Running with Perseverance

Then He smiled...

What is your favorite Christmas carol?

One has to admit that one of the greatest aspects of Advent and Christmas is the music.  You can't help but enjoy singing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "Jingle Bell Rock."  But, I sincerely give thanks to God for all the years that I spent as a choir girl for the mere fact that some of the most beautiful music has entered my repertoire and lifted my heart Heavenward, leaving me, years later, better equipped to contemplate our Lord's second coming and the mystery of His birth.

Have you listened to Vivaldi's Gloria?  Or the entirety of Handel's Messiah?  How about the sweet songs about Mary, Lo How a Rose E're Blooming and There is No Rose of Such Virtue?  In Dulci Jubilo...Coventry Carol...and so on and so forth.  You can't forget the ever-present tune of Advent, Veni Veni Emmanuel as it ushers us into Christmas with the "O" Antiphons.

I love the classics, those we all know the words to.  Joy to the World, Silent Night, Little Town of Bethlehem, and my second favorite Christmas song ever, O Holy Night.  Fall on your knees, indeed!

My favorite Christmas song though is Little Drummer Boy.  I suppose that seems sort of simplistic given all the choices above.  However, I think the song has such a lovely and powerful message.  I identify with the little boy, I have nothing that seems worthwhile to offer our Lord, especially compared to what others who are holy and faithful have to offer Him.  It makes me think of St. Therese's "little way."  All he can do is play his drum for the Child, and I like to think of my life like that.  I can show my love through obedience to the vocation He has given me, the gifts and talents He has given me, and through prayer.  It's a humble offering, but in the song, "Mary nodded" and "then He smiled!"

My favorite version is the one that MercyMe does.  I'm not a huge fan of the group, but I love love love their harmonies and the style they use.  Look it up on iTunes!!

What is your favorite Christmas song?  And why?

Sweet Memories

This afternoon, the last thing I need is a distraction, but I found a great one over at Waltzing Matilda.  She said:

Go to Wikipedia and type into the search bar "19__ in music". I chose 1988 since I was a freshman in high school that year. Scroll down to the section called "Top Hits". Then go to YouTube and search for some of those songs to see if you remember them. If you are like me, you might have to wait for the refrain before something clicks. Fun huh? OK, maybe you already knew this trick or maybe you are that kind of person who can remember every song played at all of your 8th grade dances.

I have been listening to all sorts of songs from 1998, the year I met Charlie.  It is so fun!