Day 3: Good King Wenceslas/Traditional/Sung by Candice Night

In my haste to bring a new Christmas song to my post yesterday, I didn't stop to think about the date.

Yesterday (Dec. 27) was the Feast of Stephen according to Western world calendars. But I had to research, who was Stephen and why does this matter?

Well, the traditional Christmas Carol, Good King Wenceslas is a story of the actual King Wenceslaus. It's about a celebration during the Feast of Stephen. Apparently, the "good" King (who was actually a duke) was known to be charitable and concerned for those with needs greater than his own. On a particular night, he left his warm, cozy home and went out into the countryside to serve the poor. A page followed him, thus following in his footsteps through the "deep, crisp and even" snow that "lay round about."

One of our seasonal favorites, The Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens also echos this message throughout in the story's subplot. Scrooge truly finds happiness and joy once he shares and gives Christmas spirit.

Whether the story of King Wenceslas is accurate or not, the song still sends a clear message about charity and giving. It is a lesson about the example set by Christ in giving to others in need and then, in turn, how we should follow the example He set.

Day 3 Christmas-Carol-Kinda-Day Pick:

Good King Wenceslas

sung by Candice Night

via YouTube

As I was searching for an applicable bible verse, I found this one. I sure like it. It's about how we should be thankful and share our gifts in Jesus's name. I believe that is the heart of all that was "good" about King Wenceslas.

The Bible tells us so in the section of Philippians 4: 4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Youth from UMC heading out on a mission trip (2013)

Again, it's not just a Christmas season thing. Giving and compassion for others is an every-day, 365-kinda-thing. 

Love one another &
Share Joy!

Day 2: That's Christmas To Me/Pentatonix

I can't help but reflect on the joy felt by those at the manager that first Christmas. With so many wonderful gifts that we receive on Christmas from our loved-ones, what gift could top the birth of the Savior? None! 

As the days of my 365 project progress, we'll see how this evolves, but for now, I'm attempting to start the day with a Christmas themed song as the first song I hear in the morning before I begin my day-to-day.  (Oopsy-me for picking one today that makes me cry.) 

Day 2 Christmas-Carol-Kinda-Day Pick:

That's Christmas to Me 

originally performed by Pentatonix

video via YouTube

(If you haven't heard this, give it a listen! This is beautiful!)

The shepherds who visited the manager long ago had many things on their wants-and-needs lists, but nothing compared to the gift that God gave that night.

The Bible tells us so in the chapter of Luke: 15-20.

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

On these days following your families' Christmas celebrations, when you put your gifts in closets and shelves and pack away the "elf," remember to keep the greatest gift. Jesus, alive in your hearts and your love for him and all mankind visible to all throughout the year!

Enjoy!

Putting the Plan into Action: Part 2

Earlier today, I jumped into action, started up my 365 blog and got the basics underway, nearly a week before I had anticipated. The immediate change in my plans was due to the fact that the radio stations that had been claiming they were "All Christmas Radio" simply stopped playing Christmas music at 12 midnight on Christmas Day! Christmas Day??

But here's the thing... 
Jesus wasn't born on December 25th. 
(Since the 4th century, it's been customary to celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th, or Christmas Day.)

For anyone that's ever been around the event of a birth, any birth, it's a non-stop event that starts at first sight. From then on, it's "look out world, here he/she is!" Whether it's a nurse holding the infant up at a nursery window, the family visiting the mother, father and new born at the hospital, a Facebook status update, or the welcome home, a birth of a new baby is a BIG deal that LASTS beyond that first day. 

And Jesus wasn't just any newborn. Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. His birth is a promise fulfilled for all of mankind.

Of course there would be onlookers and well-wishers beyond the day of his birth.

Even the Bible tells us so in Luke 2; 17-18. 
¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Which brings me to the purpose of my "365-Kinda-Day" project for 2015:

A Christmas-Carol-Kinda-Day!

In efforts to keep the spirit of Christmas throughout the year, the following 365 Project Plan will be used.

The 365 Project Plan:

1.   Day 1 starts December 26, 2014.

2.   Day 365 ends on December 25, 2015.

3.   Each and every day during the "Project Plan," one Christmas-themed song will be posted/shared, listened to, and enjoyed by me (Juli Caveny). If you (the reader, viewer, listener) doesn't want to follow, that's fine. This is a personal project, not a "required assignment" for anyone. 

4.   A motivational or Biblical quote or reference will also be included to help me lead a more "Christ-centered" life. Most of these will be from the New Testament. Some may come from a suggested reading list I follow, authors I read, but others may seem more random due to events outside of the project.

5.   A personal image will accompany the posts. (Oops... Does that mean I'm doing a 365-picture project too? I think so...)

6.   A reflection or personal interpretation or suggestion will occasionally be posted to evaluate how the project is progressing. These won't be daily. They might be longer, more complicated than I'm ready to handle. But I think it's important to TRY to make sense of it all. (I'll post these as separate posts/tags.)

7.   Although I will try to find a different song for each day, I am allowing myself to repeat a song/artist if needed. Certain songs can really make a difference on a difficult day. 

8.   I WILL take suggestions for songs/requests for days. Although I might have to modify them, I am also keeping a notebook of songs in advance, so if you want to request a song/artist, drop me a message! 

Wondering what you might do for a 365 Project? Check out this website Make Something 365 (I love the book!) and think outside of what you may already be doing to make a change in your life one day at a time!

Putting the Plan into Action: Part 1

This is not the way I wanted to start out my new year's resolution of "complete a 365 project."
-I did NOT want to be forced into making choices. 
-I wanted to be open to suggestions, but NOT dictated by media. 
-I wanted to start on DAY 1 and make it all the way to DAY 365. Not before DAY 1, and I have strategically planned to tackle a different 365 topic/subject next year.

If I've learned anything in my many years of experience, things don't always go as planned.

Unfortunately, the radio stations that play "all Christmas music" throughout the month of November and December stopped playing Christmas music TODAY! December 26th! (WHAAAAaaa?)
I'm not afraid to call them out here: KLOU and Fresh102.5 
I'm disappointed...

...but motivated!

Normally, I would enter panic mode. But I think this rash decision on the parts of the two stations I listen to can be seamlessly play a part in my 365 purpose. (I need to compose that later today, not next week like I had originally planned!) 

Modifications that must be made to the "Project Plan" immediately are as follows:
1. Day 1 starts December 26, 2014.
2. Day 365 ends on December 25, 2015.
3. Each day during the "Project Plan," one Christmas-themed song will be posted/shared, listened to, and enjoyed. 

SO...

What this means is that TODAY I will start my "365-A-Christmas-Carol-Kinda-Day" project.
And I think I'll start with this song:

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas version by Judy Garland via YouTube

Come back and check the updated "Project Plan" and themed blog in the next few days!