ADESTE FIDELES, LAETI TRIUMPHANTES...
AND the christmas season is officially rung in by the farmhouse pledges running around through the dorm parking lots wearing boxers and singing christmas carols. gets everyone in the festive mood. that along with our extremely elaborate and wonderful display of lights. thus i was inspired to roam the halls in search of yuletide carols (and at least one other person who was not studying. there were none of those to be found) which, in turn, resulted in ruben studdard (he of american idol fame) letting me know that "santa claus is coming to town" via my computer speakers, ahhh, 'tis the season.
"it's coming on christmas, they're cutting down trees"
around december 24th, i often wish that i lived in some place where all my christmases would be white. but every time we sit down at the long table in the dining room under the candle-lit chandelier, i'm back with amy grant... "i know there's more snow/up in colorado/than this roof will ever see/but a tender tennessee christmas/is the only christmas for me..." christmas eve is my favorite part of the holiday. that's mainly due to communion at my grandparent's church. everyone piles into the cars and we drive through the dark streets to the church on the corner with candles in the windows. we all file up to the altar and kneel under the candle-lit tree with its crosses and star...
"this is my body, which is given for you; do this in rememberence of me..."
families kneel side-by-side there in the dim light of candles, partaking of the body and the blood together. silent prayers offered up one by one remind everyone of blessings and grace. we're always a little more quiet, for thinking, as we open the church doors to the snap of cold winter air.
every year, it's imperative that at some point we watch "a charlie brown christmas." charlie presents an excellent point with his frustration that christmas has become too commercial, and a lot of people forget what it's really about. it's not about santa claus, or presents, or even twinkle lights (although i do feel that there should be an entire holiday devoted to those, i'm a huge fan). linus finally tells everyone what it's all about when he gets on the stage with his blanket, under the spotlight:
"there were shepherds, abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. and suddenly, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.
and the angel said unto them, 'fear not, for behold, i bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
for unto you is born this day, in the city of david, a savior, which is Christ, the Lord. and this will be a sign unto you, you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.
and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying:
glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will towards men....(luke 2:8-14)"
so happy holidays, folks, and happy studying for exams (yikes.) a less somber entry is sure to pop up soon, but "oh, holy night" always makes me like this :).
"it's coming on christmas, they're cutting down trees"
around december 24th, i often wish that i lived in some place where all my christmases would be white. but every time we sit down at the long table in the dining room under the candle-lit chandelier, i'm back with amy grant... "i know there's more snow/up in colorado/than this roof will ever see/but a tender tennessee christmas/is the only christmas for me..." christmas eve is my favorite part of the holiday. that's mainly due to communion at my grandparent's church. everyone piles into the cars and we drive through the dark streets to the church on the corner with candles in the windows. we all file up to the altar and kneel under the candle-lit tree with its crosses and star...
"this is my body, which is given for you; do this in rememberence of me..."
families kneel side-by-side there in the dim light of candles, partaking of the body and the blood together. silent prayers offered up one by one remind everyone of blessings and grace. we're always a little more quiet, for thinking, as we open the church doors to the snap of cold winter air.
every year, it's imperative that at some point we watch "a charlie brown christmas." charlie presents an excellent point with his frustration that christmas has become too commercial, and a lot of people forget what it's really about. it's not about santa claus, or presents, or even twinkle lights (although i do feel that there should be an entire holiday devoted to those, i'm a huge fan). linus finally tells everyone what it's all about when he gets on the stage with his blanket, under the spotlight:
"there were shepherds, abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. and suddenly, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.
and the angel said unto them, 'fear not, for behold, i bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
for unto you is born this day, in the city of david, a savior, which is Christ, the Lord. and this will be a sign unto you, you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.
and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying:
glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will towards men....(luke 2:8-14)"
so happy holidays, folks, and happy studying for exams (yikes.) a less somber entry is sure to pop up soon, but "oh, holy night" always makes me like this :).