Naughty or nice......

George Winston's beautiful music was playing in the background, and I was working on yet another to-do list.  Christmas time truly is the most wonderful time of the year, but my word, it's exhausting for mamas. (or is that just me?  Tell me it's not just me.)

And then, as my favorite Winston song, "Joy" starts playing,  Andy turns to me with an angelic look on his face, and innocently asked, "Mom, is that YOU playing?  It sounds JUST like you! When did you record this?"

Ah.....someone knows it's only a couple of days till Christmas, and is still trying to solidify his place on the "nice" list.  Well played, kid, well played. You know me well.

On an unrelated note, if anybody needs me, I'll be busy shopping on Amazon for...... some last minute things.

Sounds of Christmas: Angels We Have Heard on High by "Committed"

I caught the last couple episodes of NBC's fairly-new show called the Sing-Off.  I laughed a lot while watching it because I think Nick Lachey is such an awkward host, but the singing has actually been really fun to watch.  All the music is created by human voices, which was actually pretty impressive, especially when performing more electronically-driven songs (think Lady Gaga...ew.)

Anyway, I like a cappella music, and always have.   My dad, uncles and grandpa always sang barber-shop quartet style music when I was growing up, and I think I've mentioned before that my dad and uncles sang the benediction a cappella at our wedding.  And, I could give you a whole list of favorite groups...

I think I've gotten myself off topic.  Getting back to it, my favorite group on the show was Committed, and they actually ended up winning the entire contest!  They also recorded a Christmas song for the show, Angels We Have Heard on High, which I present to you for your listening pleasure.  And mine.

*To read all the posts in this series, click here

Sounds of Christmas: George Winston

As was just mentioned, I really like Joy, from George Winston's album "December."  Actually, although it's a Christmas album, it's one of the few that I listen to all year round.  And, I was doing a bit of  checking around on Amazon (tis the season, after all), and found you can get the whole album for $5 right now! For 14 songs, that's a pretty good deal.

Click here to check it out on Amazon

One of the things I like best about this album is that it's so calm and soothing.  Sometimes this time of year gets so rushed and chaotic, and while there's fun to be had in fast-paced times like Christmas parties, sledding, shopping, and celebrating with friends and families, sometimes it's nice to just sit by the Christmas tree and enjoy some Peace and Joy (yes, that's 2 songs from the album.  I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist).

*To read all the posts in this series, click here

Sounds of Christmas: What's your favorite Christmas song?

What's your Favorite Christmas song?customer surveys

Sounds of Christmas: Winter Wonderland

As I've mentioned before, there are some Christmas songs that I listen to simply because they make me feel happy.

Winter Wonderland is an old classic, but the way that Avalon performs it makes me feel instantly energized (which is good, as I'm currently trying to get up the energy to go make coffee.  It can be a nasty catch-22). Before you realize it, your toes are tapping, and you don't mind that it's snowing and gross outside.



Enjoy!

*To read all the posts in this series, click here

Sounds of Christmas: A freebie for history lovers!

We've established that I love Christmas music. I also enjoy knowing the stories behind the songs we sing. I found a new book on Amazon that you can currently download for free (note, please check the price before downloading as they can change anytime!), called Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas [Kindle Edition]. 

If you're like me and don't have a Kindle, you can download a free app to read the book by clicking here.

Here's an excerpt from the book:

The rest of the story about Joy to the World is really good, and one that I hadn't heard all of before!

For more free Kindle Christmas books, you can click here.  

I think it would be fun to pick one a day to read.  Of course, that means there would either be some left over for next year, or there would be days where I could read two or three and no one would have to know.  Either way I think it will be fun!

*To read all the posts in this series, click here

Sounds of Christmas: Mannheim Steamroller

Growing up, we had some pretty serious (and awesome) Christmas traditions, which I might share in a later post.  One of traditions I found to be less awesome was the rule about not listening to Christmas music until Thanksgiving was over (I found it very difficult to be patient, and still do!).

However.

There was a particular album that, for me, always signaled the start of the Christmas season.   When my Dad would put this particular tape into the player, the whole house just felt like Christmas was finally, finally here!

I've always liked my Dad's taste in music, and Mannheim Steamroller was a Christmas favorite of his.  Years later, it's one of mine too.  Here is the first song on the album, "Christmas" that we always listened to, Deck the Halls:



There was actually one other song that I loved and signaled the start of the season, that I believe preceded Deck the Halls, but I'll have to save that for another post.  Mostly because I can't remember the name of the artist or the song, so I'll have to figure that out first.

*To read all the posts in this series, click here

Sounds of Christmas: Hallelujah Chorus

I guess I must have had extra blogging energy stored up, I've been on a roll tonight!  Actually, I wasn't planning on doing anything else until my mom found this awesome video on YouTube (yes, my mom surfs the web and finds cool YouTube videos, that's just how she rolls).  It's of the Hallelujah Chorus.  Performed in a very....unusual...way.

But, if we're talking about Christmas songs with a message that packs a punch, then Hallelujah Chorus certainly brings a lot to the table!  I put the words below, and when you're finished watching the awesomeness, take a moment to read through the lyrics.  Wow.

|: Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! :|

|: For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! :|

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

|: Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! :|

The kingdom of this world

Is become the kingdom of our Lord,

And of His Christ, and of His Christ;

And He shall reign for ever and ever,

For ever and ever, forever and ever,

King of kings, and Lord of lords,

|: King of kings, and Lord of lords, :|

And Lord of lords,

And He shall reign,

And He shall reign forever and ever,

King of kings, forever and ever,

And Lord of lords,

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

And He shall reign forever and ever,

|: King of kings! and Lord of lords! :|

And He shall reign forever and ever,

King of kings! and Lord of lords!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

And the only thing I can think of to add:  Amen.

*Click here to view the rest of the posts in the Sounds of Christmas series. 

Sounds of Christmas: O Holy Night

I love music.  I especially love Christmas music.  There's specific songs that we always listened to at the start of the Christmas season when I was younger, and they just make it feel like Christmas.  There's songs that I listen to over and over because I love the message, and there are songs that I listen to because they just make me feel happy.

"O Holy Night" is a song I have always loved, but sometimes get distracted by the enormous vocal muscles that must be exercised to execute the song (Sandy Patti's rendition comes to mind).  Beautiful, but I start focusing more on the music than on the words.

Sara Groves has a version of the song that I absolutely love.  It's a completely different melody, but the same lyrics.  I find that in this arrangement, I think more about the lyrics.  The night of Christ's birth was truly a holy, divine night.  The message in this song points us to Christ, and not only his birth, but his gospel as well.  Beautiful.

Here's a live version here:



Or listen to it for free here.

O Holy Night

Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure

arrangement Sara Groves 

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of the 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,

yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees. And, hear the angel voices!

Singing O night divine

Truly He taught us to love one another,

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother.

And in his name all oppression will cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

May we ever bless His holy name.

O Christ is the Lord. Praise His name forever 

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

O Lord when you came to the earth

O my soul, my soul felt it’s worth

O my soul, my soul felt a thrill of hope

Yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees. And, hear the angel voices!

Singing O night divine

Singing O night, O this Holy night

Singing O night divine

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?