everyone realizes that the the Holiday Season officially ends with a feast called Candlemas, where Christians celebrate the Presentation of the Lord, representing the Light of the World.
The Feliciano Family take that in mind and this is why:
While everybody digs into to their preparations and celebrations for Christmas even before Thanksgiving Day we, on the other hand, are immersed in our own pre-Feliz Navidad agenda: interviews and events, promoters, travel arrangements, back-to-back concerts, flight delays…’tis the season.
Therefore, there is no place for holiday parties, Christmas recitals or films to attend, let alone decorating, shopping and sending Christmas cards. Even this, our Holiday Message of affection to you is teetering on the edge, so to speak, hanging on to the final moments the holiday season. Merry Chridtmas, by the way.
This year was characteristic in that Jose and his band took their distinctive Feliz Navidad vibe from coast to coast; from California to Rhode Island, yet upon their return home, Jose abruptly found himself in hospital; with double pneumonia, three days before Christmas!
Certainly a different Christmas crescendo, it was hardly expected and even a bit melancholy, at times. But there was a bit of Christmas beauty even in this disinfected ‘venue’ when Jose found himself engaging with doctors on duty, their aides and staff and patients with their family and visitors who would have probably preferred being elsewhere, but whose spirits were lifted for having been given an unlikely opportunity to be with ‘Mr. Jose Feliz Navidad,’ himself, especially at this time of year.
In looking back now, while thankfully, safely at home, we’ve come to appreciate those unlikely moments of peace, acceptance, gratitude with the anticipation of another exuberant year ahead. With the publishing and release of Jose’s long-awaited life story later in the year (in celebration of his 80th birthday), Feliz Navidad is already big on our calendar with projects and events slated for 2025!
So, let the party continue …
Commenti