Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!
 
I hope y'all enjoy this wonderful day and God bless you as the new year rolls around.

Giving Grateful Praise

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is He who made us, and we are His;
we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations."
 
-Psalm 100
 
To the One who is Victorious
 
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne."
 
-Revelations 3:20-21
 
We Wish You A Merry Christmas

 


Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas Eve!

(Final song countdown post is below).
 
Merry Christmas Eve Everyone!
 
Have a great time with family and friends, and remember the reason we celebrate Christmas.
 
Presents: because God gave us an amazing present
 
Christmas Tree: Represents Jesus; He is the symbol of Christmas. When we look at the tree, or Jesus in the manger, we all think "Christmas!"
Christmas Lights: Represent God's love that shone so bright on that first Christmas.
 
Star on the tree: Represents the star that led the wisemen to Jesus.
 
Angel on the tree: Represents the choir of angels that sang of Jesus' birth.
 
Santa Clause: Represents God because he gives the gifts, just like God gave us the True Gift.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
And of course I have to post something that will make y'all laugh,
after all this is a Christmas post.
(I will still do a Christmas post tomorrow (of course) to post the last Advent scripture and Merry Christmas wishes. So stay tuned!)
 






 

Sunday, December 23, 2012

1...

Word Became Flesh
 
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
-John 1:1-3,14
 
Eternal Life
 
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
-Romans 6:23
 
O Holy Night
One of my favorites.
 
 
Born on Christmas Day
This is a song that Brad Paisley wrote when he was around 13. He really does have some talent. This version was on his Christmas CD, it starts off as him singing when he was young; then as himself now on the second verse. It is a very nice song.
 


2...

Shout for Joy to the Lord

"Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has doen marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The Lord has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations. He has remembered His love and His faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn - shout for joy before the Lord, the King."
 
-Psalm 98:1-6

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
This is (I believe) the most beautiful version of this song.
 
 
All Year Long
May the beauty and wonder of the Christmas season be with you all year long. May you experience kindness, joy, and love all year long.
 
 

Saturday, December 22, 2012

3...

Being the Light
 
"As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
-John 9:4-5
 
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in this house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
-Matthew 5:14-16
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Both of these songs I'm using for today are from the movie "Nativity Story". I wasn't quite sure if Breath of Heaven would be considered traditional or special, and if Virgin's Lullaby would be considered traditional or special. So, I'm doing them both for the same day. Problem solved!
 
Breath of Heaven
 
 
Virgin's Lullaby
 

Friday, December 21, 2012

4...

Light of Life
 
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"
 
John 8:12
 
Holly Jolly Christmas
Have a holly jolly Christmas this year!

 
Christmas is all in the Heart
 
Well, I can't say that I actually read somewhere the background behind this song. But I know enough about Steven Curtis Chapman that I'm pretty sure this song is about some of his past Christmases. In the first verse he talks about a couple who doesn't have a lot of money (talking about him and his wife soon after they got married); the second verse talks about two blonde-haired boys (him and his brother) and his own little dreamers now (his own kids). He goes on to say, no matter the situation, we can all have a great Christmas no matter what, because "Christmas is all in the heart." So, whether we have a lot or a few gifts; or a lot or no snow, Christmas will still be great because of the love that God sent to us on that Christmas day. (But I am still praying for a white Christmas)
Christmas is all in the heart.
 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

5...

With You Always
 
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
 
Matthew 28: 19-20
 
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
 
 
Penguin, James Penguin
 
I'm going back to a more funny song for today. This is a Brad Paisley song (shocking, right?) about how Santa gets all of his work done every year for Christmas. If it weren't for James Penguin, Santa would never know what girls and boys are naughty or nice; and he would easily get lost. But because James Penguin waddled through Santa's door one day, we can still have Christmas.
 


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

6...

Jesus is the Way
 
"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.'
 
Jesus answered, 'I am the way and truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
 
John 7:37-38, 14:6
 
Hark the Herald
 
 
 On This Winter's Night
 
There really isn't a specific "theme" to this song, I just think it's a great Christmas song. It's about what the characters in the song are doing "This Winter's Night"; then it goes on to talk about how a king is born "This Winter's Night".
 


Monday, December 17, 2012

7...

With God
 
"Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
 
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations . His purpose was to create in himself aone new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
 
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."
 
