With only fourteen days left on the Advent calendar, we can
officially say CHRISTMAS IS COMING—and it’s coming on FAST!
In my home—a house full of church musicians!—fourteen days
means only two more weeks to get all the choir music learned and polished. Two
more concerts and three added performances with our local chorale. And
somewhere in there, I’ll finish my shopping and plan the food for our
traditional post-Christmas Eve worship gathering.
Personally, I like Christmas, even though it’s just about
the craziest, busiest time of the year in our home. I love the music, the way
people seem to smile more, how strangers wish you a good day or Merry Christmas
just because you pass them in the grocery store aisle.
Christmas is also my favorite time of the year for the hymns
and songs we sing. Old favorites like Silent Night, Angels
We Have Heard on High and Jingle
Bells, to some new ones you’d probably not recognize—like Mrs. Claus and Jumble Bells, a pig-Latin version of the old standard.
Do you like
Christmas? Why? What is it about this season that you love? What is it that
says “it’s almost Christmas” to you?
From my home to yours, may you have a very blessed & merry Christmas!
Tracy
Stille Nacht,
heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Silent night, holy
night,
All is calm, all
is bright.
Round yon Virgin
Mother and child
Holy infant, so
tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly
peace.
And may your busy music filled days be fun and full of love Tracy. Doris
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed season, Doris. And send some of that snow our way, would you?
DeleteI've been playing Christmas music since the 1st of December. I have some Celtic Christmas music playing right now.
ReplyDeleteThe only other person in my family who plays an instrument or sings is my great niece, Madeline. I'm going to her Christmas recital this evening. She plays violin.
It must be so much fun to have an entire family involved in music.
In answer to your question; I think I like the "idea" of Christmas more than Christmas itself. I used to love the hustle and bustle, the exciting secrets, and wrapping gifts, but in my older years, it feels stressful and somehow a bit sad. I think it brings up memories of those we've lost in our family and expectations of "The perfect story book Christmas" is too high.
When I was a kid I loved the Christmas Carol "We Three Kings." I had a fascination of those 3 kings...inexplicably. As an adult, I have grown to love "Oh Holy Night" and "What Child is This" the best. They have wonderful and special memories attached to them for me.
This was a lovely post, Tracy. I wish you a very happy Christmas.
Those are some of my favorite songs, too. Merry Christmas, Sarah!
DeleteI enjoy the Christmas season because it seems to bring a kinder, more gentle atmosphere. Even strangers smile and speak to each other in public places. And it brings a closer relationship to family members.The hectic pace between Thanksgiving and New years is sometimes overwhelming but worth the joy. I wish you and your family a lovely Christmas.
ReplyDeleteTracy, I think if I was more involved in Christmas activities, I would look forward to it more--I miss having the kids home and their anticipation as children do--but my hubby says I'm a "big ol' 4th grader" when it comes to Christmas, even now.
ReplyDeleteI have not put my tree up yet--I used to put it up on Thanksgiving, or the day after. This year, I'm probably only going to have a small 2 foot tree. And hopefully I can get Gary to put the garland on the staircase -- I love that more than about anything because it lights up and I hang the stockings on the banister.
My dad's favorite Christmas song was What Child is This? He'd come in sometimes when I was doing my piano practice and say, "Cheryl, play Greensleeves for me." Brings back fond memories. My mom loved all the Christmas songs, but I think her favorite was O Holy Night. My very favorite one now is Silent Night, but growing up I loved We Three Kings. I think probably because that tune was in a minor key, then switched to major, etc. Lots of changes and they seemed to "go" with the words.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Tracy! I know you'll be busy but that's a good thing, during these holidays!
Thank you, Cheryl. We have years where decorating is the furthest thing from our minds, and others, like this one, where we started decorating right after the turkey was consumed. lol
DeleteI love to sing Silent Night, though I usually tear up halfway through. Merry Christmas!!!
With no small children and all family groups far, far away, our Christmas will be very quiet.with our daughter and her husband to share a meal with us to be it. That's fine. We're older enough to have many memories which is good enough for us. I do love the music programs at church. Those usually "make" my Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your memories...I appreciate the thoughts.
Merry Christmas, Celia!
DeleteI love Christmas music! Unfortunately, we don't have any way to play it upstairs without using headphones. :( My favorite is Carol of the Bells and O Holy Night (especially Tennessee Ernie Ford's version).
ReplyDelete"Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells..." I remember how long it too me to get those words right the first time I sang Carol of the Bells. lol Thanks for the memory, Jacquie! Merry Christmas!
DeleteTracy,
ReplyDeleteMy holiday decorating is meager without kids at home. I do put up a small Christmas tree. I love the lights during the holiday season. For Christmas music, I enjoy Celtic Woman, and Celine Dion's rendition of O Holy Night is wonderful.