fa la la la laaaa

Good morning!  How's your week going so far?  Tommy and Annabel are a little under the weather so we've been laying low, staying home, and wearing our pj's all day long.  Although I think I've finally gotten used to, and comfortable with, the routine of our typical weekday, it's been really nice to have my best boy home with me for a couple days.  Also, when they're sick, they both like to sit in my lap and give me extra hugs, which is something I am more than happy to take advantage of.

I don't know about you, but I've loved reading Carrie's "Let's Rate Something" posts!  Inspired by her genius (What's that? Did you just call me a suck-up?), I bring you a Christmas song edition of Let's Rate Something!

Top Five Favorite Christmas Songs 

Honorable Mention:  Angels We Have Heard On High

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Naturally, I love this song because my name is in it!  "Glo-oooo-oooo-ooo-ria!  In ex-Chelsey's deo!"  

What's that?  Those aren't the words?  Embarrassing.  

Yes, eventually I grew up and looked in that hymnal to see that people actually were NOT singing my name, but I definitely spent a few years of my childhood thinking that someone was thoughtful enough to put my name in such a pretty song.

#5  Mr. Grinch

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How can you not love "How the Grinch Stole Christmas?"  It's one of my favorite Christmas movies, and we watch it at least three times in the weeks leading up to Christmas.  This year it's especially helpful in teaching my five-year-old (who is so used to getting and not so much giving) that Christmas is not just about presents under the tree, but also helping others and spending time with family and friends.  Seeing the Whos down in Whoo-ville, the tall and the small, singing, without any presents at all (I can quote almost the entire movie) and the Grinch's heart grow THREE sizes that day is a perfect way to prepare for the holidays.  

Now, with that said, I also LOVE the mean, nasty, disgusting song "Mr. Grinch" and all the amazingly descriptive lines about that lovable green guy.  

Favorite line:  "You have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile, Mr. Grinch.  Given the choice between the two of you, I'd take the....seasick crocodile!


#4 Joy to the World

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Ever since I can remember, I've especially loved this Christmas carol.  It's so....what's the word....JOYFUL!  The music, the words, everything about it just screams Christmas joy.  Also, it doesn't hurt that, thanks to Aunt Nat, I know the descant and hear it in my head during the last verse.  That alone is reason enough to love this song and put a smile on my face.  Vow:  I will try my hardest to convince the Butler sisters to sing this song with the descant at Christmas so I can provide you with audio.  You need to hear it.  You will never be the same.  Really.

Favorite line:  "Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing!"


#3  Christmas Time is Here

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For me, it isn't Christmas if there's no Charlie Brown.  Another sweet movie with a fantastic message, recent years have found me feeling much like Charlie Brown with all the commercialism everywhere.  But sometimes all it takes is a special tree and some festive lights to help you see the true meaning of Christmas.  And who can resist the Peanuts characters all standing around the transformed Charlie Brown tree singing, "Loo loo loooooo, looloo loo looo loo!"  Classic.

Favorite line:  "Oh that we, could always see such spirit through the year!"


#2  It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

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I have no other reason for this besides the simple fact that I love the words.  I'm a complete sucker for poetry and just love the descriptive lyrics.  Have you ever really paid attention to the words?  Growing up, I had a bad habit of just singing along and not really thinking about the words that were coming out of my mouth.  In case that's true of you, too, here are the words to this beautiful hymn:

It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good will to men, 
from heaven's all-gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats 
o'er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains,
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o'er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
the world has suffered long;
Beneath the angel-strain have rolled
two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not
the love-song which they bring;
O hush the noise, ye men of strife,
and hear the angels sing.  

And ye, beneath life's crushing load,
whose forms are bending low, 
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow, 
look now! for glad and golden hours 
come swiftly on the wing. 
O rest beside the weary road, 
and hear the angels sing! 

For lo! the days are hastening on, 
by prophet seen of old, 
when with the ever-circling years 
shall come the time foretold 
when peace shall over all the earth 
its ancient splendors fling, 
and the whole world send back the song 
which now the angels sing.

Favorite line:  "O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing!"


#1  O Holy Night 

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For me, this song is Christmas.  It's the first song I listen to after Thanksgiving and it's the last one I listen to before I pack up my Christmas music in January.  I don't even know what else to say about it besides......Love.

Favorite line:  Truly He taught us to love one another."


There you have it!  What's your favorite Christmas song?  Hope you're having a great week!  See you tomorrow for Photo Friday.