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!