Songs of The Season: O Holy Night.

I've heard O Holy Night dozens of times, but never had I paid attention to the words until a couple of years ago.  I remember sitting in my old office, working away.  I had Christmas carols playing in the background.  The music started for O Holy Night, and midway through the first stanza, I heard the following line,

"Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth..." 

A spiritual light bulb went off.   

So often, Christmas becomes a parade of presents, a festivity of food, and an explosion of decorations.  Most of us, intentional or not, forget about the true meaning of Christmas.  We don't forget about family and friends, or spending the holidays with loved ones.  And most of us don't forget about the spirit of selflessness and giving.  We see the manger scenes in passing, and don't give them a second thought.  We sing Away In The Manger and Silent Night, but the words are just words.  We don't really read them or take time to grasp their full meaning. 

Many years ago, a Child named Jesus came into the world who's very existence changed everything.  In the centuries following that holy night, millions of lives have been touched, souls saved, bodies healed, and hearts changed.  He was born to teach, to love, to show, to save, and ultimately to die.  Before His birth, the world didn't know love or joy ... hope or peace.  It wasn't until that glorious night, that our souls felt their worth.  A tiny baby with a humble birth changed it all. 

I challenge you to seek out the Truth this Christmas -- you'll be blessed. 

Happy Christmas!

Songs of The Season: The Night Before Christmas.

The words, "the night before Christmas", are usually followed by "...and all through the house.  Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse..."  Right?  Isn't that what you were expecting?  Don't lie...you know you were.

A couple of years ago, a singer/songwriter took those four words and gave them a new meaning.  Brandon Heath's The Night Before Christmas is one of my favorite modern Christmas tunes.  One line says,

"We were so lost on Earth, no peace, no worth, no way to escape.  

In fear, no faith, no hope, no grace, and no light, but that was the night before Christmas."  

His message is how we, as a people, were hopeless and lost before the birth of Christ.  It's such a beautiful twist on a classic Christmas tale.  The words speak for themselves...

The Night Before Christmas

Empty manger, perfect stranger about to be born.

Into darkness, sadness, desperate madness, creation so torn.

We were so lost on Earth, no peace, no worth, no way to escape.

In fear, no faith, no hope, no grace and no light.

But that was the night before Christmas.

Warm hay, cold sweat; a mother, not yet.

Praying Godspeed the dawn.

She looks to her man, holding her hand. 

They wonder how long.

And the shepherds, wise men come to find them

And bow to a King. 

One star above shining on Love, 

So bright it lit up the night before Christmas.

And the world didn't know mercy was meek and so mild.

And the world didn't know that truth was as pure as a child.

The night before Christmas.

The night before Christmas.

And the world didn't know redemption was sweet and so strong. 

And the world didn't know salvation was writing a song.

The night before Christmas.

The night before Christmas.

Songs of The Season: While You Were Sleeping.

It's a rainy Monday here in Florida.  The weather has gradually gotten cooler since this morning, and the precipitation has remained a constant drizzle since last night.  Normally I love the rain - I would gladly take gloomy, cloudy days over sunshine almost any day.  But today?  Not so much.  I'm not sure why today is any different, but it is. 

A couple weeks ago, our pastor's sermon was about Christmas, but not in the way you might imagine.  He didn't speak of shepherds watching their flocks by night, or the three wisemen traveling from afar.  Nor did he speak of the tiny Baby in a manger, or the star over Bethlehem.  Instead his message leaned more toward our need, as a society, for stuff.  We thrive on stuff.  We want stuff.  We buy stuff.  We accumulate so much stuff that we have to get rid of that stuff in order to make room for new stuff.  Stuff, stuff, stuff.  When is enough stuff enough?  Why do we continually try to fill a void - spiritual, emotional, psychological - with stuff?  We're all guilty of it in some way, at some point.

