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Christmas Joys
This Christmas has to go down in history as the best I can ever remember. It was my son’s 2nd year to celebrate the joyous holiday, but the first in which he could really participate in opening presents. And he had plenty to choose from!
My son...
Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.9 of 12 - Duck with Cardamom Sauce
Christmas recipe serves: 6
calories per serving: 400
preparation time: 15 minutes
cooking time: 2hours 30 minutes
suitable for freezing after step 3.
Christmas recipe ingredients:
* duck legs, 6, about 2 kg (4.5 lb)
* onions, 350 g...
Exercise at Christmas Without the Gym
Gyms get pretty deserted around Christmas time. Everyone is so
busy with preparations, parties and people visiting that it's
hard to fit in getting there, getting changed and going through
a routine as regularly as you might the rest of the year....
Surviving Grief at Christmas
I remember thinking that the impossible had happened. Daddy was supposed to live forever. Oh yes, rationally I knew that wasn’t possible, but my mind just couldn’t imagine a world without daddy in it.
Standing there in the emergency room...
The History of the Christmas Card
The Christmas card, as we know it, originated in England in the year 1843. An artist named John Calcott Horsley was commissioned by Sir Henry Cole, a wealthy and successful London businessman, to create a card that could be sent out to his friends...
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IT'S BEGINNING TO SOUND A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS
IT'S BEGINNING TO SOUND A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!!
by Karen A. Lech
Last year at Christmas time a former friend told me that one of
the radio stations was playing nothing but Christmas music for
the entire month of December. I was so glad to hear that, for I
love Christmas music! This year, my daughters and I heard that
same radio station would start playing the Christmas music or
holiday music at 7 p.m. the Friday before Thanksgiving.
On Friday afternoon, I had taken my mother to the doctor. She
had just gotten out of the hospital after spending nearly three
weeks there. The visit to the doctor was good, but seeing her so
vulnerable and worried, the time spent reviewing and
adding/subtracting the numerous medications she was on, saddened
me. It is hard to see her, such a dynamic woman, with this
physical weakness and worry. I dropped her off back home, then
proceeded to get my girls, drop off clothes at the cleaners,
take them to eat, go to Menard's to pick up some necessities,
grocery shop. The weekend was one I planned on a major cleaning
blitz (with their help) to get everything ready for
Thanksgiving.
Sure enough, Saturday morning before Thanksgiving, my twin
daughters woke up early to their alarm clock radios set to the
Holiday Music. They have been playing it non stop! I must admit,
it lent a spirit to our cleaning, and you know what? I could
feel the love in their hearts as they helped me with the
housework, getting ready to gather together for a special meal
with those we love.
I was hostessing this Thanksgiving. My son from New York would
not be coming, but my 21 year old son, his wife, their friends
who own a Chinese restaurant, my 16 year old son who left home
to live with his father, my daughters, my mother, my sister and
her husband would all be my "guests". I wanted to make
everything as perfect as possible.
I try so hard to make the holidays a good memory for all who
come, make them as comfortable as I can make it for others, to
serve their needs, appetites, and spread good cheer and love,
for who knows? It may be the last holiday they spend with
anyone... and all too true that is, for just two Christmases
ago, I had guests who spent their last Christmas celebration at
my home. I hope their memories were good, for two left this
world, one now- my dear little Aunt Jo, with cancer, in a
nursing home.
During my holiday celebrations I had my own Christmas CDs
playing in the background. It lends such a festive mood, to
quietly hear songs we all know and love. So having a radio
station playing it non stop is a real treat!
The new versions of old favorites are interesting, for there are
some newer artists, like Josh Groban whose rendition of "Oh Holy
Night" sends chills down my spine and brings tears to my eyes.
The beauty of his voice is a gift in itself, a treasure. I am so
grateful he shares his gift of his voice with the world.
What is it about holiday music, the melody? the lyrics? the
memories of Christmas past?
I remember as a child in school how we would sing Christmas
Carols. I attended a Catholic grade school, in the great city of
Chicago. Music and singing hymns, even in Latin, for mass was a
major part of our curriculum. It was easy to memorize words and
melody. But now I think of the lyrics, and being a writer, the
meaning of
the words of Christmas songs, with a much deeper
appreciation. Some lyricist lifted their heart to God and put to
music words of love and appreciation, words of joy and hope.
Music is one of the greatest gifts God has given to the human
race. It must be very important to Him, for the Bible tells us
that angels sing... and who would have given them that power
.... Our Heavenly Father.
I wonder, how did man decide to use his voice in song? Did he
hear angels do it? I am a firm believer in Adam and Eve, and my
scientific mind fills in the gaps with thoughts of cavemen. It
is my theory that when Adam and Eve were banished from the
Garden of Eden, they lost not only paradise, but a lot of
knowledge they had, for mostly, I bet things were just there for
the taking, and they and their descendants had to learn how to
shift for themselves, work for their food, etc. I believe they
reverted to caveman type mentality, being separated from the
protective walls of that Garden and God's abundance, and were
sent into a changed world, where animals were no longer
friendly, and food was not just there for the plucking. They had
to find their own shelter.
What prompted man to sing? To hum? To make an instrument? To
play an instrument? I don't believe animals play guitars or
pianos.......though they do have their own voices and song...
Somehow music does not fit in the theory of evolution, at least
Darwin's version of it.
And now, we hear choirs, families, children caroling, lifting
their voices up in praise (or money making as the music industry
can tell you) singing the familiar and beloved Christmas songs.
Take the time to relish the lyrics... they are beautiful. We
often mouth them, but do we mean them? Many are a form of
prayer, appreciation, historical. A story of Christ's
birth.....and what word pictures they evoke to take us back to
Bethlehem!!!!
Away in a manger, no crib for his bed.
Hark! The Herald Angels sing, glory to the new born King.
Oh Holy night, the stars are brightly shining, it is the night
of the dear Savior's birth.
Silent night, Holy night.
It came upon the midnight clear, the glorious song of old... the
hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight
Tis the season of words and music to warm our hearts. The season
of celebrating the greatest love given to mankind in the form of
an infant. Enjoy each strain and phrase, for they are reminders
to us all the reason for this season, and the God/Man, the pivot
point of every soul to choose and accept into your heart and
life, or not. No matter where you are or who you are, may the
blessing of Christmas music be with you every day of the year,
bringing you the same warmth, the joy, and love each and every
day of your life. And give thanks for the gift of music, for it
has wrapped its arms around you since you were born.
Karen A. Lech Copyright 2005
About the author:
Author from Richmond, Illinois. My first book (of many I have
written) has just been published (came out in August). I have
five children, many animals, love the outdoors and all manner of
nature.... even people.
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