Day 12: This is My Wish/Kevin Ross

I know it seems kinda corny that this song was written as part of a commercial, but I LOVE it!

Yesterday was one of those kind of days in which I wasn't sure how I wanted to respond to world-wide events and situations closer to home. I know how I feel. I've always been a "peaceful" warrior. But something is wrong in our world. And I don't have the answers.

It's times like this that I turn to God in prayer. The world is too big of a place for me to tackle. We can join together, and we do solve local and global problems. Yet, there are many that leave us stunned, unable to comprehend the reasons why or even begin to grasp how the tragedies we face fit into His plan.

Today's Christmas Carol pick is PEACEFUL. We need more:

This is My Wish

by Kevin Ross

via YouTube

Day 11: Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire/Nat King Cole

Wow. It.  Is.  Cold.

School is canceled, puppy is sleeping inside, boys are playing games while bundled in blankets. Essentially, we're all taking the day in leisure and trying to stay warm.

Me, I couldn't help but bake another banana bread. (With pecans!--not chestnuts.) The warm smell is still wafting throughout the house.

I love these "surprise" days off. I'm forced to stay inside and make the most of the time (which seems to slow down on days like these).

My only regret at the moment is that I don't know how to start a fire in our fireplace. The additional heat would add to comfort, I'm sure. And there is something about the calming sound of a flickering fire that really settles my soul.

Until my husband returns, I'll listen to today's Christmas Carol pick:

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

sung by Nat King Cole

via YouTube

Enjoy and Stay Warm!

The Weekend Trio! Days 8,9, & 10: A Wintery Welcome

The weekend can be incredibly busy. Friday, my son took my laptop for hours. Saturday, well, Saturday, my time slipped out of my hands like powdery snow. And now it's Sunday! And wow! Baby, It's Cold Outside! (Forecast predicts even colder by Tuesday!) 

But here's my Weekend Trio of Christmas Carols to warm your heart and set a tone of peace and comfort. Enjoy!

Baby, It's Cold Outside (Friday's pick)

sung by Idina Menzel & Michael Buble
via You Tube

Silver Bells (Saturday's pick--a tribute to a friend!)

sung by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell
via You Tube 

Silent Night (Sunday's pick--a sweet lullaby to calm the soul)

sung by David Archuleta (I think he does a lovely job on this one!)
via You Tube

Day 7: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year/Andy Williams

I love this song! (And who doesn't love Andy Williams?)

Day 7 Christmas-Carol-Kinda-Day Pick:
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

sung by Andy Williams

via YouTube

I'll admit, I didn't watch and Andy Williams' Christmas special at any point during December, but watching this video clip reminds me of how much fun they could be. Holidays of the '70s and '80s were filled with Christmas and Holiday specials, night after night!

Memories of the past holidays can bring so much joy!

Last night, New Year's Eve, brought back my memories of babysitting and watching the festivities on T.V. There was the excitement in Time Square and then again on the West Coast. The children I babysat for and I danced and shouted. We blew on horns and pounded on the floor! I loved these music programs on New Year's Eve. They seemed so electric and vibrant and I wanted to be there!

Now, in 2015, the broadcasts seem a bit dis-connected. (Is it my age?) Maybe it's because I noticed all the advertisement and product placements. Were they there before? (And please, let me know... Were the Christmas specials of long ago so laden with commercialism too?)

These "ghosts" of Christmas past are the ones I prefer to see as I remember through my '70s and '80s childhood eyes. They were simple as compared to the way media seems to portray "reality" now.

Maybe that's why the lyrics in the song say:
      "There'll be parties for hosting,
       Marshmallows for toasting and 
       caroling out in the snow.
      There'll be scary ghost stories 
      and tales of the glories
      of Christmases long long ago!"

If there is one thing A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens teaches, it is that the ghosts of the past can help us in our future. The trick is to figure out how. Often we don't want to dwell on our mistakes and misfortunes, but do we want to repeat them? How can I continue that child-like energy, naive confidence, and enthusiasm in a media-centered future?

Unfortunately, a cookie like the one to the right won't have the answer. This might be something that you or I need to pray about.

As you set New Year's resolutions, consider the past. What are the "ghosts" from the past that you push aside? What can you learn from these that will make the future one worth toasting? What about a resolution to put God first in your life?

Happy New Year! ~Juli

Day 6: Same Old Lang Syne/Dan Fogelberg

(Bet you saw that one coming!)

