My Top 5 Favorite Christmas Songs

O Holy Night
Carrie Underwood rocks it, and the backup singers really lend to the power of this song.




We Three Kings
I always loved the California Raisin version.  The best parts: Joe Camel wearing the fez, and the trippy smoke during the second king's verse.  The only bummer is that they left out the third verse.  Because of that, I embeded this video instead.  It's got some pretty sweet artwork.




The Restroom Door Said Gentlemen
I never said they were all churchy songs.  It does mention nuns, however.  Two of them, in fact.



I Heard The Bells 
Originally a poem written by Longfellow during the Civil War, this is my favorite modern carol.  It's awesome; simply awesome.  Except for the sparkly angel towards the end, this is the best video I've seen of the Casting Crowns version. 




Do You Hear What I Hear
Glinda (with a 'guh') singing about Christmas.

Joseph & Plans

"But God is present in reality no matter what unreality our practices and our ponderings imply. He is forever trying to establish communication; forever aware of the wrong directions we are taking and wishing to warn us; forever offering solutions for the problems that baffle us; forever standing at the door of our loneliness, eager to bring us such comradeship as the most intelligent living mortal could not supply; forever clinging to our indifference in hope that someday our needs, or at least our tragedies will waken us to respond to his advances.

The Real Presence is just that, real and life-transforming. Nor are the conditions for the manifestation of his splendors out of the reach of any of us! Here they are; otherness, openness, obedience, obsession."

From The Captivating Presence by Albert Edward Day

I imagine Joseph had a hard time in the months leading up to his first Christmas. I know how much I like things to go according to the plans I have laid out. I think Joseph did too. When his beautiful young fiancee tells him, "Joe, I'm pregnant, and it's not yours." I'm sure his world crumbled. All his plans *poof* disappeared.

Yet look what God did in that situation! If Joseph had followed through on his contingency (divorce Mary and move on), imagine what he would have missed out on: The message from the angel, the trip to Bethlehem, the wisemen and camels, not to mention being the father of Jesus!

It's frustrating when things don't go my way. Whether it's the closing date on my new home (was supposed to be Friday, now...???), or the time I get to leave the office (always either too early or too late), or whatever other plans get messed with throughout the week, Joseph's story is encouraging for me.

Sometimes God needs to rescue us from our own plans; we need to be saved from our own self-assuredness. Edward Albert Day's alliteration aside, I believe it is God's ultimate hope for us to trust enough to relax, lean back, and let God set the course.

Ebenezer Scrooge

I'll admit that I have never read Dickens' A Christmas Carol.  However, I have watched the Mickey Mouse cartoon version, and Scrooged is my second favorite Christmas movie (after Die Hard, of course). 

I do love the transformation that takes place in the character of Ebenezer Scrooge.  It is unfortunate that he is only remembered as being a stingy heel who exclaims "Bah!  Humbug!" at any sign of Christmas joy. 

A Christmas Carol is now on my winter reading list.  Not only is the message a timeless reminder of God's purpose being worked out through ordinary people, but it shows the power of transformation wrought by Christ's grace.  Christmas is not a miracle that took place 2000 years ago in some Middle Eastern country.  It's a miracle wrought by God each and every day all over the planet; and the best part:  It can happen to you!

Movie Videos & Movie Scenes at MOVIECLIPS.com

Advent

Several people who have gotten a sneak peek at the bulletin for this week have already commented, "You know we sang hymn #9 last week, right?"  Hymn #9 is, of course, the most singable Advent song in the Presbyterian Hymnal.  I was on vacation last week, but I do know which songs we sang. 

We're also going to sing #9, O Come, O Come Emmanuel again next week.  And the week after.  We are singing this song every Sunday in Advent because it is our Advent prayer.  We remember the faithfulness of God's people when the awaited for God's Messiah to be born and set their world right.  We remember the promise of God fulfilled some 2000 years ago in a far off country.  We remember the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who showed us God's immense love for us; love so powerful not even death could stop it!

As we remember, we pray:  Come, O Lord, in to our lives.  Come, O Lord, into our world.  Come, O Lord, and disperse the clouds of night.  Come, O Lord, and set our hearts at peace. 



Rejoice, my friends, rejoice!