After hearing those words, I haven't looked at people or stuff the same way.  My drive to Christmas shop is somehow tainted.  I look around and see sad faces that reflect empty lives and hurting hearts.  I sometimes wonder where the hope is for these people, but at the same time I wonder when some of them will reach out to the Hope that has been there all along. 

Today's song somehow fits.  I get choked up every time I hear it.  But through the emotions, the words always make me stop and think.  Such a powerful message for a world of hurting people. 

Songs of The Season: I Need A Silent Night.

Being a full time working mom and wife is hard.  It's tiring, and leaves you with little time (and energy) for yourself.  My days start early and end late.  The alarm sounds at 6:04am (no, I don't know what the random :04 is about, but that's what time it goes off), and I'm lucky to be in bed before 11:00pm most nights. 

We get up, get breakfast put together, get a groggy little girl up, dressed, teeth brushed, makeup on, diapers changed, grab all of our crap, and we're out the door.  I put in my eight hours, swing by and pick G up from the nanny's house, rush home, start dinner, clean up after dinner, pack lunches, scoop litter boxes, get G bathed and in bed, and usually by about 9:00pm, I can relax for a few minutes before completely zonking out on the couch only to awake an hour or more later and realize I still have to shower.  Oy vey.  As if a regular work week isn't draining enough, when you add the holidays into the mix, it's like a double whammy. 

I've heard today's song of the season dozens of times.  I've liked it since the first time I heard it, because I can relate.  This year, I Need A Silent Night seemed to take on a different meaning.  With all the hustle and bustle of every day life, and the added impact of the Christmas season, I just need a break.  And chances are, you're probably nodding your head in agreement because you need a break too.  December tends to get shorter every year.  College football season starts, then Halloween, Thanksgiving, and before you know it's the day after Christmas and you find yourself standing in a living room full of Christmas remnants wondering where the month went.  It happens every year...but seemingly quicker and more aggressively with each Christmas that comes and goes. 

Personally, I'm trying to make this year different by focusing on what's important -- family, good health, love, and most importantly the birth of our Savior.  If my mind and heart are in the right place, I'm sure my body will follow ... and maybe then, I'll get my silent night. 


Happy Christmas!

Songs of The Season: Carol of The Bells.

Today has been a weird Wednesday for me, and in all honesty, I'm not really up to blogging.   Here I am, though...regardless. 

Today's song of the season is Carol of the Bells - it is my favorite Christmas song of all time.  I've only heard one arrangement of the piece for which I haven't cared.  I'll spare you which one it is just in case it's your favorite rendition ever.  

Everything about the song is beautiful.  It's melody is unique, and it's one of the few Christmas carols that's written in a minor key.  Yes, that's the music major coming out in me.  It's beautiful done acoustically or in an orchestral setting.  And it has words!  I say that only because I'm surprised of the number of people who don't realize it has a chorus.  Because I love this piece so much, I've included two versions of it -- an instrumental version and an acapella piece.  I hope you hear the beauty in both. 

Happy Christmas!

This first one is acapella by Barlow Girl.

This is August Burns Red's instrumental version.

Songs of The Season: Jingle Bell Rock.

I'm a product of the eighties.  Born in 1981, most of the childhood memories I have are late eighties and early nineties.  With childhood comes family, and with family comes traditions - especially at Christmas time. 

Our Christmas traditions usually kick off the day after Thanksgiving.  Up goes the tree.  Christmas lights are twinkling all over the inside and outside of the house.  The TVs and radios are blasting Christmasy sounds to everyone within ear and eye-shot.  Red, green and white is everywhere.  Santa is chillin' on the front porch greeting all who may pass his way.  The lighted deer are resting on the lawn only yards away from the Holy family.  Christmas is in full effect. 

