#25 - O Christmas Tree

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree!

Thy leaves are so unchanging

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Thy leaves are so unchanging

Not only green when summer's here,

But also when winter's cold and drear.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Thy leaves are so unchanging!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Much pleasure do you bring me!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Much pleasure do you bring me!

For every year the Christmas tree,

Brings to us all both joy and glee.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Much pleasure do you bring me!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

You'll never be unchanging!

A symbol of good, will, and love

You'll never be unchanging

Yesterday we got our Christmas tree!!!! :~D Right now we need to decorate but here's a sneak peek. :~) More pictures later or tomorrow! 

#26 - A Holly Jolly Christmas

Have a holly jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
Well
I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet

Ho ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't hear
Oh, bygolly
Have a holly jolly Christmas
This year

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't hear
Oh, bygolly
Have a holly jolly Christmas
This year

This mistletoe hat is a fun thing to bring out. I had it when I was little. I remember trying to keep it on my head except it kept falling off as it is slightly top heavy. And if nothing else I'm always ready to give my sisters (or cats) another kiss. :~)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Have a wonderful day with friends and family! Don't forget to count your blessings!

#27 - Thankful Heart

With a thankful heart
With an endless joy
With a growing family
Every girl and boy
Will be nephew and niece to me
(Nephew and niece to me)
Will bring love, hope and peace to me
(Love, hope and peace to me)

Yes and every night will end
And every day will start
With a grateful prayer
And a thankful heart

With an open smile
And with open doors
I will bid you welcome
What is mine is yours
With a glass raised to toast your health
(With a glass raised to toast your health)
And a promise to share the wealth
(Promise to share the wealth)

I will sail a friendly course
File a friendly chart
On sea of love
And a thankful heart

Life is like a journey
Who knows when it ends
Yes and if you need to know
The measure of a man
You simply count his friends

Stop and look around you
The glory that you see
It's born again each day
Don't let it slip away
How precious life can be

With a thankful heart
That is wide awake
I do make this promise
Every breath I take
Will be used now to sing your praise
(Used now to sing your praise)
And to beg you to share my days
(Beg you to share my days)

With a loving guarantee
That even if we part
I will hold you close
In a thankful heart

I will hold you close in a thankful heart
In a thankful heart! 

This song is from The Muppet's Christmas Carol. One of my favorite versions of the Christmas Carol. And one of my favorite books. While this song seems to be more of a Thanksgiving song as opposed to a Christmas song, it is a song that should be song all year long.

Twas the night before Thanksgiving!

"Twas the night before Thanksgiving when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a cat,

The fall leaves were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that the Turkey soon would be there;

The kitties were nestled all snug in their beds;

While visions of drumsticks danced in their heads;

And Gillie in her 'kerchief, and Sully in his cap,

Had just settled with Ansel for a long winter's nap."

#28 - Carol of the Bells

Hark how the bells,

Sweet silver bells,

All seem to say,

Throw cares away

Christmas is here,

Bringing good cheer,

To young and old,

Meek and the bold,

Oh how they pound,

Raising the sound,

O'er hill and dale,

Telling their tale,

Gaily they ring

While people sing

Songs of good cheer,

Christmas is here,

Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,

Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,

On on they send ,

On without end,

Their joyful tone to every home

Dong Ding dong ding, dong Dong

This is one of my top ten favorite Christmas Carols. The speed, the music, the way it flows together so naturally, reminds me of all the Christmases we've celebrated together as a family. The year we all were sick with the flu, the first Christmas in our house on the Erie Canal, the time it was on a Sunday and my Grandma lived with us, and the first Christmas for each of my sisters.

Throwback Tuesday: Gilligan

Remember our favorite first mate? Who could resist his goofy smile and comical behavior? I think he had the better end of the deal though, he was on an island in the Pacific. I'm in the snow in the North. ;)

Close enough, don't you think? ;)

#29 - Chestnuts Roasting Over An Open Fire

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly

So I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you

So I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you 

 Another favorite of mine from the radio. :~) My sister and I were listening to this on the radio together this past Saturday. :~)

A 3 yr old request

When greeted by the sight of all the snow on Saturday, the 3yr old promptly asked for a Christmas tree. (She does that every time it snows ;). We aren't getting ours until next weekend, but I do have a mini one in my room. I left it up this year to see if I could actually leave it up for an entire year. Every year I try to do this, but I end up putting it away by St. Patrick's day. This year, I did it! :~D So anyways, I decided to hook the tree up, so when she went to bed, the lights would be on it. She was ecstatic! She was jumping all over the house, telling everyone that there was a Christmas tree in her room! Last night she whispered to Mom 

"I can see the lights sparkle on my eyes!" 

Our Weekend Blizzard

We have almost a foot of snow from this weekends "blizzards". I'd forgotten how pretty the snow is!!!!!!!! :~D I truly don't have any favorite season because they are all unique and I love them for different ways! Enough of that, want to see the snow? :~)

This was the first gust/blizzard of snow. We were sitting on the couch, watching the Sugar Creek Gang and the Great Canoe Fish on Saturday when I glanced out the window and this is the sight that greeted me!

