you better watch out...

I'm not, as Big Brother suggests, trying to make a big deal about the lyrics of a song. Rather I'm trying to use these lyrics as a springboard for a critique of Christmas... And since I've tried to hint at the way Christmas makes palatable many of the basic tenants of the Christian religion, the critique is aimed more broadly. Miller, the song's first verse is actually: You better watch out, You better not cry, You better not pout, I'm telling you why... Pretty sinister if you ask me. You better not misbehave little boy or girl... or else! Santa Clause's list brings the story of the judgement into our homes every year in a very real way for children. Hopefully in a happy way, but the missive is powerful nonetheless: You better behave, you are in the panopticon, and there are consequences.