Along with all the decorations, one thing that has always been part of the Christmas season tradition in our family is Christmas movies.  There are certain movies that we watch every year no matter what.  A Charlie Brown Christmas, along with National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation are the top two in our household.  In more recent years I've added a couple more to my personal must-sees.  Home Alone is at the top of that newly revised list.  I rediscovered this classic about four years ago.  That was the first time I had seen it in years, and I didn't realize how funny it was.  Since then, Mr. M and I make a point to watch it every year. 

The sound track to that movie is one of the best.  Bobby Helms version of Jingle Bell Rock is classic.  I can't hear that song without picturing that little blonde haired boy doing his best to protect his home while his family is away.  If you haven't seen the movie recently, I'd highly recommend adding it to your list this year.  But before you do that, take a minute to listen to an old classic...

Happy Christmas! 

Songs of The Season: A Baby Changes Everything.

My sweet baby G...a day old. 

"A baby changes everything." 

It's a common phrase.  Maybe it's been applied to you personally, or possibly you've used it in reference to a friend or family member's situation. When Faith Hill released her song, A Baby Changes Everything, it really hit home for me. 

If you've read the story of me and Mr. M, you know the kind of stuff - racial stuff - we went through while we were dating, and then some.  There was tension from outside sources, along with tension in the family unit - extended family.  Mr. M proposed to me about a week before Christmas in 2006.  I remember that Christmas day...the tension that filled the air when my grandparents arrived for Christmas dinner.  They didn't know yet, but I knew they'd find out about our engagement before the day was over.  I wore the ring he had given me proudly.  They didn't notice.  As we were saying our goodbyes that evening, my mom - bless her heart - took it upon herself to be the "bearer of bad news" as she told Nana (my grandmother) I was engaged.  Mom then proceeded to call me over and force me into showing Nana my ring.  I plopped my hand out and wiggled my fingers to let the diamond catch some sun light.  I didn't get an "Oh, it's beautiful!" or a "Do you have a date picked out?" or even a simple, "Congratulations!".  Her response?  "You've got a long, hard life ahead of you."  I retaliated with, "Life is hard for everybody, so why not spend it with someone you love?"

M and I got married in August of 2007, and found out we were pregnant in May of 2009.  My mom, once again, broke the news to my grandparents.  And instead of excitement or congratulations of some sort, the response again was less than impressive, "Well, I figured it would happen sooner or later."  You'd think I'd be used to these kinds of remarks by now, and although I do ignore them, it still stings.  I remember how crushed I felt when Mom told me what Nana's response was.  I remember fighting back the tears as I told a good friend of mine about what had happened.  She, along with Mom, reassured me that although my grandparents had their issues, "a baby changes everything". 

G was born in January of 2010.  I spent twenty six grueling hours in labor, and at the end, I had a perfectly healthy and absolutely beautiful baby girl.  I was completely exhausted, but when that precious little girl was laid on my chest for the first time, I felt as if I could've run a marathon.  She was wrapped up in blankets, and peeked at me with those chocolate drop eyes.  I melted. 

In that moment, everything changed.  Everything I thought I knew about life, about myself, about relationships, about love was changed indefinitely.  She had changed it all by merely existing.  She didn't have to say a word.  She just had to be.  My world was turned upside down nearly two years ago, and that little brown-eyed girl continues to shake things up every day.  My perspective on life has been completely altered.  I look at everything differently - the sunshine, puppies, flowers, even water puddles left behind after the rain. 

Five years have passed since Mr. M asked for my hand in marriage, and almost two since G took her first breath.  Some people have come around - others haven't.  But with or without them, a baby really does change everything.

Happy Christmas!

Songs of the Season: Winter Snow.

"Man, I wish it would snow." 

Every year in my house, that phrase is uttered at least a dozen times between November and February.  Matter of fact, I just said it to Mr. M as I stumbled upon some beautiful snow scenes via Google.  Unfortunately, we don't get much snow in Florida.  It does get cold, and we do get snow flurries on occasion - believe it or not - but snow in Florida isn't a common occurrence...at all.