-Ephesians 2:12-22
 
Jingle Bell Rock
 
 
Santa's Gonna Come in a Pickup Truck
 
This is a funny song sung by Alan Jackson featuring Alvin and the Chipmunks. This one is all about how, in the south, they don't get much snow, so Santa will have to go down in a pickup truck to get there, instead of using his sleigh. But the chipmunks (particularly Alvin) are worried he won't be able to fit the gifts that they want in a truck.
Enjoy!
 


8...

God's Love and Ours
 
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.
 
This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
 
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."
 
1 John 4:7-16

White Christmas

I'm dreaming and praying for a white Christmas.


All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan

This song is sung by Kenny Chesney, who, if you know him at all, hates any type of cold weather. (I didn't realize the irony between the two songs I've chosen for today until I started this post.) So he wrote this song because he could care less if there was any snow for Christmas, all he wants is a tan.
(If you get a chance, you should listen to his version of jingle bells.)

 

Saturday, December 15, 2012

9...

Gift from God
 
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."
 
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

 
Camouflage & Christmas Lights

Last year, I had used the song "Bring Him Home Santa" as a tribute and remembrance of our soldiers during the Christmas season. I was going to do that same one this year, but I heard this one on the radio and really liked it. This one is about spending Christmas as a soldier, in a different country, away from family. I can't imagine what it is like for soldiers during any holiday, especially Christmas. My heart and prayers go out to them during each Christmas season as each day passes that they don't see their family.
God bless our soldiers!

10...

God Sent His Son
 
"But when the set time had fully come, God sent His son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship."
 
Galatians 4:4-5
 
Jingle Bells
 
 
Oklahoma Christmas
 
This song is a lot like the "Christmas in Kentucky" song I posted a few days ago, except that this one is specific to Oklahoma (and is sung by Blake Shelton). Blake was born and grew up in Oklahoma, so this song is special to him. It also features Reba McEntire, because she was also born and raised in Oklahoma. I love to hear people sing about where they were born and raised, and the traditions that are specific to that place; it shows they are proud to have grown up in that place.
 


Friday, December 14, 2012

Ellen's Hidden Camera Pranks

(Christmas Countdown is continued below this post)
 
Happy Friday!
 


11...

Escaping to Egypt
 
"And having been warned in a dream not to go to Herod, they [the wisemen] returned to their country by another route.
 
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up,' he said, 'take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.'
 
So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and lefto for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'Out of Egypt I called my son.'"
 
Silver Bells



  Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24
 
This song was originally written about a cello player who was born in Sarajevo but left when he was fairly young. When he came back, he found the town in ruins. Every night, Serbs was bombing Sarajevo. But this cello player would not head to the bomb shelters; instead, he would go to the town square, sit on a pile of rubble, and start playing Mozart and Beethoven as the city was bombed.
 
Every night he would go to that same spot and play Christmas carols, creating a powerful image. It was his way of proving that the spirit of humanity was still alive there.
 
The writer used the oldest Christmas melodies he could find, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Carol of the Bells", to use in the song. The orchestra represents one side, and the rock band, the other. While the single cello represents that single individual, that spark of hope.
 


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

12...

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
 
"When they [the wisemen] saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the chi.d with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
 
-Matthew 2:10-11
 
O Come All Ye Faithful
 
 
Merry Christmas
 
This song was written by one of Third Day's former members (Brad Avery) in 2006. He wrote it when him and his family were in the process of adopting from China. They had been waiting for a few years and were so excited to meet their "little China girl". Finally, in 2007, Brad and his family got to meet their "little China girl", Canaan. This song (as most of you know) is a very special one to me and my family. We were going through that same excitement for a few years as well waiting to meet our "little China girl".
(The video features Brad Avery, his family, and their journey. But I had to include a picture of our China girl as well (of course.))
 
 


Tuesday, December 11, 2012

13...

The Star
 
"After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was."
 
Matthew 2:9
 
Silent Night
 
 
Christmas in Kentucky
 
 Steven Curtis Chapman wrote this song about his memories of Christmas in Kentucky. He shares the great memories of family time, the little bit of snow they might or might not have gotten, rolling down the back roads, etc. He also talks about when it's Christmas in Kentucky, it's Christmas everywhere else. The whole world is all celebrating the birth of Jesus together.
 

14...

(I know, it's a little late. In my defense it was all ready to be published last night, but I was too into Grey's Anatomy and making Christmas presents that I forgot to hit "Publish".)

