It comes from “Red” and “Off” because they wanted to stop anyone from having any fun at Christmas, (they never let poor Rudolf join in any reindeer games).
So pubs were closed, all businesses shut but the redlight districts were illegitimate businesses.
They stayed open with their lights on.
The people in power wanted them closed and the red lights off.
The song was a subtle hint, but it didn’t work.
So they made prostitution illegal in many countries for not taking a break at Christmas when families should be together.
Red light district. Never turns ‘off’.
It comes from “Red” and “Off” because they wanted to stop anyone from having any fun at Christmas, (they never let poor Rudolf join in any reindeer games). So pubs were closed, all businesses shut but the redlight districts were illegitimate businesses. They stayed open with their lights on.
The people in power wanted them closed and the red lights off.
The song was a subtle hint, but it didn’t work. So they made prostitution illegal in many countries for not taking a break at Christmas when families should be together.
It also means other things (search the etymology of Rudolf/Rudolph)
But I think the version that I just made up is better.