My Favorite Christmas Song & Other Beloved HoildayTunes

Well, in my home it is almost time for me to put up the Christmas tree.

I Photobombed them last Christmas

Alura & Monkey Toes reminded me this past weekend. Monkey Toes kept asking me did I need help this year. I told him I will let him know.
A few years ago they had to help me put the tree up. I was battling an arthritic attack & a cold most of that December. So, when my sister needed me to watch them that Saturday,

I put them to work. LoL They had fun.

Christmas is at my Grandmother's home. I stay there also so, pretty much do most of the cleaning & decorating. Christmas is not my favorite holiday. Avid readers of this blog know it is Easter. Christmas is a little tiring.  But I do keep up some of the traditions of my childhood. The tree goes up on the 2nd Sunday of December. It was the only Sunday we didn't have a church program.

That chair my brother is sitting on, We still have it.

When I was a child, I had a crew. My younger cousin D.D., my sister A, and myself with my brother G as our cheerleader and my youngest aunt (D.D.'s mom (Let's call her, Stump on here)) as the supervisor put the tree. We had so much fun. Yes, those are candy canes on the tree. We still put those on the tree, Christmas morning.

I already have this year's dozen. Come to my house and you will see a few 30+, 40+,  & 50+-year-old people tackle the tree after gifts are exchanged to get to the candy canes.

Another tradition is playing Christmas music while putting the tree up and cooking Christmas dishes. G loves Christmas music. One year it was February before we could turn it off. My grandfather would put on records and cassettes all during December. We would just bop around the house to the beats. Now it might be traditional to play music but we rarely heard the standards like "Jingle Bells" or "Frosty the Snowman". We listened to "Christmas Blues" by the Ramsey Lewis Trio & "Merry Christmas, Baby" by BB King. My grandfather & I Only wanted to hear "Santa Baby" sung by Eartha Kitt. We would sneer our noses up at Madonna's version. LoL My mother loved "Silent Night" by The Temptations. My grandmother would tap her toes to the Fairfield Four sing "Last Month of the Year". My grandfather with his deep bass voice would start singing. Stump and A would bring out their records and tapes too. Soon we would be grooving to "This Christmas" by Donny Hathaway & "Give Love on Christmas Day" both Jackson 5 & New Edition versions. Yep, Stump thought the Jacksons sang it best & A thought Ralph & them crooned it better. Eventually, rap tunes were introduced, and "Christmas in Hollis" by Run DMC was added to the list. One year in high school, I bought my grandmother, Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration. Well, the "Hallelujah Chorus" became a household favorite. And over the years I have added newer tunes to my playlist. When "Joy to the World" by Whitney Houston & the Georgia Mass Choir comes on, I have to stop decorating and direct my imaginary choir. LoL I also added some comedic Christmas songs and other holiday songs commemorating Chanukah & New Year's Eve. Oh and like K-nock of the Quad City DJs, I still want a man with a lot of money like she requested in "What You Want For Christmas".

Now out of all those songs and more that are played during December, my favorite is sung by many but the Reba McEntire version is the one I love. It is "Mary Did You Know". I love this song. It is not Christmas until I hear this song. This song makes you think. I really could ask Mary all of this if I had the chance.

When she looked at little Jesus asleep on the hay did really know she gave birth to Greatness. We all know she knew what manner of man he was once he got older. She herself asked him to fix the wine issue at the wedding. But this song asks Mary about her mindset shortly after she delivered a healthy bundle of joy. Most mothers are full of joy as she probably was. This song just asks Mary had she really realized the depth of her conversation with Gabriel the Angel. 

When she saw the angel, she was troubled at his words. She thought about what had been said. The angel said to her, “Mary, do not be afraid. You have found favor with God. See! You are to become a mother and have a Son. You are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the place where His early father David sat.  He will be King over the family of Jacob forever and His nation will have no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen? I have never had a man.” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you. The power of the Most High will cover you. The holy Child you give birth to will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:29-35

This song wonders if while she was counting his ten fingers and toes and enjoying the moment with Joseph did she take into account the things a few but especially Isaiah prophesied about.

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:1-2

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 

It's just an honest song full of questions for Mary but also full of the wondrous acts of Jesus Christ. It tugs at my heart and yeah I really want to know "Mary Did You Know"?

So, on this 2nd Sunday of December, I will put up our family's Christmas tree. Probably start moving furniture Friday night.As long as I have my Christmas mug full of tea or cocoa, my tunes & my memories of yore, I will get it done. Oh if you want to hear some of what is on my playlist go to the LINK and bop along with G & me. Yeah, he's still the cheerleader waiting on the lights to come on. 

What's your favorite Holiday song(s)? Let me know in the comments. 

Happy Holidays to you all!!! 

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms