Good to Know...

We finally did it. We took the plunge into the great shopping fest that many are caught up in for Christmas. This afternoon, Michael and I needed to go take care of some errands. Before coming home, we ended up in a shopping plaza with all our favorite stores. We aren't shopaholics, so this was definitely a treat. We started out going in that direction because I wanted to stop at the Mall, purchase some toys and drop them off at the Toys for Tots collection center. It's a big deal around here, radio stations promote this with on-site remote broadcasts, law enforcement come out with the toys they've gathered and the marines are there to help with all the work involved in the collection. Because of the traffic flow, we decided to go to Best Buy first since it was on the way, to make a purchase of one thing. About 45 minutes later we were walking out with our one thing. As we came out of the store, we realized how nice the weather seemed and decided to just walk instead of t

Yep. Tis the Season. For decorating the trees, buying gifts, cinnamon spiced latte, mistletoe, twinkling lights, spiked eggnog, ribbon and wrapping paper, Christmas cards, nativity scenes, neighborhood caroling, and TV commercials. Oh, ugh, you might say. And normally I would agree. The only time for a flood of commercials of this magnitude is right before the holidays. Well, then and the Superbowl. So, this might seem a little bit off the mark of this Christmas songs blog, but while looking for videos for songs I wanted to use today, I ran across this series of commercials. This blog is not a promo for the department store, which happens to be in London. So good luck with ordering anything from there and getting it on time. (Psst...I think the deadline is December 10th for international.)  While there are plenty of commercials at any time of the year, these were an unexpected surprise. Even though I didn't exactly know where the store was located or what the products were, I was

If you've never heard this song, you might think it to be a little unconventional for a Christmas song. But I absolutely love it. The simplicity, the acoustic guitar, the relevant-could-be-today lyrics and story telling piece of it captivates me every time. And Dave Matthews oh so sultry voice also causes me to melt into a trance. All in all, this song, is a true love story. From the part of Mary and Joseph, to Jesus and how He relates to all those around Him; to God, the Father and His Son. Take a listen:   Christmas Song - Dave Matthews The Christmas Song She was his girl; he was her boyfriend She be his wife; make him her husband A surprise on the way, any day, any day One healthy little giggling dribbling baby boy The wise men came three made their way To shower him with love While he lay in the hay Shower him with love love love Love love love Love love is all around Not very much of his childhood was known Kept his mother Mary worried Always out

Let's be real. Who hasn't walked past the Santa in the mall and just for a split second, thought about standing in line, sitting on his lap and sharing our own Christmas wish list?  (Yes, that's me in the photo below the last time I actually sat on Santa's lap!) From a child's perspective, Santa is THE guy. He's the ultimate, most recognized gift giver, the most talked about person the day before and after Christmas, and the only one who can get away with wearing a bright red suit with white trim in the middle of the 21st century. He's the epitome of what it means to be jolly. He's the decider of who's good and bad and rewards accordingly. He is most likely the world's largest employer, putting more people to work than anyone on the planet! And somehow gets it all done before December 25th. And the perception is that he will grant your every wish, bring you everything your heart desires, leaving nothing unchecked on your never ending list.

Song first. One of my absolute favorite versions. Little Drummer Boy - by Jars of Clay Come, they told me, pa rum pa pum pum A newborn King to see, pa rum pa pum pum Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pa pum pum To lay before the King, pa rum pa pum pum, Rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum So to honor Him, pa rum pa pum pum When we come Little baby, pa rum pa pum pum I am a poor boy too, pa rum pa pum pum I have no gift to bring, pa rum pa pum pum That's fit to give our King, pa rum pa pum pum, Rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum Shall I play for You, pa rum pa pum pum On my drum On my drum I play my drum for Him So to honor Him Mary nodded, pa rum pa pum pum The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pa pum pum I played my drum for Him, pa rum pa pum pum I played my best for Him, pa rum pa pum pum, Rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum Then He smiled at me, pa rum pa pum pum Me and my drum When we come Me and my drum  This blog is hard to start. Where to begin is the prob

There are some songs at this time of year that just haunt me. No matter how many other songs I hear, sing or dream of, this one just won't quit. Something about the melody that plays over and over in my head, not so much like a broken record, because I really like it. The song is Love Came Down at Christmas, by Jars of Clay: Love came down at Christmas Love, a lovely love divine Love was born at Christmas Stars and angels gave the sign Love will be our token Love be yours, and love be mine Love from God to all of us Love for plea and gift a sign Love for the 10 commandments Love for the 9 that dress so fine Love for the 8 that stood at the gate Love for the 7 who went up to Heaven Love for the 6 that never got fixed Love for the 5 that stayed alive Love for the 4 that stood at the door Love for the Hebrew children Love from the little babe, baby I have a suspicion the reason I'm drawn to it might be the message nested inside these verses. But in a strang

This morning at church, the band launched into worship with a familiar song, Joy to the World. Great song to start the service, the message series and an unexpected assignment: Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King Let every heart Prepare Him room And Heaven and angels sing And Heaven and angels sing And Heaven and Heaven and angels sing Joy to the world, the Savior reigns Let men their songs employ While fields and floods Rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy Repeat, Repeat, the sounding joy Joy to the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love And wonders of His love And wonders and wonders of His love He rules the world with truth and grace, And to the nations proof The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love; And wonders of His love; And wonders, wonders of His love. During the song, I sensed that for many in today's world, the