Herod and the Magi
 
"Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.'"
 
Matthew 2:7-8
 
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
 
 
Away in a Manger/Child in the Manger
 
This song is a beautiful medley written by Michael W. Smith. Child in the Manger is written about the special child that was born on that very first Christmas night, which is why it connects so well with the traditional Away in a Manger.



Sunday, December 9, 2012

15...

Out of Bethlehem will come a ruler...
 
"When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea,' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written:
 
'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'"
 
The Christmas Song
 
"Merry Christmas to you"
 
 
 God Bless Us Everyone
 
This song is from the soundtrack to "A Christmas Carol". Because it's from that movie, I would guess that it is based off what Tiny Tim says in the end:
"God Bless Us, Everyone!"
The song goes deeper, though. Talking about all of us coming together with joyful, grateful, and giving hearts, because a miracle has just begun!
"God Bless Us, Everyone!"
 


16...

Magi
 
"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked,
'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'"
 
Let it Snow!
 
Yes, please let it snow so we can have a white Christmas!
 
 
 The Angels Sing
 
Not really a story behind this song; it's just about getting worn from the stress, shopping, and parties of Christmas, and then forgetting it all when you see your kids, nieces, nephews, etc. in a Christmas program. You are so involved in that program, and realizing everything is all fine and well because you have times like those to look back on. Great memories are being made.

 


Saturday, December 8, 2012

17...

Jesus
 
"On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived."
 
-Luke 2:21
 
Away in a Manger
 
 
Home
 
Michael Buble wrote this song in 2005 for his then-fiancee, describing his loneliness from missing her in the lyrics.
Although Michael Buble wrote this song, I'm not a huge fan of his; so, I'm using Blake Shelton's version for this. (But Michael Buble does accompany Blake).
 


Thursday, December 6, 2012

Christmas Poem

(Countdown is posted below)
 
This is kind of sad, because this poem is so true.
But it is also very funny, enjoy:
 
Politically Correct Christmas Poem
 
'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck...
How to live in a world that's politically correct?
His workers no longer would answer to "Elves",
"Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves.
And labor conditions at the North Pole,
were alleged by the union, to stifle the soul.
 
Four reindeer had vanished without much propriety,
released to the wild, by the Humane Society.
And equal employment had made it quite clear,
that Santa had better not use just reindeer.
So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,
were replaced with 4 pigs, and you know that looked stupid!
 
The runners had been removed from his beautiful sleigh,
because the ruts were deemed dangerous by the EPA,
And millions of people were calling the cops,
when they heard sled noises upon their roof tops.
Second-hand smoke from his pipe had his workers quite frightened,
and his fur trimmed red suit was called "unenlightened".
 
To show you the strangeness of today's ebbs and flows,
Rudolf was suing over unauthorized use of his nose.
He went to Geraldo, in front of the Nation,
demanding millions in over-due workers compensation.
 
So...half of the reindeer were gone, and his wife who suddenly said she'd had enough of this life,
joined a self-help group, packed and left in a whiz,
demanding from now on that her title was Ms.
 
And as for gifts...why, he'd never had the notion
that making a choice could cause such commotion.
Nothing of leather, nothing of fur...
Which meant nothing for him or nothing for her,
Nothing to aim, Nothing to shoot,
Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise.
Nothing for just girls and nothing for just boys.
Nothing that claimed to be gender specific,
Nothing that's warlike or non-pacifistic.
 
No candy or sweets...they were bad for the tooth.
Nothing that seemed to embellish upon the truth.
And fairytales...while not yet forbidden,
were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden,
for they raised the hackles of those psychological,
who claimed the only good gift was one ecological.
 
No baseball, no football...someone might get hurt,
besides - playing sports exposed kids to dirt.
Dolls were said to be sexist and should be passe,
and Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.
 
So Santa just stood there, disheveled and perplexed,
he just couldn't figure out what to do next?
He tried to be merry he tried to be gay,
but you have to be careful with that word today.
His sack was quite empty, it was flat on the ground,
nothing fully acceptable was anywhere to be found.
 
Something special was needed, a gift that he might,
give to us all, without angering the left or the right.
A gift that would satisfy - with no indecision,
each group of people in every religion.
Every race, every hue,
everyone, everywhere...even you!
 
So here is that gift, its price beyond worth...
 
"May you and your loved ones,
Enjoy peace on earth!"


