... because this morning I discovered a music channel on my digital cable package has begun playing Christmas carols!! You have no idea how happy this makes me. I am a Christmas carol nut... kind of like a chestnut roasting by an open fire. Any time of year Christmas songs have the ability to ring my bell... like the silver bells that declare: soon it will be Christmas day. I just can't help but "hark" and herald with the angels even though Christmas day is over a month away. Truly, these carols draw my spirit so close to God I feel I can nuzzle my forehead beneath his strong chin.
I love all Christmas carols, except the "Grandma got run over by a Reindeer" type which get old quick. So this music channel will play carols in my home approximately 6-7 hours a day from now until January 5th or so. Already this morning I've heard one of my absolute favorites (you'll find I attach that status to about 43 different Christmas carols): The Little Drummer Boy. It makes me cry EVERY time, every since I was a pre-teen girl and we had a 3-foot tall motorized little drummer boy in our entry way at Christmas time. I so identify with that little boy who had nothing of value to offer Jesus except himself in service, so he played for him. And if you know the song, then the little baby Jesus turned his head and smiled in pleasure at the little drummer boy. That just gets me! I've already needed 3 tissues this morning - no lie.
One time I took my family to a live nativity scene. This was no ordinary live nativity, not just a manger scene. No, this was an entire walk with the wise men through the ancient market place, to Herrod's palace and then to the manger scene - with live actors in costumes, elaborate sets and real animals everywhere. It was dramatic and touching and you felt you were there. It was loud and chaotic in the market, it was foreboding and threatening in the room with Herrod, but it was so calm, peaceful and serene when we reached the manger. My whole family lingered there staring at the live baby in the manger in the dark, night air. Then that baby turned its little head and looked at my then-6-year-old daughter and smiled at her. It made such an impact on her little heart - like mother like daughter I guess.
So tell me, what is your favorite Christmas carol?Post it and let's all get in the mood for the advent season!
I smiled as I read your post Rachel because I love the Christmas season. I usually start playing music as early as September. In fact my kids just hung some garland around doorframes in our home less than a week ago and we pulled down from the attic one of our miniature trees that already has lights on it, and plugged it in. I don't know if I can narrow down which of the carols is my favorite, because I love them all as well. I get goosebumps every time I hear the Hallelujah chorus.
ReplyDeleteThere's A Song In The Air, kinda obscure but I love it. My tree's up.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet a fellow Christmascarolaholic.
I love them all! Kindred spirits...so nice. I just drive everyone around me nuts! :)
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas and am preparing to decorate for Thanksgiving. We are modest at my home but we love the Lord and each other, what else could there be? But more than that, the Lord spoke to me through your devotion today. I have been struggling with what He wants of me. I was so led to be at the conference last summer but was unable to make it financially. I am a writer at heart, have been since I was little. I have tons of life experience and encouragement to offer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your heart. I always listen to the Lord through you with great anticipation of what He will do next through your writings in my life.
Kim
My favorite Christmas song is O' Holy Night and O' Come All Ye Faithful. When I became a Christian this songs put a new meaning in my life, it's not just another Christmas song it's meaning is so deep. If you will ponder on the lyrics of the song evrytime I hear it I get goose bump and can't helped but be in awe on what God has done for us how much He love us indeed and this one night in that song will tell all.
ReplyDeleteO Holy Night
O holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night
Of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world
In sin and error pining
'Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks
A new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night
O night divine
O Come All Ye Faithful
Oh, come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the king of angels:
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
In the highest:
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord
The Little Drummer Boy is my most favorite too! I have the Christmas decorations out- though not "up" yet. It's the best time of the year! Without Jesus, there would be nothing to celebrate, ever. What a privilege that we can indeed celebrate all that He has done, and even more who He is! Loved your P31 devotional today.
ReplyDeleteRachel to just give you some insight into this little comment I want you to know that this was generated because of your devotional posted on todays Encouragement from Today website. I have been a member of the choir at our church and God used it as a nudge to me to water the seed he had implanted in my heart last night during rehearsal for our Christmas Cantata. So I wrote this up for our music minister as I have watched him over many weeks now, seeing how the chatter really frustrates him, yet not knowing quite how to lovingly put a stop to it. I sent this to him today and he has told me that these words were like an answer to prayer for him. I am so glad God used you to get me off my duff and use His word to help someone else in distress!! I might not have ever gone back to that Romans passage to decipher why God put it in my heart at rehearsal, so thank you for your wisdom and yes I love Christmas music as well. You asked for our favorite Christmas song what can I say I love them all.
ReplyDelete“Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another” Rom. 12:4-5
In my previous choirs we were to be respectful to not only the choir director but to the other “members” of our choir as well. I know you are well aware of how disruptive it is when other choir members are visiting and chattering as you work with the tenors, altos or basses, or even when we are all supposed to be singing. It is also disruptive to others. I was muddling thru this dilemma last night as I do nearly every Wednesday night rehearsal when the above verse just popped into my head. At the time I wasn’t certain why, but it became clear earlier this morning.
Perhaps this might be a subtle way to draw attention to the need for the courtesy of remaining quiet while we work thru the evening. A quiet yet gentle reminder to all, including my family and I, to recall the necessity of respecting our music minister as well as respect for our fellow choir “members” while you are directing and working with the various “parts” so that the “whole” choir can become “one in Christ”.
Last night I was gustily singing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and suddenly realized I love that carol. (And so many others!)
ReplyDeleteDear Rachel I feel exactly the same way and rarely get through the little drummer boy without tears. My favorite version is by jars of clay, you should listen to it if you haven't already. Keep playing your drum for Him. Isn't it amazing that He gave us the gift and just by using it we make Him happy, it blows me away.
ReplyDelete