Monday, December 08, 2008

Fun Monday - Christmas is coming!

I'm hosting this week, and I asked everyone to share their top three Christmas songs, and their favorite Christmas item. Since I dreamed up the topic, I should know what my answers would be huh? But I've really had to think on this topic.

I love Christmas songs, pretty much all of them. Narrowing down my favorites is hard. But...here goes:

3. Silent Night - We always sing this at church as the candles we each hold are lit, on from the other. It's so beautiful, and it never fails to make me cry. I have a feeling it will be worse this year.
2. Mary Did You Know - I've heard several versions, but I love them all.
1. Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant - This is just a great song.

You can see that I really relate to Mary's part of this story. I always wonder about her experience. As a mother, I could totally "get" the meaning of the song, but as a mother to a litte boy it was even more powerful. I know that he was God's son, and that God gave his son to save us. But Jesus was Mary's child. She carried him, and gave birth to him. She loved him and nurtured him. Can you imagine the anguish she must have felt when he was killed? Even believing fully that he was the son of God, and that he would rise, I still imagine there was immense pain. To me, Christmas is as much about all she went through to carry,give birth to, and then raise and love Jesus, as it is a celebration of his birth.

And I chose this video of Silent Night as the group singing it is from my hometown. I'll try not to hold it agains them that they went to college at my schools rival. They are all very talented men.

My favorite Christmas item is our Christmas tree. We aren't putting ours up this year until just before Christmas, and of course I can't find the picture of last years without searchin a bunch (hello New Year's Resolutions), but it is my favorite. I love so much about the holidays, but the beautiful tree, filled with lights and all of my family's memories is my favorite.

17 comments:

Sayre said...

Isn't it amazing how Mary becomes a peripheral person in this story? As a mother, I can relate to all you said about her. I cannot imagine losing my boy - son of God or not!

Faye said...

Thanks for reminding me of that great old carol, "Mary Did You Know", mamalang. It's been years since I heard it and sung it. I agree with you about how meanigful the passing of the candlelight ceremony is--reinforces feelings of connections with family and community. I'm not a mother but can certainly understand your thoughts on Mary and what she must have endured.

All the best to your family this holiday season.

Pamela said...

After reading around I-ve come to the conclusion I really don't have a favorite. Because each time someone mentions another one, I think "Oh OOoooPs! Forgot about that one."

My favorite memories are when I was a kid, singing with my family.

Ari_1965 said...

There's nothing like a decorated Christmas tree, is there? I haven't done a thing about decorating for Christmas yet. As soon as I get over this cold....

Ali said...

Love Amy Grant, love her voice. I actually was looking for a link to 'Love has Come' by her as one of my favourite carols, but couldn't find it anywhere :-(

Jan n Jer said...

Love the video with Amy Grant singing, she has such a soft beautiful voice. Your right, we do forget about Mary, without her were would we be now?? No Jesus. Thanks for hosting FM and God bless you and your family especially your Hubby serving our country.

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

I forgot about Mary Did You Know! That is a good one!

Living Life said...

I enjoyed watching the videos, especially Mary Did You Know. Did you see the movie Nativity Story? My kids really enjoyed it. It was a great family film.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love your post. Even without the photo. :) I had forgotten about Mary did you know. As one that grew up not singing Christmas carols much, I love them all. It was very difficult for me to pick just one, but you already saw that. :)

BS said...

We do Silent Night with the candles at my church too - after every one is lit, everyone walks out of the church into the darkness and usually it coincides with the stroke of midnight - Christmas Day. I have chills just writing about it. great post. AND thanks for hosting.

Gattina said...

I love Christmas carols too the only thing which disturbes me very much is that you hear them from end November on in every shopping mall and at Christmas I get then an overdose, lol !

EroticMind said...
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EroticMind said...
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EroticMind said...

I haven't had access so let me chime in a few things here instead on my blog. My favorite christmas songs are Silent Night (every time I see ML's eye's in the candle light with tears and the kids singing along as well reminds me christmas is about family. God Mary, Jeasus, and Joseph They were a family that invited all of us to be part of their family), Little Drummer Boy (he has little but gives what matters..his heart)(The Bing Crosby/David Bowie version Rocks), Daddy things I think is the name of the last song. I am very proud to be a daddy, I take pride in my kids and stive to provide for them There is just something I truely enjoy about the night before christmas putting together toys..those are daddy kinds of things.

ChrisB said...

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who hasn't got decorated their tree yet. I thought it was actually quite difficult to narrow down the choice of carols to just three, Silent Night is another of my favs.

Anonymous said...

For some reason I thought I was ready by your post, I think I read it in on MOnday morning but was not able to comment , first of all, thanks for the part you play, I always feel that the spouses make the bigger sacrifice. thanks for hosting, it was such a fun topic. I love Silent Night too.

Molly said...

Hello, I used to be a regular for Fun Monday. I loved your topic was not able to get it together to particpate. Your choices are wonderful. I heard the most wonderful rendition of "Mary Did You Know?" by Gayle Bisesi at a concert last Sunday night. I also like Harry Belafonte's "Mary's Boychild." But there are so many great Christmas carols..."Oh, Holy Night", "Silent Night", "Ave Maria" sung by Perry Como to name a few.