What's on my mind? Christmas songs are on my mind! I've been doing this song-a-day countdown for so long (this is my 8th year!) that my awesome friends were messaging me with song suggestions and posting on my facebook wall about their excitement before I even started! I LOVE it!
December 1st: To kick off December, I'm starting with Cal's favorite: Jingle Bells. Whenever she hears it come on, she stops what she's doing and says, "This is Jingle Bells! I LOVE Jingle Bells!" So this one is for her, a classic (with a twist).
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December 2nd: Angels We Have Heard on High is probably my favorite Christmas song ever. ("Probably" because I have a hard time committing to such things as favorites.) I have some silly rules for myself with this countdown, and one of them is to not to repeat a song during the month (even if it's a different version). But I'm bending the rules this year for this one (spoiler alert: you'll hear it again!), because a friend sent it to me before December even came, and I feel like that itself deserves a play. Also, it's in French. So it's different. ;)
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December 3rd: I don't know when I first heard this tune, but I've always been intrigued by it. And then when (my all time faves) the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed it in their Christmas concert a couple years ago, I knew it would make my countdown list someday. Today is the day. I hope you enjoy the orchestra, the choir and the dancing. Triple whammy of awesomeness.
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December 4th: Yesterday in primary the kids, learned When Joseph Went to Bethlehem. It made me chuckle that the goat cheese line is still the highlight, and there always has to be a discussion about Joseph being "awed" not "odd". (Same story when I first learned it in primary oh-so-many years ago.)
Also, aren't these kids in Sigapore the cutest? (I'll forgive them for leaving off the last little verse: And close beside the manger bed, he dimmed the lantern’s light, And held the little Jesus close upon that holy night.)
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December 5th: This is a delightful little rendition of Up on the Housetop, the version I listened to growing up on my mom's Reader's Digest records (they're a treasure!). Unfortunately the only youtube video I could find also has weird piano music stuck on the front and back ends of the song. So, start at 0:36 (where the link will take you), and you can finish listening at 1:55 when the singing ends. ;)
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December 6th: I checked out the John Denver Christmas album from the library the other day. (Yes, I did.) I'm a fan. Here's one of my favorites: White Christmas.
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December 7th: This video is a bit (a lot?) awkward (poor Richard Carpenter seems really nervous on camera, and I really can't blame him because I'd feel the same way!). But just listen! It's a fantastic arrangement. My favorite parts are at 0:20 where it gets bold and big (right before the window singers pop in), and then again at 0:44 when it goes a little syncopated and jazzy. Good stuff. If you can get past the nerves. ;)
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December 8th: Another Christmas album I checked out this month from the library (seriously, the library is the best thing ever invented, I'm convinced) was Glenn Miller's In the Christmas Mood. This jazzy little rendition of Frosty just makes me smile. For some reason, I really love the bari sax down beats during the thumpity thump part at ~1:02. Ha! Anyway, enjoy this version, and maybe do some swing dancing in your kitchen like I just did with Gregg when he walked in to get some lunch. 😍
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December 9th: Today I'm up early (before the rest of the house) with a sore throat (boo). But that means I get to listen to Josh in peace (I'm willing to bet that his throat isn't sore!) without causing Gregg's ears any discomfort (he's not a big fan, to put it nicely).
I love this version, especially the gospel choir part. So much goodness!
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December 10th: I love this song. It is beautiful by itself, but when you add in the story of the prodigal son on top of it, I think it's just a really lovely piece of art with an important message. Happy Sabbath!
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December 11th: Kurt Bestor's Christmas album always brings back Christmas memories. I never knew the words to this song (besides the opening line which is also the title). I love them!
Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse's lineage coming, as men of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.
Isaiah 'twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind;
Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind.
To show God's love aright, she bore to us a Savior,
When half spent was the night.
The shepherds heard the story proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of glory was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger they found Him,
As angel heralds said.
This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;
True man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us,
And lightens every load.
Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse's lineage coming, as men of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.
Isaiah 'twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind;
Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind.
To show God's love aright, she bore to us a Savior,
When half spent was the night.
The shepherds heard the story proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of glory was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger they found Him,
As angel heralds said.
This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;
True man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us,
And lightens every load.
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December 12th: I was looking for a different Amy Grant Christmas song the other day, but when The Night Before Christmas popped up on youtube and I started listening, I knew I had to use it instead. I wouldn't say it's my favorite of hers (there are others that I did find that I like more, and I'll use them in future countdowns, for sure), but hearing this was like a huge flashback to my childhood and it was so fun to remember all the words and the little nuances. I haven't heard this song for years, but it was all still there. Haha.
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December 13th: Oh, Jack Johnson. His voice reminds me so much of college (my chemistry lab partner introduced me to his music and I have loved it ever since!) And he sings Christmas songs, too! (Which I didn't realize till well after college, it turns out. But I still like him.)
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December 14th: I have always loved this song. When Jon Schmidt plays it, it is subtle and peaceful and quiet and angelic. When I hear it, I want to sit in the light of a Christmas tree with a warm blanket and just be still.
The words are lovely, too:
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan;
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain,
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty —
Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom Cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom Angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.
Angels and Archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air;
But only His Mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am? —
If I were a Shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part, —
Yet what I can I give Him, —
Give my heart.
The words are lovely, too:
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan;
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain,
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty —
Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom Cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom Angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.
Angels and Archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air;
But only His Mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am? —
If I were a Shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part, —
Yet what I can I give Him, —
Give my heart.
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December 15th: I don't have much commentary about this one I just like it. I vaguely remember learning Jingle Bell Rock as an elementary school kid, but I'm quite sure it didn't sound quite like this a capella version. Voice Male just makes me smile. :)
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December 16th: I had this song planned out weeks ago, but guess what it did today? It snowed! (You're welcome.)
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December 17th: This may be the first actual repeat song in all my years of count downs. The only problem is that I can't tell for sure since the link I used back in 2012 doesn't exist anymore. But this is my favorite version of Once in Royal David's City, so it probably was the same version I chose back then. And I figure if I can't remember, then nobody else can either, right? Anyway, it's worth repeating. I love it (as do many other Thornleys, if I remember correctly).
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December 18th: I just love this one!
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December 19th: Here's one for my marshmallow queen sister, Heather. I think she is a Dean Martin fan, too, if I remember right. Bonus!
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December 20th: I had a different song planned out for today, but ever since Sunday, when a lovely group of ladies in my ward sang this as a special musical number in church, I knew I had to share it sometime. (It's been in my head ever since.) Today is the day. I've known the tune of this for years because of Jon Schmidt's Christmas Album (maybe I'll include his version, too, as a bonus - it's beautiful, too). Anyway, I wish I had a recording of the women in my ward, because it was sublime, but this version I found of the UofU Singers is pretty nice, too. Enjoy!
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December 21st: Oh how I love this voice. I think Perry Como might be my favorite of all the old Christmas voices.
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December 22nd: Ever since I discovered the Raffi Christmas Album a few years ago, it has made a yearly appearance in my library bag. I really love the syncopation in this little tune - a simple story about the little joys and big anticipation of Christmas Eve. I still have a hard time going to sleep on Christmas Eve because of the excitement!
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December 23rd: Today I give you a Romanian carol, chosen by Gregg. I think it's so fun and Christmasy sounding, even if I don't know what they're saying. ;)
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December 24th: I love this song and the story it tells. My favorite verse is this one:
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”
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December 26th: Merry Christmas! I was so busy enjoying the day and then so tired I forgot to post my last countdown song. But Christmas came just the same. :) I hope your day was joyous and filled with the good things of the season. Here's my every year season finale: Angels We Have Heard on High, this time by The Lower Lights, who are just so fun.
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