Christmas Music Feature
- Updated Feb 01, 2002


by Mike & Paula Parker
for the Music Channel
at crosswalk.com
When I was a kid, Christmas was the holiday that came after Thanksgiving. Today it starts sometime between Labor Day and Columbus Day, with brief intermissions for Boss's Day, Veterans Day, the Eve of All Saints, Sweetest Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Hanukkah. Between the pumpkins, turkeys, Santas and Frosties, it can be a bit confusing to figure out just exactly when the most wonderful time of the year actually begins. Personally, I still wait for the big football weekend after TurkeyDay before I start decorating. Still, with all those chestnuts for roasting and marshmallows for toasting, it won't be long before we hear the ting-a-ling of silver bells being rung by a thousand street-corner Santas, reminding us of those less fortunate than ourselves. My earliest memories of the season were of the simple decorations in our home. Mom would roll out the cotton batting over the old Philco television set, creating a miniature Winter Wonderland, complete with Santa in his sleigh, and eight teeny, tiny reindeer. Mouth-watering aromas of spice cakes, cherry pies, pecan fudge, and other Christmas confections filled the house, mingling with the sweet tang of pine from the Christmas tree. And on the hi-fi, Bing Crosby crooning "White Christmas," or Tennessee Ernie Ford reverently singing "The Star Carol." Today I've got a wife and kids, a mortgage, and career. There's ballet practice for the girls, guitar lessons for the boy, don't forget to take the dog to the vet, and oh yeah, there is rehearsal for the church Christmas play. With the days crowding in upon each other, and 101 activities vying for my attention, it can be a bit challenging to remember what this season is all about. That's when I microwave a cup of spiced cider, and put a little Christmas music on the stereo. There is just something about those familiar melodies that puts things back into perspective. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Whether you started your Christmas shopping immediately after the 4th of July, or you love the bustle of last minute bargain hunting; whether you brave the crowds at the mall or do your shopping online, there are going to moments during this holiday season when you will be overwhelmed by the rush. Grab a hot cup of cider, put some Christmas music on the stereo, and allow yourself to remember what it was like when you were a kid, or what it might have been like when your parents were kidsor perhaps what it was like one starry night, two thousand years ago when Love was born. crosswalk.com |
Other titles you might be interested in
![]() {{Dennis Jernigan}}: ==Like Christmas All Year 'Round== Here To Him Music | ![]() Touched By An Angel: The Christmas Album Myrrh Records | ![]() Various Artists ==Midnight Clear== ForeFront Records | ![]() {{Michael W. Smith}}: ==Christmas== Reunion Records | ![]() {{Amy Grant}}: ==Home For Christmas== Myrrh Records |
{{Jars of Clay}}: ==Drummer Boy== Essential | {{Anne Murray}}: ==Best of the Season== Sparrow Records | {{Amy Grant}}: ==A Christmas Album== Myrrh Records | {{Martina McBride}}: ==White Christmas== Sparrow Records | {{Janet Paschal}}: ==Christmas== Spring Hill |