I may have just the antidote to all that false cheer - sad Christmas songs. For starters, here's Judy Garland singing to Margaret O'Brien and bringing tears to the wee tyke's eyes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g4lY8Y3eoo

Then try the original Bing Crosby recording of I'll Be Home for Christmas, forever associated with homesick soldiers. I like this one set to a surrealistic, Guy Maddenesque video of Canadian home movies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g4lY8Y3eoo

Traditional carols also have their moments, above all the Coventry Carol with its haunting Picardy thirds at the end of each heartwrenching verse. Hard to find a good combination of sound and image, but there's this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g4lY8Y3eoo

"And in despair I bowed my head. "There is no peace on earth," I said, "for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men." Longfellow, embittered by family tragedy, finds hope in the bells.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-EfxNj2oIQ

Oh, I could go on and on. I think the melancholy Christmas songs are actually my favorites.

PS: You've seen the symphonic arrangement of 4'33", I hope? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUJagb7hL0E