Christmas Music Marathon - Day 31

It's Christmas Eve Sunday!!! Today people all over the world will gather in churches to celebrate the birth of our Savior. They have worked all year, bought gifts, sent cards, traveled across the country to see family, and now it is time to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. A Savior is born. The Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Emanuel has come to bring peace to the hearts of men. May you and your family experience the joy of the season. Have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

2016 Christmas Music Marathon - Day 25

It's hard to believe, but we are entering the last week before Christmas and the home stretch of the 2016 Christmas Music Marathon. There has been a lot of music posted that is new to you and me, but there are always a couple of favorite videos that make their way into the mix. Today I am posting my two all-time favorites. The first video is not only my favorite Christmas song, but my favorite video. I would love to be in a public setting when a flash mob breaks into the Hallelujah Chorus.



If your favorite recording artist has ever released a Christmas album, there is good chance that "O Holy Night" is one of the tracks on the album. In my humble opinion, no one has ever done it better than David Phelps of the Gaither Vocal Band. I apologize for the ads. As of right now I don't have a way to remove them, but I am working on it. Enjoy and have a blessed day.

2015 Christmas Music Marathon Day 28

The house is decorated and there is excitement in the air. Tonight we will attend a candlelight Lord's Supper at church, then we will come home, read the Christmas story and open our gifts. It will be a good time together as a family.

I do enjoy spending some time around the tree admiring the ornaments that my wife has selected over the years. Most of these ornaments are over a decade old. The little beaded wreaths are much older. 

One of the most recent additions to our Christmas decorations is this lantern. Not to worry, the candle is electric, but the flicker of it's flame is very realistic. It serves to remind me of the Light of the World whose birth we celebrate. As I said earlier, there is great anticipation in our house on Christmas Eve. I believe it was much different in a manger in Bethlehem.

Joseph and Mary had traveled there to be taxed. Joseph had brought his wife in order to protect her from the ridicule that she may have faced in Nazareth because of her pregnancy. While God had visited both of them personally and told them what was about to take place, I doubt if either of these new parents truly understood the magnitude of this "O Holy Night".

It is only because of that holy night that any of us have any hope of eternal life. It is only because of that most holy night that any of us have a real purpose in this life. May the Spirit of Christmas fill your heart and your home this year and may the Savior make His presence in your life very real this coming year. Merry Christmas from our house to yours.

2014 Christmas Music Marathon - Day 25

O Holy Night

One of the most iconic Christmas songs ever written is O Holy Night.  It has been recorded by virtually every well known vocalist in the music industry over the last 60 years.  This music marathon would not be complete without including what I consider to be the best arrangement of this song ever recorded.  David Phelps gives this song the power and majesty that it deserves.  Enjoy.

Christmas Music Marathon Day 29

 

Heading into the final week-end before Christmas, I wanted to share my two all time favorite music videos.  The first one is just the coolest thing ever.  I would love to be in a major city mall during the Christmas shopping season when a choral flash mob breaks into the Hallelujah Chorus.
The second video is my all time favorite arrangement of O Holy Night.  I know this song has been recorded by virtually every artist in the industry and many of them do a very good job of singing, but, in my humble opinion, no one does it better than David Phelps.  You just need to put the headphones on and prepare to have your spine tingled.  Merry Christmas and have a blessed week-end.

Ruby Tuesday - Christmas Music Marathon Day 21

Last week I posted the three trees that are decorated by my wife (and Santa elf). each year.  Today we will take a closer look at a few of the ornaments that adorn the trees.  Here we go.

This first ornament is a ceramic that my wife painted many years ago.  It continues to be one of my favorites.

This little engine was placed on the wreath at my father's memorial service last December.  Dad worked for the Frisco Railroad for 42 years and loved every minute of it.  Trains will always be a special part of my life.

These photo ornaments are on my favorite tree in the house.  You'll have to scroll back to last week's Ruby Tuesday to get the whole story.

The ornaments above and below are from the table top tree in the study.  It has an outdoor theme.  Since I am an architect by profession, the construction worker below was the closet thing my wife could find to represent what I do.

Back to the table top tree.  The Santa above is a part of the display at the base of the "Great Outdoors" tree.  The fishing reel is one I bought my dad over 45 years ago.  It is a collectors item now.  The bear is wearing an OU helmet.  Just look at the blog sidebar to see why that is relevant.

Finally, the ornament below is from the big tree in the living room.  This tree is filled with large, shiny ornaments.  Of course, the tree is 9 feet tall and nearly 6 feet in diameter at the base, so it can handle larger decorations.  Well, I guess that sums up the ornament tour for this year.  Merry Christmas all.

Okay I can't wait any longer.  I was going to save this song for Christmas Eve, but I know most of you will be doing other things that day will not be able to stop by.  Here is another song from, perhaps the best voice in Christian music, David Phelps.  You only think you've heard O Holy Night.  Wait til you hear this.  Turn up the sound and enjoy.



If you are now giving your computer a standing ovation, that's a normal reaction.
Now, you have heard O Holy Night the way it should be sung.  Merry Christmas.