Growing up, we were blessed to travel, as I've mentioned in the past, so I have seen my share of snow.  It's funny though, because with all the snow I did get to see as a kid and teenager, I never actually saw snow fall until I was an adult.  As I referenced in my post about road trips a few days ago, in 2002'ish, my parents, and brother and sister and I spent Christmas in Chicago at my aunt and uncle's place.  It was ridiculously cold.  I remember when I first stepped out of the car in Chicago - I can still see it in my head.  We had stopped at a gas station, and we all single-filed ourselves out of the van.  It was freezing, and the wind was piercing.  As a natural born Floridian, I thought I was smart with my hand-me-down fake leather coat, and cheap Walmart gloves.  I was wrong.  No cheap coat or shamefully thin gloves would prepare me for the bitter cold of Chicago.  But, I made do.  We spent close to a week there, and on Christmas Eve it snowed.  I remember me and mom taking my aunt's little dog out for a walk as the snow fell from the sky.  It was the first time I had ever seen snow fall.  It was beautiful.  The thing that fascinated me the most - and still does to this day - is how peaceful the snow is.  Even in the midst of a snow storm, you don't hear the snow crash against the roof, or pour on to your windshield.  It can come with much force, but in near silence.  It's strong, yet gentle.  Mighty, yet serene.  Forceful, yet silent.

I think that's why I love today's song of the season so much.  I've always been quite the traditionalist when it comes to Christmas music, but over the last couple of years, I have really learned to embrace newly composed seasonal tunes.  Audrey Assad is a contemporary Christian artist, and Winter Snow is one of the first songs I ever heard by her.  The words are touching, and give a beautiful depiction of the real meaning behind Christmas.  Please take a moment to listen.

Winter Snow

You could've come like a mighty storm

With all the strength of a hurricane.

You could have come like a forest fire

With the power of Heaven in Your flame.

But You came like a winter snow.

Quiet and soft and slow.

Falling from the sky,

In the night to the earth below.

You could have swept in like a tidal wave,

Or an ocean to ravish our hearts.

You could have come through like a roaring flood

To wipe away the things we've scarred.

But You came like a winter snow.

You were quiet, You were soft, and slow.

Falling from the sky,

In the night to the earth below.

No, Your voice wasn't in a bush burning.

No, Your voice wasn't in a rushing wind.

It was still, it was small, it was hidden.

You came like a winter snow.

Quiet and soft and slow.

Falling from the sky,

In the night to the earth below.

Songs of the Season: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

It's the second day in Songs of the Season.  Yesterday we kicked it off with I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas - something lighthearted to take the edge off of the draining work week and the turkey coma that everyone is finally waking up from.  Today's song of the season is one of my all time favorites.  It's a little on the solemn side, but I love it for it's simplicity.  The melody, the words...it just flows. 

When Mr. M and I were dating, we used to talk a lot about music.  Mainly because we were in a long distance relationship, and knowing which songs each other loved, helped us feel more connected when we'd hear those melodies on the radio.  Sounds silly, I know, and I guess in a way it really is.  But it was our thing, and I always felt a little bit closer to him during those brief moments of air play that were made up of his song. 

Christmases were always a little more special.  While others were wishing for sugar plum fairies and snow-covered lawns, I was always dreaming of the day I'd be able to spend Christmas with him.  It eventually happened...about four years into our relationship, and we've had Christmas together every year since.   

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas was always my song.  It was one of those that he would hear, and his mind would go to me, and vice versa.  To this day, that song still takes me back to our dating days.  The only difference between then and now?  My Christmas wish has finally come true, and now I really can have a merry little Christmas. 

Happy Christmas!

Christmas at the Duckpond.

One angle of the lit pond.

Here in Gainesville, we have a couple of major hospitals.  Shands at UF is the hospital where I was born.  They are a teaching hospital, and one of the top facilities in the country.  We also have North Florida Regional Medical Center.  This is the newer of the two, and also where my little G was born.  They are a great facility, as well, and I especially love their women's group.  But I'm not here to take sides, so I'll move along. 

