Merry Christmas!

Christmas - it's one of a handful of holidays that is celebrated all around the world. There's also "New Year's" (obviously) and perhaps "Easter"; some countries commemorate "Armistice Day" ("Remembrance Day" in Canada, "Veteran's Day" in the US), but that's all I can think of at the moment (anyone know of any other world-wide holidays?). Just about every "civilized" country in the world celebrates "Christmas". And although it has been commercialized, and “re-packaged” as a day for “Santa Claus”, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who came to Earth to die for our sins so that we would not have to.

But Jesus’ death was not the end, it was just the beginning, but that is the story of Easter. This is Christmas.

Yes, we celebrate the birth of Christ - the Messiah. He turned the world up-side-down. No other figure in history has made more of an impact. We even divide time itself based on His birth - "BC" meaning "Before Christ", and "AD" meaning "Anno Domini", Latin for "in the Year of our Lord". Some think He was just a "good man" or just a prophet, but He is more - He is the living son of the living God.

He taught us "the Golden Rule": "Do unto others, as you would have done unto you." He also taught us: "Love one another, as your Father in heaven loves you." and "Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you."

Love is His message.

So what, then, is the true meaning of Christmas? Love, pure and simple. We get so caught-up in our day-to-day lives that most of the year, we forget this. Some even forget at Christmas, for various reasons. But then, with so many focused on material things, is it really any wonder?

Don't get me wrong, I like havng things and I like getting things, but most of my possesions are mere trinkets. If I were to lose them all tomorrow, what would I have really lost? Not much - just about everything is replacable. A few sentimental items may be irreplaceable, but only for the memories they remind me of (hence "sentimental").

Truth be told, I enjoy watching people open gifts from me, more than I enjoy opening my gifts. The old adage really is true: "'Tis better to give, than to recieve." and if you don't believe it or have never felt that way, then my sympathies go out to you, for you are a lost soul indeed. But have courage: just because one is lost doesn't mean one must stay lost; we were all lost souls at one time or another.

If you are looking for answers, like so many of us are/have, then try looking to the One who is "the reason for the season"; because He has all of the answers you're looking for. But don't take my word for it - go do your own research, and see for yourself. Many people have researched Christ for the express purpose of "disproving Him", only to prove to themselves that He really is "The Way" (Josh McDowell is one such person; you might find some of his books of interest).

Well, I don't really know what to say after that. So, I guess I'll just say to everyone all around the world, wherever and whomever you may be, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Time is Here

I guess you can call me "old-fashioned" - I hold to the tradition that the Christmas season doesn't officially begin until AFTER Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC is concluded. I don't care for stores setting up their Christmas displays the day after Halloween - that's the Thanksgiving season, for crying out loud. I don't particularly like hearing Christmas music or ads on the radio or TV prior to Thanksgiving Day, either. It's just not right.

Now, don't get me wrong - I'm no Scrooge. I will play Christmas music from "T-day + 1" until New Years Eve. One of my largest genres of CDs happens to be Christmas music (I have over 20 Christmas CDs, and I try to add at least one a year, though that doesn't always happen). It's just that it seems these days that Christmas is so commericalized, that Thanksgiving is left out-in-the-cold (so to speak), and the true meaning of Christmas is forgotten.

But I shall discuss that another day.

As I'm writing this post, I'm listening to the four "Manhiem Steamroller" Christmas CDs (some of my favorite Christmas music) on my new MP3 player. I've been listening all day at work (taking my earphones out when I need to for answering the phone, talking with colleagues, etc.) - all day yesterday, too. That Chip Davis is very talented.

Some of my other Christmas music favorites include the "Canadian Brass", the "Glenn Miller Orchestra", and of course "Bing Crosby" CDs. I probably have more Bing Crosby Christmas CDs than any other artist. I mean, it's just not Christmas without Bing.

Danny Kaye is great too, but I don't know if he ever did Chirstmas albums, per se. I know he recorded at least a few songs, because I have them. He sang with the Andrews Sisters on "A Merry Christmas at Grandmother's" (which is a version of "Over the River and Through the Woods"), as well as "All I want for Christmas (is my Two Front Teeth)" with Patty Andrews. I should do a web-search to see if I can find more.

Of course, there's also the TV specials and Christmas movies (just don't get me started about "It's a Wonderful Life"). "White Christmas" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" are two of my favorites.

Which reminds me - TRIVIA TIME!!!!

Q: Ok, so I can't find anything to back me up on this, but I know I heard it on the radio a few years ago - I'll see if I can't find some type of confirmation somewhere (maybe): What is the most requested song of the Christmas season?

A: "Linus and Lucy" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. It can be found on "A Charlie Brown Christmas" CD.

You say you've never heard of it? Wanna bet? Click on the link to "Vince Guaraldi" above - it plays on their web-site (of course, the one on the web-site is slightly different than the one on "A Charlie Brown Christmas" - it is a jazz piece, afterall).

Merry Christmas!