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As we remember those who have served to protect our freedom… Thank you.

(I’ve posted this before, but it’s wonderful).

…Brian’s Christmas Countdown has come to a screeching halt.

I apologize, but work has absolutely overwhelmed me for the past week. I’ll try to do a special catch-up version sometime tomorrow, between Church, putting out Christmas lights, and my reading group meeting (Hey, we’re on the last chapter!!).

In the meantime, though, here’s something I recently discovered. It’s an arrangement of Pachelbel’s Canon, performed by the Trans Siberian Orchestra with a Christmas twist:

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the one’s I use to know
Where the tree top’s glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your day’s be merry and bright
And may all your Christmas’s be white

I’ve lived in the South all of my life.

I have never seen a White Christmas.

Maybe it’s for that reason, a white Christmas seems magical to me. I’m sure that for those of you in the great white North, a white Christmas may be a nuisance that you have to deal with in travelling.

Hope springs eternal, though. May we all live to experience one.

Yes, you probably sang this song as a child. And you probably know all of the words. But that’s not why I like it.

My favorite version is a simple instrumental version, played on a tuba. I’m sure you’ve heard it too. It’s the background music during a certain scene in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I’m not going to display the video here, but I’m sure you can find it online. It’s a certain scene where a certain part of Cousin Eddie’s RV is full.

Every year, I get together with a group of guys from my Sunday School class, and we watch Christmas Vacation together. It’s one of the highlights of my social calendar in December.

Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

I like this carol because, like some others, it draws attention to the heavenly host that appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of the Christ child. Let me take a theological diversion here. This is Brian talking, so take it with a grain of salt.

Christ, as part of the trinity, has been worshiped for time immortal by angelic beings. When Christ was in-utero, I don’t believe that he experienced that same time of worship. He may have, but that’s beyond my thinking as to how. Anyways, I’ve wondered if the angelic choir appeared at the exact moment of Christ’s birth. I’ve pictured that moment of the angels appearing in the sky containing 9 months worth of pent-up angelic praise bursting forth in one moment of unbeatable glory. The fact that such a pinnacle was witnessed by unworthy, uneducated, filthy shepherds underscores the great miracle of salvation extended unto us by a holy God.

Now, that’s something to sing about.

Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Sounds through the earth and skies.

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light

Kings… “Wise Men”… Magi… Astronomers… Astrologists… Who knows, exactly, what they were, and how many they were. Scripture only indicates that they sought out the King – the Child – whose very birth was proclaimed throughout the heavens by a wonder whose origins are still debated today.

And for what it’s worth, if you’re in the Birmingham area, the planetarium Samford University will be hosting a presentation about the “Star of Bethlehem” on December 15th, 17th, 18th & 19th at 7pm. I was privileged to attend this a couple of years ago with the Cub Scouts. Great presentation!

You better watch out, You better not cry
You Better not pout, I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He’s making a list and checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who’s naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows if you’ve been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!

Why is this a favorite? I don’t know. It may be because it’s a song that, once it gets in my head, it simply won’t let go. Catchy jingle and refrain. Maybe it’s because it “builds the hype,” before Christmas day actually arrives.

Of course, it’s interesting that it paints a picture which is exactly the opposite of the Christmas story. The Christ child arrives to share love solely based on God’s grace, not based on what we as humans – who were in open rebellion to God – have done.

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
Don’t want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy
…
Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then
Teacher says a hippo is a vegetarian

What, you thought that this was going to be a completely serious list of songs? Sung by Gayla Peevey, this is a fun Christmas song about wishing for presents for Christmas. Interestingly enough, Caleb has informed me that he can ask for really expensive stuff, because it’s free: Santa takes care of the tab. *Snort*

Interestingly enough, in 1953, the Oklahoma City Zoo launched a fundraising campaign to “buy a hippo for Gayla”. This was to purchase a hippo for the zoo, who did not have one at that time. After raising the money, ababy hippo (named Matilda) was bought, transported to the zoo, and presented to Gayla.

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan’s power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Reportedly, this is one of the oldest Christmas Carols that is still sung today. It’s been covered by everyone from Bing Crosby to Toby Keith to Iron Butterfly. Personally, my favorite version is on a 1991 CCM album, Our Christmas. It’s performed by Kim Hill and Phil Keaggy.

So why do I like this song? Because, in the very first verse, it sets forth the reason that Christ came to earth for: To save us from Satan’s power. And it happened when we were astray. That very thought should, indeed, bring us all comfort and joy. You cannot look at the manger without looking at the Cross.

Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year

Christmas time is here
We’ll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year…

This may be the first Christmas song that I remember. You know it best from here, as performed by Vince Guaraldi:

I have always loved the Charlie Brown Christmas special. When I was a child, it was one of those special TV shows that your parents would actually let you eat in the den while it was on. I remember my Mom clipping cartoons out of a magazine, and binding them together into a makeshift book that told the story. When I was older, though, I began to really appreciate what the story was about: Remembering the true meaning of Christmas, through all of the Christmas glitz and hustle.

I’ve watched it with my sons every year. Maybe we’ll watch it again tonight.