I have a confession to make. I’ve been listening to Christmas music since September.
It’s true.
In case I need to defend myself for this, I should let you know that most of the reason I’ve been listening for so long is because I sing in the choir at our church and we’ve been rehearsing for the Singing Christmas Tree for months.
I’ve snuck a little Celine Dion and Martina McBride in there, too, though. There’s no defense for that. Just the truth that I love it.
I won’t be skipping Thanksgiving this year. But I’ll be listening to Christmas music while I eat my turkey and dressing.
I think What Child is This may be my favorite Christmas song of all time. But I also love O Holy Night. It’s beautiful. There’s a big opportunity to belt it out Celine-style during O Holy Night.
But, today, while riding in the car and listening to O Holy Night (yes, I’m listening at home, in the car, at Starbucks with ear buds in my ears), I really heard these words for the first time.
A thrill of hope. A thrill.
My friend Ellen just finished up a month-long journey of writing about hope. When I think of the word “hope,” the first thing that pops into my head is desperation.
But this is thrilling. It’s exciting. It takes your breath away. Hope is alive.
It’s a thrill of hope on the days that I yell at my kids. It’s a thrill of hope when I’m stuck in traffic and I’m already late. It’s a thrill of hope when I take my baby’s temperature and it’s scary-high at 103.5 and I cradle him in my arms and pray for healing. It’s a thrill of hope when I drive past the homeless shelter and see the long line of people standing outside in the cold waiting for lunch.
So my prayer for this Christmas season (that I’m so eager to bring in) is that I will feel that hope and I will see the thrill in it. I will feel the excitement and remember the Good News. And I will rejoice because there is hope. There is thrilling hope in the good news of Jesus Christ.
*Don’t forget to visit Every Day Cheer for an absolutely adorable Cookie Exchange printable and free download!
You and I both have Christmas music on the brain today! Tis the season!
Oh Holy Night is my absolute favorite Christmas song. And zero judging here. I’m not sure how I’m holding out! My mother and I were just talking last night about how we cannot wait to decorate and sing carols
Oh Holy Night has been my favorite Christmas song forever! I just love it. And this is such a good reminder to fix our eyes on the One, True Hope. Thank you!! And, for the record, I, too, have been listening to Christmas music since October. Here’s how I feel about it…why wouldn’t we want to celebrate and sing about the Greatest gift ever for more than just a month?! 🙂
Such a lovely post! Christmas hymns are my definite favorite. The word choice is so precise and perfect. Thanks for sharing! I think my favorite has to be Silent Night…too many beautiful words and harmonies within one song! Tear jerker! 🙂
Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song) has always been my favorite. I’m sure you’ve heard it too. Recently Taylor Swift has the song on her Christmas album, but I prefer Amy Grant singing it!
“Breath of Heaven, hold me together, Be forever near me, breath of Heaven, Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness, Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy, Breath of Heaven”
It really gets me into the true spirit of Christmas and thinking about what Mary was going through as she was about to give birth to Jesus.
O Holy Night is my favorite Christmas song! And it is a thrill. I am happy to hear you aren’t skipping Thanksgiving. We aren’t either. 😉
I love this post. I love how you put the words into perspective here and it has really made me think of how beautiful that night really was and how hopeful I am in Jesus. I have family who do not rely on a faith and when they ask me to explain mine- I always respond this way, “it’s such a beautiful story line, that Jesus was born to earth as God’s son to save the world, so what would it hurt to believe it, hope for it, and follow it?”. O Holy Night is my favorite Christmas song. I’ve already started singing it to my baby boy at night as I rock him to sleep. And I love to hear Jewel sing it. She has such an innocent voice- I almost hear her vulnerablity and desperation as opposed to someone belting it out with force (you should believe vs I really really hope this is true). Thank you for this post!
I have been listing to Christmas music since September as well. I love “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)”- particularly Jessica Simpson’s version. If you haven’t checked out Kelly Clarkson’s new album “Wrapped in Red”, it’s a winner too.
On a different note, but still with the Christmas theme, the plush nativity set that you have- I ADORE IT!! I tried unsuccessfully to find it last year. This year I’ve found the smaller tabletop version, but can’t seem to find the large set like you have. If you see it ANYWHERE, please post it on the blog or email me! Thanks!!! 🙂
love this, my friend!
I started the Christmas music in my classroom today, I actually just walked in the door singing that song.
I’ve been sneaking in Christmas music when I can too… Drew refuses to listen until after Thanksgiving. 🙂
And although the music to the song is kind of weird, I love the song “Mary Did You Know?” Somehow I always find myself thinking about her during Christmas time; I feel like as a mom of boys I think about her and how she felt with that first born son being the Son of God and knowing His purpose on Earth. Such a humbling job that must have been!
It’s so crazy how we sing those songs our entire lives, but it wasn’t until I was an adult and really listened to the lyrics to really understand the message. I admit that songs like O Holy Night and Come All Ye Faithful make me baaaawl my eyes out now, because they are just so beautiful. I am a mess at church on Christmas Eve! Some of my favorite lyrics are “joyful and triumphant”, “let every heart prepare Him room”, “and the soul felt its worth”, etc. Thanks for posting about this – I’m glad I’m not the only one who listens to Christmas music early! 🙂
Just FYI, you never won the quiet game, either! Just bring your tired self on to Indiana, and thanks for inspiring my Christmas card message for this year!
I have always said you can listen to Christmas music all year round (as long as it’s not the snow, white, winter, cold songs) because we should celebrate His birth all year long. I definitely have the songs that I listen to all year long.
I love Christmas music. I’ve already got two of my three trees up, and have been enjoying a little Christmas music driving the office – and sometimes sitting in my office! It’s the most wonderful time of the year. For sure!