The Best Christmas Songs You've Never Heard - Part 5

There are classics and standards that we're all familiar with when it comes to Christmas songs. But what about those new little gems that we may not be as familiar with? This month I'm highlighting a few of my favorites, even if it is a couple of days after Christmas.

SONG #9 - The Last Christmas Without You, Sixpence None the Richer

The first time I heard this song I was nine months pregnant and waiting to go into labor at any moment. It made this song very special to me.

SONG #10-23 - The entire SheDaisy Christmas album, Brand New Year

Okay, so it's not a single song, it's a whole album. Some of the songs are classic carols but they all have a brand new twist. This album is just fun. It's also not as hidden a gem as some of the others, especially if you're a country music fan, but this is a fabulous album. A mix of reinvented traditionals and totally brand new songs, it's as festive as the season itself. I like the album so much it was hard to decide which song to highlight off of it. I decided to go with The Secret of Christmas. (As a side note, I was going to use Twist of the Magi, a hilarious duet with Rascal Flatts, but there wasn't really a good YouTube video with it.)

I hope you've enjoyed discovering some new Christmas music with me. Be sure to share some of your own favorites in the comments!

The Best Christmas Songs You've Never Heard - Part 4

There are classics and standards that we're all familiar with when it comes to Christmas songs. But what about those new little gems that we may not be as familiar with? This month I'm highlighting a few of my favorites.

SONG #8 - Are My Ears On Straight, Gayla Peevey

This is an old one, but a good one. My mom had this one on a tape from when she was a kid and I have always thought it was such a fun song for Christmas. One of my favorite Christmas presents ever was a stuffed animal. I always wanted to believe that he loved me as much as I loved him. The popularity of the Toy Story movies proves that everyone wants to think of their toys loving their owners. This is that same little girl that sang the song we all know about hippopotamuses. I haven't met anyone else who knows this song, though.

Since it's Christmas Day, I thought I'd throw a couple of surprise presents in as Honorable Mentions. These two are songs you've heard of, but maybe not quite like this. They make me smile.

HONORABLE MENTION #1 - Blue Christmas, Porky Pig

I have no idea if this is actually done by the guy who did the voice of Porky Pig or not, but I have trouble caring. It's just funny.

HONORABLE MENTION #2 - The Christmas Shoes, FM Static

I've never been a huge fan of this song, although many people are. This is a different version that made me smile.

The Best Christmas Songs You've Never Heard - Part 3

There are classics and standards that we're all familiar with when it comes to Christmas songs. But what about those new little gems that we may not be as familiar with? This month I'm highlighting a few of my favorites.

SONG #6 - Not That Far From Bethlehem, Point of Grace

Do you ever wonder what it was like for Mary and Joseph making that trip? I've had three kids and let me tell you - I didn't even want to walk across the room much less across the country during my ninth month. I can just imagine Joseph reassuring Mary, "We're almost there, I'll help you make it." And then such discouragement at not finding lodging but such joy at a healthy baby boy. Beautiful. And to think, we're never far from that same Savior.

SONG #7 - Strange Way to Save the World, 4Him

We think a lot about Mary. After all, she was the one lugging a pregnant belly around. But lately I've been hearing more songs about Joseph and I think that's great. The task of fathering the Savior of the World had to be daunting. As this song points out, it's really hard to imagine that helpless little bundle that you instantly love so much being the conduit God would use to save the people of the world.

The Best Christmas Songs You've Never Heard - Part 2

There are classics and standards that we're all familiar with when it comes to Christmas songs. But what about those new little gems that we may not be as familiar with? This month I'm highlighting a few of my favorites.

SONG #3 - I Celebrate the Day, Relient K

This song embodies the reason I absolutely love Christmas. I do not want to imagine what life would be like if Jesus had not been born (and by extension died and rose again). And yes, I know, no one really knows what day Jesus was born, but I like celebrating it at Christmas.

SONG #4 - Welcome to Our World, Chris Rice

There are a lot of Christmas songs about Jesus, but like the Relient K song above, this song is sung to Jesus. It's a wonderful telling of the sentiment the world should have had when the Savior came to earth. While it would have been nice for Jesus to get a proper welcome when he was born, at least we can express it today.

SONG #5 - While You Were Sleeping, Casting Crowns

This song starts with looking at how Jesus slipped into the world, unknown and unexpected. IT ends with a call for us to realize that the same thing could happen in America when Jesus comes back. Very powerful. 

The Best Christmas Songs You've Never Heard - Part 1

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year. I LOVE Christmas even more than chocolate, and that, my friends, is saying something. I particularly love Christmas music. It's been playing at my house since November 1. There are standards we all know that have been made into 1500 different versions. There are classics that get played over and over, whether we like it or not. (Side note: I once heard a radio station play Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer every fifteen minutes until they raised a certain amount of money for a local charity. Funny!)

Then there are songs. Wonderful little nuggets that might get lost amongst the old standbys. For the month of December I'll be highlighting a few of those. These have become some of my favorite Christmas songs, though they fly under a lot of people's radar.

SONG #1 - The Night Before Christmas, Brandon Heath

I love this song because it captures the real meaning of the gift of Jesus. We were disconnected from God, lost without hope, and floundering in sin, but then Jesus came and everything changed. What a fabulous reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

SONG #2 - Born in Bethlehem, Third Day

These two songs go well together as The Night Before Christmas tells of the need for Christmas, this song pulls together the story and glory of Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope all of you are having a fabulous day filled with whatever makes you and your family special and happy. I experimented with making cinnamon swirl pancakes for my family's brunch this morning. The results didn't look a thing like the picture I found on the internet, but they sure were yummy!

Because of the holiday, I won't be putting up a new installment for Fiction Friday this week. We'll have to wait until next week to discover what's in the box! So instead of leaving a comment about Olivia's story, throw in what you're thankful for.

I am thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and my loving, supportive family. What about you?

Traditional Smaditional

Thanksgiving is only two days away. I hope you are planning a wonderful long weekend doing whatever you need the most. For some of you, it's visiting family that you haven't seen in a while. For others, it's opening up your home to share your blessings with friends. Then there are others, like me and mine, who really need a weekend to do nothing.

December is crazy hectic for us, like it is for a lot of families. This weekend, no one expects us to be anywhere, do anything, or talk to anyone. It's a fabulous opportunity to retreat and recharge in preparation for the frenzy that is December.

photo by scubadive67 on Flickr

I am fortunate enough to have family that is somewhat local and we'll be meeting up with them to stuff ourselves with turkey and dressing. Lots and lots of dressing. In my family, the dressing takes center stage. At times over the years the turkey has been switched out for ham or even barbecue, but the dressing... All out mutiny would occur if my mother did not make dressing. She makes the equivalent of a full size sheet pan every year. There are no leftovers.

So this year, forget traditional. I have never in my life seen a whole, cooked turkey carved at the Thanksgiving table, and I am just fine with that. Your family traditions don't have to be traditional. They are the things that bond and define your family and friends and make the holidays truly special. This year, throw traditional out the window and make some of your own unique traditions.

What are some of your unique family traditions?