Around bedtime, the snow was still falling.

Sunday morning was cold, and snowy. The roads weren't very good and we haven't put our snow tires on yet, so we stayed home. Which is good cause there were nasty blizzards throughout the day. One occurred while Dad was out getting some groceries. From the time he left to the time he got home we easily got a couple inches.

Good Morning! Snow!!! And a pretty sunrise. ;)

The skies are clouding over today; but the roads are better. We probably have 8-10 inches.

And that is our weekend blizzard! 

#30 - Happy Holidays

Happy holiday, happy holiday
While the merry bells keep ringing
May your every wish come true

Happy holiday, happy holiday
May the calendar keep bringing
Happy holidays to you

Happy Holidays to all my wonderful blog friends! :~D You are all special to me. :~)

#31 - 12 Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me,

a partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me,

Three french hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree

On the fourth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me,

Four calling birds,

Three french hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three french hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me,

Six geese-a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three french hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me,

Seven swans-a-swimming,

Six geese-a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three french hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me,

Eight maids-a-milking,

Seven swans-a-swimming,

Six geese-a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three french hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids-a-milking,

Seven swans-a-swimming,

Six geese-a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three french hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me,

Ten lords-a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids-a-milking,

Seven swans-a-swimming,

Six geese-a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three french hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me,

Eleven pipers piping,

Ten lords-a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids-a-milking,

Seven swans-a-swimming,

Six geese-a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three french hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me,

Twelve drummers drumming,

Eleven pipers piping,

Ten lords-a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids-a-milking,

Seven swans-a-swimming,

Six geese-a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three french hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.

I love this song! We put hand motions to it last year and performed it! :~) The only downside was I injured my wrist from doing it so many times. Oh well! It was fun anyways!

#32 - Go, Tell it on the Mountain

While shepherds kept their watching

Over silent flocks by night,

Behold throughout the heavens,

There shone a holy light:

Go, Tell It On The Mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere;

Go, Tell It On The Mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled

When lo! above the earth

Rang out the angel chorus

That hailed our Savior's birth:

Go, Tell It On The Mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere;

Go, Tell It On The Mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lowly manger

Our humble Christ was born

And God send us salvation,

That blessed Christmas morn:

Go, Tell It On The Mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere;

Go, Tell It On The Mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

When I am a seeker,

I seek both night and day;

I seek the Lord to help me,

And He shows me the way:

Go, Tell It On The Mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere;

Go, Tell It On The Mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

He made me a watchman

Upon the city wall, 

And if I am a Christian,

I am the least of all.

Go, Tell It On The Mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere;

Go, Tell It On The Mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

GO! Tell others that Jesus Christ is born! This always reminds me why we celebrate Christmas: to tell others that Jesus came to save them from their sins.

#33 - Angels We Have Heard On High

 

 Angels we have on heard high

Sweetly singing ore the plains

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria in excelsis Deo

Gloria in excelsis Deo

Come to Bethlehem and see

Christ whose birth the angels sing

Come adore on bended knee

Christ the Lord the newborn King

Gloria in excelsis Deo

Gloria in excelsis Deo

See him in a manger laid

Whom the choirs of angels praise

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid

While our hearts in love we raise

Gloria in excelsis Deo

Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Most people do not sing this song correctly. In Latin "C" is hard, not soft. So when you sing excelsis, you shouldn't say "exellsies", but "ekelsies". :~)

Dreaming about Prince Charming

How many girls do you know, dream about their future husband? I know many like that, including myself.

We make lists of the attributes of what he should be like, what he should look like, what he should be good at and on and on.

Unfortunately, we fall into a trap. He "HAS" to be a perfect Prince. While in some cases this can be true, most of the time its not. 

Open your eyes, girls! God will give you the perfect Prince. But he won't be perfect. The only way he'll be perfect is because he is yours.

So while you may not have the perfect Disney Prince,

and unless you are an equestrian, he won't ride up on a white horse, 

but he will be your special man. And he very well might be the person you spend the rest of your life with. So girls, relax! Your perfect Prince will be here soon enough, he won't be perfect but he'll be a Prince that's perfect because God chose him specially for you.

A Laugh for You

I gave L-Jo a short-sleeved shirt. She looked at me and said "But I don't have any sleeves!" 

She looked at her shirt again and said "My sleeves are broken!"

#34 - O Little Town of Bethlehem

O Little Town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie 

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary

And gathered all above

While mortals sleep, the angels keep

Their watch of wondering love

O morning stars together

Proclaim the holy birth

And praises sing to God the King

And Peace to men on earth

How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heaven.

No ear may hear His coming,

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him still,

The dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem

Descend to us, we pray

Cast out our sin and enter in

Be born to us today

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell

O come to us, abide with us

Our Lord Emmanuel 

I can remember putting in one of our favorite Christmas CD's (Christmas Carousel 1995) in the CD player and listening to it while we decorated our Christmas tree. Jim Nabor's deep and vibrant voice brought this song to life!

