Holidays in Our Home: Christmas Music (by Matt!)

Try not to jump up and scream with excitement. Indeed, it's true. This is Carrie's husband, Matt, writing up a guest post about Christmas music. You've probably noticed that Carrie's posts are written eloquently, seem so meaningful, and leave a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. This will do none of that. Unless you like Christmas music! That's what I'm supposed to be writing about, so let's get started.
I'm in charge of the Christmas music at our house. So I try to keep our Christmas playlist full of fun songs that keep the spirit and meaning of Christmas alive all season. Here's 7 highlights from our playlist all leading to our special favorite.

Christmas Songs by Jars of Clay
I have always enjoyed Jars of Clay but their Christmas album is one of their best. Pick up the songs "Wonderful Christmastime", "Love Came Down at Christmas" and "Christmastime is Here" and thank me later. Few albums capture the essence of Christmas like this one.

Elf Soundtrack
One of the best Christmas movies of all time also has a great soundtrack. This is one of Sophie's favorites. Watching her dance to "Pennies in Heaven" is quite the sight to see. This album has great versions of songs you know like "Sleigh Ride", "Jingle Bells", and "Let It Snow." And if you've seen the movie, yes, it has "Baby, It's Cold Outside." Great for a car ride with the kids.

Christmas with the Chipmunks
Nothing sets off my childhood Christmas memories like the Chipmunks. I'm talking the old school, 1950s, vinyl Chipmunks. Of course, the Chipmunk Song (Please Christmas, Don't Be Late) is a must-have for any Christmas playlist. Any kid will love "Here Comes Santa Claus", "Up on the Housetop", "Silver Bells"...OK, they'll love the whole thing.

Behold the Lamb of God by Andrew Peterson
If you don't know the name Andrew Peterson, you're missing amazing songwriting and some of the deepest songs about God ever written. Yeah, I said that. A few years ago, Peterson set out to tell the entire story of the coming of Christ (all the way back to Moses) in an album of songs. It refreshes the story and paints vivid pictures of the events leading to the birth of Jesus. I love "Passover Us", "Labor of Love", "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" and the title track.

Christmas Remixed
This album brings the upbeat party music to your playlist. It takes classic recordings and mixes them with funky beats for an interesting, eclectic group of songs. The "Jingle Bells" mixes, "Joy to the World" and "Happy Holidays" are among my faves. It's great, toe-tapping music for your next Christmas party.

City on a Hill: It's Christmas Time
The third album of the legendary "City on a Hill" series contains great songs by some amazing artists. If you missed this album, go give it a listen and again, thank me later. Highlights include "Silent Night" by Sixpence None the Richer, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" from the former group Out of Eden, and the best song in my opinion, "Manger Throne" which is by a mix of artists from the project.

Our Wedding Christmas Mix!
Our favorite Christmas album is a special mix that we gave out at our wedding back in 2002. Carrie and I were married on December 21 so our guests received a special mix CD (remember CDs?) from us. It had special songs from our wedding. "Carol of the Bells (Ukranian Christmas Carol)" was the music for our bridesmaids. Rebecca St. James sang "Cradle Song" during the ceremony. Carrie came down the aisle to "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", but I vaguely remember that because I was stunned at Carrie's beauty as she came down the aisle. Our first dance was to "Winter Wonderland" by Amy Grant.
The mix included a little bit of Carrie with songs like "Child of Love" by Sara Groves and "Manger Throne." Then it had a bit of me with "Soulful Christmas" ny James Brown, the Chipmunks, and "Hey Santa Claus" by the Moonglows. It also had classics everyone would love like "The Christmas Song" by Frank Sinatra and "Let it Snow" by Dean Martin. Those songs have special meaning for us and top our Christmas playlist.
So there ya go. Some highlights from our Christmas collection. Go check them out and enjoy!

Comments

Carrie said…
Great job honey! I may actually let you post again! Love you!
December 14, 2008 at 1:22 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Happy 31st Birthday!

Image
Happy 31st Birthday Matt! Most people say things like, "I can hardly believe it's been a year since we fill-in-the blank... My, where does the time go???" Well, I know where the time since your last birthday has gone. It's been right here backing over us like a mack truck! All I can think as I remember last Halloween is how has it only been one year since you were celebrating your 30th birthday by going to a Halloween bash designed for teenagers while Aunt Pam and I took the kids trick-or-treating in the rain? It seems like at least three years ago since you and I were in the house with a princess throwing a fit about something while Aunt Pam was on the front porch knocking on the door to let us know our dragon had just made himself throw up to avoid wearing his costume. Seriously. Are you sure you're not turning 35? Since this year has been oh-so-eventful, I thought it would be no problem to come up with 31 memorable moments from the past year! 1. Begin at the b
Read more

She Never Stops Talking

Image
Sometimes when Matt is home for extended periods of time, as he was during the week of Thanksgiving, he has the opportunity to notice new things about our children. Not that he isn't connected to them - he is an amazing, hands-on, intentional dad, but the fact that he spends much of his time at work means that there are little "joys" his misses out on.  One of the little "joys" he misses most of the time is the opportunity to spend long periods of time in the car with our kids. (I attribute Matt's perpetual cheerfulness to this fact, but that is another story...) Over Thanksgiving, however, Matt spent all kinds of time in the car with our offspring, and he was stunned by the number of times Sophie said "Mama..." Now, she said it no more and no less than she normally does, but the fact that Matt was in the car and I was talking, or trying to talk, with him seemed to highlight how often the word that has become my name was uttered. Sophie has always
Read more

Sophie's 8th Birthday

Image
Sophie had one of her most perfect days on her 8th birthday, and I loved that we were able to give her a dream-come-true day! She woke up to a birthday breakfast, but without our typical doughnuts because we were headed straight for the Franklin Farmer's Market. We showered her with art supplies and an Ariel birthday sign, and she was thrilled about all of them!  At the Farmer's Market, Sophie roamed around like the gypsy she is, thrilled to have $10 (instead of her usual $5) to spend! You can't imagine how much Sophie can buy with $10 at the Farmer's Market! When honey sticks are going for a quarter, that can make for a long day! It was hotter than blue blazes, and we'd brought Aunt Tori, Uncle Derek, Aunt Hope, and Zoe, so over half our crew had to head inside The Factory before Soph had finished her shopping, but not before we all enjoyed treats and lunch from Biscuit Love!  After the Farmer's Market, we all head to Honey's, a new candy
Read more