18...

Praising God
 
"The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."
 
-Luke 2:20
 
Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy
 
The best version of this song:
 
 
 
Christmas Like a Child
 
This song is for those who have lost the "sparkle" of Christmas. I believe, no matter what, that at Christmas, if people are excited for it, they are like a child (at heart) again (for that month, season, or day). If they don't get the least bit excited, they have lost their joy for Christmas. I always feel "like a child" at Christmas, because I get extremely excited for it. I'm the type who listens to Christmas music in November (sometimes a little before). If you don't feel like a child at Christmas, how can you enjoy it? So, be immature, joyous, giddy, but most of all, be EXCITED for Christmas. Christmas is the time to be like that, Jesus has come! I think that's a great reason to act like child. How else would you act? Jesus has come, there is peace on earth and good will to men!
Feel Christmas like a child...

  

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

19...

Mary
 
"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."
 
-Luke 2:19
 
What Child Is This
 
 
 
Christmas Day
 
I can't really say I have a favorite Christmas song, but this one is definitely towards the top of my list. It gets played quite often while I'm doing homework or studying.

 


20...

Spreading the News
 
"When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them."
 
Luke 2:17-18
 
Winter Wonderland
 
Hopefully I'll be "walking in a winter wonderland" soon.
 
 
Kung Pao Buckaroo Holiday
 
This is one of the funniest Christmas songs. We all know there are some people out there who think "Christmas" is offensive. Well, Brad Paisley took it a bit further and added a bunch of other Christmas songs that should also be banned if the word "Christmas" is. For instance, "Little Drummer Boy" offends short people and real musicians.
Enjoy!
 


Monday, December 3, 2012

21...

The Shepherds
 
"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'
 
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger."
 
-Luke 2:15-16
 
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
 
This has never really been one of my favorite Christmas songs, but recently I heard Andrea Bocelli's version, and loved it!
 
 
All I Really Want
 
This song was written by Steven Curtis Chapman. As most of you know, Steven Curtis Chapman is an adoption advocate (as am I). So, of course he wrote a song advocating adoption. This song is about a boy asking just for a family for Christmas.
 
 


22...

(23.. and 24... were both posted on Sunday because I can't count, obviously)
 
The Angels
 
"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 
'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"

-Luke 2:13-14
 
Joy to the World
 
George Strait's version has a very nice country "twang" to it.
 
 
 
Christmas in Heaven
 
This song was written by Scotty McCreery and he wrote it thinking about his grandpa. His grandpa passed away a few years ago, and he thinks about him especially during this time of year.
What is Christmas in Heaven like?
I do wonder that myself sometimes, and I sure can't wait to find out!



Sunday, December 2, 2012

23...

So apparently, I'm horrible with countdowns and don't know how to count.
So, I'll add these two songs right now because it still is the 2nd (just, with a few hours left). It's just a late post.
 
My advent verses are still right, though, so we don't have to worry about that :)
 
I'll Be Home For Christmas
 
I believe this is the best version because of the harmonization that these guys can do together.
 
 
Christmastime
 
Couldn't find much of a story behind this song. But I do know it's performed by Michael W. Smith and it is a lovely addition to my Christmas music every year.
 
 

Saturday, December 1, 2012

24...

The Angels and the Shepherds
 
"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'"
 
-Luke 2:10-12
 
 
Song Countdown
 
Angels We Have Heard on High
 
 
Let it be Christmas
Alan Jackson wrote this song based on what Christmas means to him.
 


25...

Advent Day 5:
 
The Shepherds
 
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified."
 
-Luke 2:8-9


25...
 
Traditional: "The First Noel"

 
 
Specialty Song:

If you've seen the movie How The Grinch Stole Christmas, you know that this song was written for that movie. About how the grinch hated Christmas, but then at the end of the movie (spoiler alert!), how he found it again in the hearts of the townspeople of Whoville. 
 
This song can relate to a lot of people though. How they forget about family, Jesus, the joy, etc. of Christmas because they are so stressed about the other things. They lose sight of the true Christmas. But when you hear this song, and really listen to the lyrics, you realize that Christmas really can be the "most wonderful time of the year." Once you figure out what's important to you; once you figure out one really great thing about Christmas, you realize,
"Christmas is so much more!"

Have you figured it out yet? The "specialty" Christmas song for today is...

"Where Are You Christmas"
 
"Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."
-The Grinch