I recommend turning on the PBS special A Renaissance Christmas, but I don’t recommend watching it.
The special features some of the most beautiful music ever written. But see the pretty picture? 
That’s pretty much it visually. Trust me, there are darned few adults, let alone kids, who are going to sit still watching that.
That being said, this is music you want to expose your kids to. And it’s pretty and relaxing. If you’re of European Christian ancestry, it’s part of your history. So check your local listings for the times, or better yet, just put it on your DVR. Then decorate the tree while it’s on. Or pipe in the soundtrack while you’re making cookies. Or play a board game together. Or make Christmas gifts.
It’s one of those rare shows you can have on in the background and the kids will get that classical (or historical) music is something cool. If they have to sit still through some boring, stuffy concert, not going to happen. But if it’s a regular part of their everyday lives, like reading aloud together and connecting as a family, then they’ll be comfortable enough with it that when it’s time to take them to stuffy concerts, they’ll be able to appreciate it.
And if you do want to watch it, it’s pretty soothing. Kind of like watching fish in an aquarium.
Anne Louise Bannon
Your Family Viewer
