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