Oh, night divine!

I was just thinking about Christmas music and how much I love it--the way it makes me feel, the memories it stirs up, the warmth and comfort it brings. I'm always surprised when people say they don't like Christmas music. How is that possible?! I love nearly all of it.

Here are some of the specific lyrics I love the most, out of my favorite Christmas songs.

O, Holy Night

"...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! "

Such hope, such promise.

Mary, Did You Know?

"...Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you."

Oh, and this line, too (actually the entire song brings tears to my eyes):

"...And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God."

Wow.

Silent 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..."

There's nothing better than singing that, in candlelight, at Christmas Eve service.

Winter Wonderland

"...Later on, we'll conspire,

As we dream by the fire

To face unafraid,

The plans that we've made,

Walking in a winter wonderland."

Okay, so this one isn't religious, but I love it. When I was little, I would think about the lyrics and envision a Christmas far different from the one I knew in Orange County, CA. Sitting by the fire with snow outside my window -- ahhh. I could dream of nothing better. It still stirs up that memory for me whenever I hear it today.

Away in a Manger

"...Be near me, Lord Jesus,

I ask Thee to stay,

Close by me forever,

and love me, I pray!"

Comfort. Undying love.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

"...How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heaven."

Yes, God is good.

Joy to the World

"...He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love..."

I just love belting that one out in church!

Of course, I also love the old standards: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, Let it Snow!, The Christmas Song ("Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...") -- but there's just something so comforting singing about God's love & Jesus' birth. Especially this time of year.

What is your favorite Christmas song and why?

Deck the Halls Meme

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I like both, but would most often pick hot chocolate. (Not as heavy.) I love it with whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon on top.

-

Does Santa wrap presents or set them under the tree? When my kids still believed, they were wrapped and set by their stockings. Now there are just stockings and then gifts from us under the tree.

-

Colored lights on tree or white? This year, white. Although it doesn't look like I have one, single light in that dumb picture I took (above)! It really is all sparkly and pretty. I promise.

-

When do you put your decorations up? As soon as I can after Thanksgiving

-
What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? My crunchy green bean & corn casserole. Only 48,900 calories per serving. Sometimes I just take a few spoonfuls and attach it directly to my thighs.

-

Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Dinner every year at my Aunt Honey & Uncle Jack's house. Absolute perfection--the house itself, the decorations, and the warm, loving ways of my family.

-

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I refused to give up on the idea of Santa until I was about 13 years old. What? I was naive and innocent.

-

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? I don't, but my kids open up new pajamas and an ornament from us. That way, it's something to open but nothing that gets them so excited that they can't go to sleep at a normal hour.

-

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? This year, it's decorated in purple, silver and white ornaments. And I'm very anal about it (read: no fun), and we end up redoing a lot of it until it's just right. You know you wish you lived at my house. Admit it.

-

Snow! Love it or Dread it? LLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEE it.

-

Can you ice skate? I tried once when I was 13 and loved it.

-
Do you remember your favorite gift? Luckily, I've had a few very special ones. As a child, it was the dollhouse my parents made. As an adult, it was a yellow lab puppy we got from a breeder on December 26th--a gift from my husband.

-

What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Family, friends, keeping in mind what's really important.

-

What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? My oatmeal apricot bars.

-

What is your favorite tradition? The candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve.

-

Which do you prefer, Giving or Receiving? Giving, though I certainly love being surprised with gifts, too.

-

What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night

-

Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Yum! I like 'em. Especially in peppermint ice cream.

-
Ever recycled a Christmas present? I'm pretty sure I have.

-