It seems as though everyone in town has a preference for either Shands or NFRMC - there is no in between.  It's one, or it's the other.  No matter which the locals prefer, most won't argue that both hospitals are actively involved in their community.  In October, I wrote a blurp called Pink Pumpkins which was about a Breast Cancer Awareness event that Shands was hosting.  But, now, I am going to talk about North Florida and one of their annual events. 

The infamous duckpond.

If you're familiar with the Gainesville area at all, you'll know that when referring to NFRMC, a lot of people mention "the duckpond".  That's because, in the front of the property is a pond fully equipped with a pathway all the way around, beautiful landscaping, and of course, ducks.  Every year, North Florida Regional holds a Lighting of the Duckpond event.  I can't say I've ever been to the lighting ceremony, but seeing that pond lit up has always been a highlight of Christmas for me, and for many others in the area.  As a kid, I remember being out late, Christmas shopping, and we always asked Daddy to drive by the pond so we could see the lights.  Ahh, childhood Christmas memories! 

This year, on Friday, December 2 (which is today), from 5:30 - 7:30 pm, North Florida will hold their annual Christmas lighting affair.  They will be displaying more than sixty thousand lights this year.  There will be an appearance from Santa & Mrs. Claus, along with some of the elves.  It's free to the public, and they will offer hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes to all who would like to partake.  For information on parking, please visit the In the Community section of their website. 

Hope to see you there! 

Songs of the Season.

I like themes.  In October, I focused a lot on cooking and the kick off of Fall, not to mention there were a couple of posts on Breast Cancer Awareness.  In November, the focus was being thankful and counting your blessings.  I brought that to you with my Month of Thanks series. 

Today marks the beginning of a new month.  To carry on our thematic tradition, I've decided to do yet another series called Songs of the Season.  Every day, well, hopefully every day throughout the month of December, I will post a Christmas song to help ring in the holiday cheer.  There will be more substance to this series than just thirty one days of Jingle Bells and Ho-Ho-Hos.  I know for some people, the holidays aren't always happy and joyful, as they are for so many of us.  Some are experiencing the holidays for the first time after the loss of a dear loved one.  Others are out of work.  Some are lonely.  Some are terminally ill.  And some are hundreds of miles away from their families.  Whatever the case, I'm hoping that this series will bring just an inkling of holiday happiness to whoever may tune in this month.  And on that note, we will kick things off with something a little goofy.  If the song doesn't make you laugh, the video is sure to crack a smile.  Happy Christmas!

Day Fifteen: November in Pictures.

In honor of the last day of my Month of Thanks series, I decided to do a recap of the month of November.  Instead of trying to organize my thoughts and spew them on to cyber paper, I thought it would be more fun to flip through all the still moments that have been captured throughout the month.  There are shots from Mr. M's birthday, and our weekend getaway.  You'll also see random photos of Miss G doing her thing.  And of course, you'll get a glimpse of our road trip to Tennessee for Thanksgiving - there will be more to follow with that.  But for now, please take a minute to share in my favorite moments of November.

The Jacksonville skyline from our weekend away.

Me & Mr. M in Ballis Park.

This was taken from inside MOSH in Jacksonville.

The John T. Alsop, Jr Bridge in Jacksonsville.

San Marco Boulevard.

Miss G.

Pure joy.

This is Mr. M's 34th birthday cake.  For some reason, all we had was a number 4 candle, so he grabbed one of G's magnets from the fridge and stuck it on top.  I guess it worked out.

Our tree was up before Thanksgiving - there's a first time for everything.

One of my favorite ornaments.

Strutting her stuff at a rest stop in Georgia.

The sexy and rugged Mr. M.

This is the view we got to enjoy during our stay in Chattanooga.

This is a shot from the Chattanooga National Cemetery.  There will be another post on this soon.