#35 - It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth,

To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,

From heaven's all-gracious King."

The world in solemn stillness lay,

To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,

With peaceful wings unfurled,

And still their heavenly music floats

O'er all the weary world;

Above its sad and lowly plains,

They bend on hovering wing,

And ever o'er its Babel sounds

The blessèd angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife

The world has suffered long;

Beneath the angel-strain have rolled

Two thousand years of wrong;

And man, at war with man, hears not

The love-song which they bring;

O hush the noise, ye men of strife,

And hear the angels sing.

And ye, beneath life's crushing load,

Whose forms are bending low,

Who toil along the climbing way

With painful steps and slow,

Look now! for glad and golden hours

come swiftly on the wing.

O rest beside the weary road,

And hear the angels sing!

For lo!, the days are hastening on,

By prophet bards foretold,

When with the ever-circling years

Comes round the age of gold

When peace shall over all the earth

Its ancient splendors fling,

And the whole world give back the song

Which now the angels sing.

A quiet song. It reminds me that in the midst of the busy holiday season that we should remember the very important people who brought the news of Jesus' birth to the world.

#36 - All I Want

Well I don’t know if you remember me or not
I’m one of the kids they brought in from the home
I was the red-haired boy in an old green flannel shirt
You may not have seen me – I was standing off alone
I didn’t come and talk to you, ‘cause that’s never worked before
And you’ll prob’ly never see this letter anyway
But just in case there’s something you can do to help me out
I’ll ask you one more time

All I really want for Christmas
Is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose
Shoulders to ride on if I win
There’s so much I could ask for
But there’s just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family

Well I guess I should go ahead and tell you now
If it’s really true about that list you have
Somehow I always seem to end up in a fight
But I’m really trying hard not to be bad
But maybe if I had a brother or a dad to wrestle with
Well, maybe they could teach me how to get along
And from everything I’ve heard
Sounds like the greatest gift on earth would be a mom

All I really want for Christmas
Is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose
Shoulders to ride on if I win
There’s so much I could ask for
But there’s just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas

Is someone who’ll be there
To sing me “Happy Birthday”
For the next 100 years
And it’s OK if they’re not perfect
Well, even if they’re a little broken, that’s alright
‘Cause so am I

Well, I guess I should go
It’s almost time for bed
And maybe next time I write you
I’ll be at home

‘Cause all I really want for Christmas
Is someone to tuck me in
Tell me I’ll never be alone
Someone whose love will never end
Of all that I could ask for
Well, there’s just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas
All I really want for Christmas is a family

Just a family

That’s all I really need

 

This song is special to my family. We hold this song near and dear to our hearts.The starfish ornament at the top is based on the Legend of the Starfish.

#37 - All I want for Christmas is my 2 Front Teeth

Everybody stops and stares at me
These two teeth are gone as you can see
I don't know just who to blame for this catastrophe
But my one wish on Christmas Eve is as plain as can be

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth
My two front teeth
See my two front teeth
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth
Then I could wish you, "Merry Christmas"

It seems so long since I could say
"Sister, Susie sitting on a thistle!"
Gosh, oh gee, how happy I'd be, if I could only whistle

Another fun nonsense song, but just perfect for T-bug who only has her bottom from teeth. :~)

#37 - I Want a Hippopotmus

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
Don't want a dog, no inky dinker Toy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue
Just bring him through the front door, that's the easy thing to do

I can see me now on Christmas morning, creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise when I open up my eyes
To see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too

Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then
Teacher says a hippo is a vegetarian
There's lots of room for him in our two-car garage
I'd feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage

I can see me now on Christmas morning, creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise when I open up my eyes
To see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles or rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too!

While this song has no theological meaning, it is a funny Christmas song. :) I remember dancing to this one at a Christmas party at dance class when I was little. We dressed up in colorful skirts and danced!

#38 - Christmas time is Here

Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year

Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share

Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there

Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year.

Christmas time is here! Remember that it is only around the corner, according to yesterday's post? Charlie Brown is loved most at Christmas time. His problems are minor, but his love for Christmas (and the reason we celebrate it), in the end is major. :~)

#39 - O Holy Night

Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend.
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Its getting close to Christmas when I listen to Steve Green sing this. His amazing range brings the song to life. I have memories of riding in the car listening to this song and knowing that Christmas is around the corner.

#40 - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times gave holy law,
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come O Rod of Jesse's stem,
From ev'ry foe deliver them
That trust your mighty pow'r to save;
Bring them in vict'ry through the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

When I hear this song it always reminds me of the reason we celebrate Christmas. While the presents and things are nice, Jesus ( also know as Emmanuel {God with Us}) is "The reason of the Season".

#41 - Silent Night

Silent night! Holy night
All is calm all is bright
Round your virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Sleep in heavenly peace!

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

This is a quiet sweet song that always reminds me of the Christmas Eve service at our Church. The Church gathered together to celebrate the most amazing birth ever: the birth of Jesus, our only Savior from sins.