I love Christmas music! I like all the church hymns and such but I also enjoy other genres of Christmas music as well. My two favorite Christmas CD’s of all time are Amy Grant’s first Christmas CD “A Christmas Album,” and Burl Ives’ “Holly Jolly Christmas.”‘
I have also listened to George Winston’s “December” CD probably ten thousand times in the past 25 years…sheer brilliance. However, there’s just something about Burl Ives and that golden voice that makes Christmas extra special. For one, everyone in our family likes him and that’s no small feat for a family of seven ranging from 44 to 3. But just because Burl sings it doesn’t mean you should not be careful to listen to the words. One of the songs on Burl Ives’ album goes like this:
“….peace on earth will come to all if we just follow the light. So let’s give thanks to the Lord above for:”
(Please select the most logical answer)
a. Jesus is that brilliant light
b. Our Father is the One with true might
c. Santa Clause is comin’ tonight
Of course you know that “c” is the correct answer for the song “Santa Clause is comin’ tonight.” How ridiculous! But when Burl sings it it somehow seems less ridiculous than it really is. So, enjoy your Christmas CD’s or tapes, or albums, or 8-tracks, or 45’s but be careful to listen to the words lest you find yourself saying a very strange prayer.
I’m also curious about what you all think. If you could only keep one Christmas CD in your home which one would it be?
Mike Evans' blog 
If you could only keep one Christmas CD in your home which one would it be?
That is EASY… Newton High School Choir’s Christmas album. I still have it and play it every year through the Christmas holiday. I even have it burned on to a CD to play in the car.
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MIKE,
I TOO, AM A FAN OF AMY GRANTS FIRST CHRISTMAS ALBUM. THAT WOULD BE MY KEEP. I LOVE EMMANUAL, MY ULTIMATE FAV…, MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I COULD JUST REACH OUT AND TOUCH HEAVEN. ON THE LIGHT SIDE I LOVE HER VERSION OF SLEIGH RIDE, IT MAKES ME JUMP RIGHT BACK TO BEING A CHILD IN ANTICIPATION OF SNOW….,CHRISTMAS AT MY G-MA’S FARM….. WARM FUZZY MEMORIES.
THE ONLY SONG MISSING FOR ME IS ” O HOLY NIGHT”.
OH, AND YES I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING YOUR BLOG….. FOUND OUT FROM SHANNON SANDQUIST PARENTS, AND THEY GOT IT FROM SHANNON. ( TALK ABOUT SPANNING THE GLOBE AND COMING BACK FULL CIRCLE)
I SHARED IT WITH MANY CLASSMATES AND JONI
VANDERLEEST PUT IT ON OUR “83 CLASS INFORMATION SITE.
I FEEL GOD WORKS IN MANY WAYS….
ANYWAY,
I AM PRAYING DAILY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
GOD’S PLAN UNFOLDS BEAUTIFULLY, ALWAYS, IF WE COULD JUST SEE ALL THE REASONS WHY…. IT WOULD MAKE IT SO EASY TO UNDERSTAND, BUT ON THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN IS ALL WE KNOW.
FAITH IN ACTION IS JUST WHAT GOD WOULD HAVE YOU CHOOSE AND THAT IS JUST WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
IT MAKES ME THINK OF PAUL IN PHILIPPIANS…
1:6 ..”BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS, THAT HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL CARRY IT ON TO COMPLETION UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS.” THEN… PHIL 3:7-14, 4:6-7,4:11-13…AND 4:19.
THOSE PAGES OF MY BIBLE ARE SO WORN.
GOD IS SO FAITHFUL…. AND HIS PLAN WILL FULL FILL HIS PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE.
BE ENCOURAGE AND BE BLESSED AS YOU ENJOY THIS BLESSED SEASON… THE SEASON, THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF “HOPE” ( ie: A confident expectation)
may your HOPE, continue to be in him as you walk this journey of your life with Him.
GOD IS ON THE THRONE AND HAS ALREADY WON YOUR VICTORY IN JESUS!!!!!
MUCH OF GOD’S LOVE TOWARD YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,
PEG (MITCHELL) MILLER
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Your posts are always so interesting, Mike. I love Amy Grant’s CD, and Luther Vandross’ as well, but have to say Harry Connick’s first Christmas CD is my favorite.
I would also like to point out that Joni directed several of your classmates from NHS to your blog via Facebook.com (and only a few days before her wedding!)
Yeah, Joni!
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Love Amy Grant’s first Christmas album too…
Tonic Solfa’s Sugarue for fun.
Anything by Point of Grace!
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Ok. I’ve been on the sideline reading your blog, but since you’ve asked I just had to chime in. I love the George Winston “December” as well. It really is enjoyable even in the background of the noise of our four young kids! But if only one CD…”The Promise” by Michael Card.
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Kings Singers ‘BORN ON A NEW DAY’ one of 5 great Christmas carols from the past 20 years
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King’s Singers Christmas….
listen to it on Amazon…it’s extraordinary. and an overpriced import!
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Mike,
You are so right! How ridiculous! That part in that particular song Burl sings drives me CRAZY, I hate it, and I do not use that word lightly. I mean…think about it…….
I know, passion over a silly Christmas song…but it isn’t funny. And music affects us in ways I think we don’t even know or understand.
Anyway, I was raised in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church (those of you non-Luthers…that is the conservative branch), and my favorite Christmas hymn of all time is Silent Night. Growing up it was always sung at the end of the Eve service, by candlelight, accompanied by a guitar. We sing it in our home every Christmas eve, by candle light, accompanied by a guitar.
But this year, I have to say that this year it is most definitely “I heard the bells on Christmas Day,” by Casting Crowns. I’ve always loved the words, but I really like their version…and think how appropriate for our time. (If you don’t know the history of that song, it’s worth researching.)
Peace on Earth, good will to men.
…And in despair I bowed my head,
there is no peace on earth, I said.
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men.
But the bells were ringing….
Like a choir singing…..
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on earth good will to men.
Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead nor does He sleep.
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
with peace on earth, good will to men.
You can watch them sing it on Youtube.
I can honestly and humbly say that I could live without any of my Christmas CDs. But music…I think is one of the most precious gifts we can receive from the Lord…doesn’t have to be on a CD, and I wonder if anything would exist if it wasn’t for music.
Sorry to be so silly over Burl Ives’ song…another one that gets me going…the REAL words to “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” it said, “…but at least we all will be together, if the Lord allows….” AND NO ONE SINGS IT THE RIGHT WAY except Twila Paris! You can hear her sing it the way it was written on “Christmas Carols of the Young Messiah.”
Have a blessed Christmas you guys…remember, we never know what a day will bring.
Deborah
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