Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot

As another year comes to a close, I am looking forward to the next one. An opportunity to make a fresh start... wipe the slate clean... follow the "right" path... discard bad habits and develop good ones.

I am struck by the "circle of life" that has played out in recent weeks: a baby is born; a cancer returns; a friend's father dies; a child celebrates his first Christmas; a group of teens is devastated when their friend dies in a car crash...

A new year and the ever-changing status of life got me thinking of the Switchfoot song "This is Your Life". My mind hangs on the haunting line - Are you who you want to be? - its the question that begs my conscience for an answer.

As we examine our desire (or need) to change our habits, whether as New Year's Resolutions or simply as a different approach to living, perhaps the power of this song will help us stick to them. Yesterday is dead and over. Today is all we'll ever have.

A New and Glorious Morn

Its Christmas Eve, the night divine. Tomorrow, as we wake up - or in my case, get woken up by excited children - it will be Christmas. The celebration of the birth of Jesus. There will be special treats, presents, laughter, pictures taken, presents, hugs and kisses, traveling, gatherings with friends and families, church perhaps, and did I mention presents....

I enjoy the thrill on the kids' faces as they see what Santa has delivered; the time spent with family and loved ones who I don't see often enough. There are times of near-chaos and times of blissful calm. All in all its one of my favorite days of the year.

Tonight will be all about music and church and the birth of Jesus. It is the Holy night. On Christmas Eve, my song choice is easy - its "O Holy Night" by MercyMe. Tomorrow is about the kids and loved ones. A new and glorious morn, celebrating the night of our savior's birth. In the midst of all the toys, sporting goods, clothing, electronics, candy, gift cards and wrapping paper; I pledge to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

In a challenging world there is still much to be thankful for - at Christmas and throughout the year. Merry Christmas, safe travels and warm wishes for a blessed day.

ps I hope you take a chance to watch and listen to Linus recite the Christmas Story, one of my absolute favorite scenes in any holiday movie or tv show.

King of Kings... Prince of Peace

I'm not sure if its the title of the CD or the artwork they chose, but I just couldn't pass this one up. Its "Handel's Messiah" by Relient K. With Christmas just a few days away, this classic piece, turned on its ear, sure puts me in the Holiday mood.

"For the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth" just begs to be sung loudly. The Hallelujah Chorus - in my twisted mind at least - is the "Bohemian Rhapsody" (Queen, click to listen) of Classical/Church music. You have to sing along, you almost can't stop yourself from it.

I also wanted to pass along links to a few other interesting holiday songs I came across while looking for my weekly choices. They are: "Christmas in the Trenches" ; "Ave Maria" performed by Bono and Luciano Pavarotti; and the David Bowie/Bing Crosby classic "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth" Enjoy.

Christmas Blues

This can be a tough time of year for many of us. Everyone else seems to be celebrating and sharing and preparing and having a great time - its almost an obligation to be happy. Yet somehow we feel like a misfit because we're sad or worried; lonely or afraid...

My song this week is for all of us, and especially those who may be struggling when everyone else appears to be in the comfort of the Christmas spirit. "You Never Let Go" by the David Crowder Band speaks of God's unchanging love and faithfulness, which holds us close in bad times and in good.

Better Late than Never

Hi and thanks for stopping by. The weekend Christmas SOTW was delayed due to technical problems - note the new "player" - but is back up again.

This weekend, I selected Away in a Manger from Third Day on their 2006 release "Christmas Offerings".

Not my original choice, but this classic childrens song brings out the simplicity and wonder of the season. As I became increasingly frustrated with getting this update to work - Are you kidding me??!! aarrrggghhh!! I have presents to buy!! - the song actually calmed me down.

This one almost always makes me smile, in part because I sang it as a precocious 4 year old, complete with memorized verses and a short post-performance comment. To my parents relief and my toddler pride, I pulled it off.

Simplicity, childlike wonder and happy memories... sounds like Christmas to me.......

Karma Catches Up

What a week for Karma!

Plaxico Burress, the over-indulged NY Giants football player is suspended for the year after "accidentally" shooting himself in the leg in a nightclub......

Republic Windows in Chicago tries to pull off a switcheroo in Iowa while blaming Bank of America for its closing......

The Wall Street Journal reports that Merrill Lynch CEO John Thain will request a $10 million bonus !!????!! - a company press release later states that the CEO and other execs will receive no 2008 bonuses.....

The Governor of Illinois is arrested for - among other corrupt schemes - attempting to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat.....

Johnny Cash's "God's Gonna Cut You Down" perfectly sums up these folks' experience. You can run on for a long time, but sooner or later God'll cut you down... Its encouraging to see that there are some "bad guys" (and gals) having to face consequences for their unethical, at times idiotic and always greedy actions. I'm not convinced this message is precisely Christian, but it just seems fair.

No Room at the Inn ??

So for the Christmas Season, I thought I'd add a Holiday song each week.... Just for fun.

For my first pick, I chose a song that I grew up on, with a contemporary twist. In what was a quasi-tradition, Dad sang this spiritual at the Christmas Eve service for many years. In honor of his 77th birthday today, I'm putting up "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" which has been updated a bit by Rebecca St. James.



"We made you be born in a manger." A simple reminder that Mary gave birth in a stable because there was no room for them in the Inn. Often makes me think of a message I heard several years ago about making room for Jesus in our lives. About clearing out the clutter of our hearts and minds so that when Christmas Eve is here we will have room for Him. I don't want to be the one whose life says that there's no room at the Inn .....

(In case you'd like to hear something closer to the rendition my dad offered up, click here.)

From the Minds of Babes

The other day, my daughters made posters supporting the theme "Keep Christ in Christmas". While they were coloring and drawing, I kept thinking: I can't believe it's Christmastime already; There's so much to be done; I could use some more decorations; What am I going to get for... My kids were creating reminders of the very oversight I was making - Christmas is about Christ.

My pick this week is "Devotion" by Newsboys - its not U2, honest. Leave it to the children to point out the plain and simple truth. A little more devotion to the child of Bethlehem is exactly what I needed.