Why I Love Christmas

I am writing this post in March -- and having it post in December.  I am pretty sure this one is going to surprise me when it pops up on the blog.  But, why not write about it when the inspiration hits?

I can't take credit for this idea though -- again, it comes from this blog.

1. I believe in Christ.  A day to celebrate His birth, and ultimately celebrating why He came to this Earth.  Humbles me every time to know He died for me.
2. The anticipation.  Call me crazy, but I think the best part of Christmas is actually when you crawl into bed on Dec 24th and think to yourself "tomorrow is Christmas."
3. Relaxation.  My family does very little on Christmas.  It involved a lot of sleeping, playing with the new toys and watching TV.  Oh, and eating.  Now that I am older, I at least help my mom with that portion of it.
4. Christmas Music.  See this post from last year.
5. Time off.  It is the perfect excuse to take some time off, rejuvenate and NOT think about work.  I think every job should allow you paid time off at Christmas. 

Why do you enjoy Christmas?

Countdown to Christmas!

Found these two great ways to countdown to Christmas. 

Amazon is giving away free mp3's each day of advent.

And tangle.com has other great giveaways... some are songs, some are videos. 

Join me in using these as a great way to find new artists and countdown to Christmas.  It is only 20 days away (whoa!).

Christmas Music

I love Christmas!  I love the anticipation, the cheer, the food, the presents.  I don't so much enjoy the crowds at the malls, but that is neither here nor there.

I also love the message of Christmas. It is about a day to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He came to this earth as a man to ultimately die for our sins.  He not only humbled himself to become man, but he entered as a baby, a baby born in a manager.  We don't deserve His grace, yet we are free to receive it.

Christmas is my favorite holiday for many, many reasons.  While I agree with this blogger's opinion and how American is pushing out Thanksgiving and that the consumerism of Christmas is taking over... I start listening to Christmas music November 1st each year (and I'll randomly break out my favorite CDs throughout the year).  I love Christmas music, especially from artists who keep Christ the center of Christmas and their Christmas Music.

Want to learn about some of my favorites?

Last year, I shared endlessly about Josh Wilson.  If you still have bought his Sing EP, I suggest you go and do that right now!

I also have found about Aaron Hale from MPT at his blog, Jesus Needs New PR.  I haven't downloaded the EP yet; I need to wait to get back to my personal computer.  But I have enjoyed listening to it on Aaron's website.

Speaking of MPT, he is doing a great giveaway on his blog through midnight tonight!  I am participating... you have a chance to win Chris Tomlin's new Christmas music/Worship CD and a bunch of other stuff. 

I also recommend you check on Daniel Renstorm's On the Incarnation.  It is his NEW Christmas EP.  It has 8 tracks and points to Christ throughout.  Daniel leads worship at my church, Providence Baptist, and I also love his other EP Adore and Tremble.  Support him and his wonderful music!

Other great Christmas CDs?  Well, I received Casting Crown's Peace on Earth for my birthday.  It is great.  I also love Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God or MercyMe's The Christmas Sessions.  And don't forget Shane and Shane's Glory in the Highest.

What are your favorite Christmas albums? CD's? songs? 

Good bye to 2009!

Merry Christmas, a little late!

and, Happy New Year! I can't believe today is New Year's Eve... when did that happen? Anyway, it has been a while my blog readers. I apologize. When I was at home, I just never sat at the computer long enough to read blogs, let alone write an update!

I had a great Christmas. I went home on Dec 23rd and only got back to Raleigh yesterday. It was a wonderful seven days in Virginia Beach. I visited with a couple of friends... Heather and Christy. I also was able to take my dog, Pansey, out on the beach. The weather was mainly sunny and about 60s-70s. Gorgeous... and definitely unseasonably warm.

My parents... oops, Santa... were also very generous. I got a shopping spree (lots of nice, new winter clothing!), a 10-day pass to Disney World to use this February and next December, a blue tooth, and some CDs and movies. What a nice treat! I feel blessed by their outpouring of love in this way. Now... where to put all of this stuff in my already too full room?

I did take my Belle home. She loves the car... she likes to sit on the center consul and in my lap (yes, while I am driving... at least she isn't under my feet!). Here are two poorly taken pictures, but you can see in both of them that she is not in her cage, or on the backseat.

Now, Belle is normally a very sweet and lovable cat. She is definitely a cat, so she has her tendency to only want love when she demands it. But overall, she is friendly. Well, not when she goes to the vet or the first day she is at my parents house. Here is a video of her "devil cat," act. Wait til the end for the real hiss.

Mean, isn't she? I promise she normally isn't like that.

Well, I hope all of you all had a wonderful Christmas. I'll try to post tomorrow on my goals for the new year. Hope you are doing something fun for New Year's Eve!

Decorating Cookies

Last Monday for a Christmas Potluck I made sugar cookies and did some decorating. For my first attempt, I think they turned out pretty well. Now, I just need some real decorating tools and I will be doing this every Christmas! Check out some of the finished product:

Top 10 Christmas Albums/Songs

Is everyone getting in the spirit? I am definitely getting more and more there. Christmas music has been on almost constantly this last week (an occasional break so not to go crazy). In honor of all the Christmas music I have been listening to, I thought I would share with you all my Top 10 Favorite Albums/Songs. I was going to do all albums, but I couldn't come up with 10, so the last three are songs that are just some of my favorites during the Christmas Season.

In no particular order they are:

1) Behold the Lamb of God: The TRUE tall tale of the Coming of Christ- Andrew Peterson

2) Candlelight Processional- Various Artists: This one is an Epcot production done every year; celebrities do the readings and choirs are singing all the songs. Last year, a teen I know was part of a High School choir who was brought down to sing for a week in November. I think their celebrity was Neil Patrick Harris. The CD version I have is with James Earl Jones doing the reading... that's right, it is Darth Vader/Mufasa doing the reading!

3) Glory in the Highest- Shane and Shane

4) Sing- Josh Wilson

5) Snowed In- Hanson: Come on! Who doesn't love this one? A classic Christmas album that promptly returns me to 8th grade.

6) Home for Christmas- 'N Sync You know you love this one, too!

7) Elf Soundtrack

Here start the songs...

8) Jewel: Christmas Medley from Joy: A Holiday Collection

9) Jars of Clay: Little Drummer Boy

10) Barenaked Ladies w/ Sarah McLachlan: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

What about you? What are your favorites? Any new ones that you are listening to right now? I am very curious about the Casting Crown's Christmas CD as well as Third Days' Christmas CD.

Have a wonderful day!