There are so many wonderful, Christmas-themed/seasoned songs! This particular one has winter holidays and New Year's wishes! Mr. Fogelberg also included that bittersweet element of dreams unfulfilled, but the song ended in hope!

Isn't that what we all desire? HOPE for the future; HOPE for our children; HOPE for a better tomorrow?

I'm thinking of all the things I'm grateful for: Family, friends, health, safety.
And all the things I'm hopeful for: peace, prosperity, well-being, security.

While I can't place bets on what tomorrow will be like, I have HOPE through Jesus Christ.
Sometimes life seems to take us down a winding path, off the direction WE want to go. But it's in God's WORD and the Savior that we have us HOPE.

The Bible tells us so in the book of Job 11: 13-20

“Yet if you devote your heart to him
    and stretch out your hands to him,
14 if you put away the sin that is in your hand
    and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;
    you will stand firm and without fear.
16 You will surely forget your trouble,
    recalling it only as waters gone by.
17 Life will be brighter than noonday,
    and darkness will become like morning.
18 You will be secure, because there is hope;
    you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,
    and many will court your favor.
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail,
    and escape will elude them;
    their hope will become a dying gasp.”

Day 6 Christmas-Carol-Kinda-Day Pick:

Same Old Lang Syne

by Dan Fogelberg

via YouTube

Day 5: Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You/Billy Squier

Really, who (among those who grew up during the '80s) doesn't like today's choice?
I even watched it twice. The second time, just for the fun of catching all the wonderful '80s-wear and joy in revisiting the great MTV VJs (like my favorite, Martha Quinn!)

When I think about why I started this project, a part of me wanted to share in the love of music for the sake of music. This song does this especially well. It's such a happy song! Can't you see playing it/singing it during the summertime, maybe on a boat ride with friends?

One of my favorite things about the holidays is receiving Christmas cards from friends and their families far away. But this year was different. There weren't as many photos. Now, don't get me wrong, there are plenty of well-wishers sharing love across the internet on Facebook and in phone messages. And that works for me too!

But I wonder about friends and family who are "not connected" but eager for that holiday contact? (Yes, this wild, elusive breed of person still exist!) In this digital-world of ours now, I hope we aren't leaving others out.

Today, I'd like to challenge everyone to send a written letter, postcard or small note to one of these people that you know. It might be one person, one family member, one distant contact. Reach out and post a note the old fashion way... (and use the right address! I had four cards returned because I had the wrong addresses! What does that say???) Let's fill the not only mailboxes and in-boxes, but hearts and souls of our loved ones!

Like the faces in this video, time can change so quickly. Besides, Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You! :)

Day 5 Christmas-Carol-Kinda-Day Pick:

Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You
by Billy Squier

via YouTube

Day 4: I'll Be Home for Christmas/Twisted Sister

How can one think about the Christmas holidays without thinking of a home or a place that is central to one's heart? To many, this is a family home. Maybe a grandmother's house, a childhood home. It can even be a new home.

At the beginning of December, my 7th grade students and I read "Homeless" by Anna Quindlen. It's a short, personal essay about what a home is to the "homeless."

I love how Anna states:
           "...it is precisely those dumb things that make it what it is--a place of certainty, stability, predictability, privacy, for me and for my family. It is where I live. What more can you say about a place than that? That is everything."

And yet, a home is more...

As Anna brings up in the essay, "Home is Where the Heart is," has become a sentiment that equates with the ideology that where ever we are, we can be at home. It's more of a feeling of security and presence. I feel the same way about my walk with God.

Whether I'm at the coffee shop, school, church or in my home, I can be in the presence of His company. And wow. That can be a very secure and homely feeling. Especially on the days when I feel alone or lack confidence or strength to face the trials of the day.

The Bible tells me so in the story of Paul:
I reflect on his time in prison in Acts 16; 16-30.

Take the time to read this section if you aren't familiar with it. I never get a sense that Paul is unnerved or swayed by his imprisonment. He is strengthened by prayer and ultimately saved by the grace of God.

Where ever your home is, be at peace this holiday season and throughout the year knowing that the Lord is with you!

Day 4 Christmas-Carol-Kinda-Day Pick:

I'll Be Home for Christmas

sung by Twisted Sister

via YouTube

When I was looking around for a version of the song to highlight today, I ran across this one by Twisted Sister. It fits what I wanted to say. Our versions of "home" may be different for everyone, but the sentiment is still the same. "It's where you'll find me."

Thought for the day: Where do you find Jesus? God?