...And I love it! We have our lights up, our tree, our decorations and we are ready!
What’s your favourite Christmas movie? I love A Charlie Brown Christmas. On the other hand, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas used to scare the heck out of me when I was a child, and he still does. I am still uncomfortable watching it! I really like Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, the old stop-action animated one where the characters are felt or clay. I like A Christmas Carol, too, but I can’t say which version I like best. I think that the movie The Nativity Story is one of my new favorites. Perhaps I am biased because of my faith, but I think it is a very well made, impeccably acted and visually compelling adaptation. I think anyone could appreciate it, even if they are not particularly religious. It’s directed by Catherine Hardwicke, who most recently directed the blockbuster Twilight. Check it out.
What’s your favorite Christmas music? I have so many favorites. Away In A Manger, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by the Pretenders, 'Zat You Santa Claus by Buster Poindexter, Little Drummer Boy by David Bowie and Bing Crosby, Put The Lights on the Tree by Sufjan Stevens, Ave Maria by Joan Baez….and of course, Christmastime is Here from the Charlie Brown special.
I will miss a few of the holiday traditions we enjoyed in Central Florida. Visiting Donelly Park in Mt. Dora, and enjoying the magical wonderland of lights and eating dinner at Vincent’s! Plant Street in Winter Garden was also lovely! I will miss driving by the decorated, old southern mansions in Oakland, some tasteful and some kitschy, but all a delight to the eyes. I will miss my dear family and friends there! I will not miss my dog-tired feet from working the retail craziness at Bealls, but I will miss my old co-workers. Last year I was so busy with my job and having some extra children in the nest, it was a very good Christmas overall, but a little crazy and stressful, too. God bless them (((J & T))), every~one!
I am looking forward to new traditions here in the Keys. I hope to visit the lighted boat parade in Key West. I have never seen a boat parade before, let alone boats with lights and decorations. That should be fun. I’m also told that the lights in the prayer garden of San Pablo are beautiful; I can’t wait to see them. We are having a candle light service on Christmas Eve. I look forward to some down time with my family, and to reflect on the season in a quietly joyful way this year.
Blessings, Ya'll!
5 comments:
My favorite Christmas movie is "A Christmas Carol" and the version is the one made in the 50s. I don't have it in front of me right now, but it has been colorized, and that's what I like.
Music has got to be the one "The Carpenters" made many years ago. Karen Carpenter was an especially talented person.
Yes, Mount Dora is certainly beautiful when all lit up during the Christmas season. The town square is done up nicely again this year.
OOOh, I like the Carpenters, too!
Pastor Ron, I hope you and your bride, and the rest of your fam. have a Merry Christmas!
What a fun post! I hope you'll post some pics from that boat parade and also from the prayer garden; I'd love to see.
You prompted me to blog on my own favorite Christmas song..well, one of them anyway ;-)
Charlie Brown gets my vote for fav movie ...but I also love "A Christmas Story' because it makes me laugh so much ...
Hmmm, can't find my last post. I remembered a couple more items to add to your great post. For the movie, it's got to be "Earnest Saves Christmas" and the music has to be anything by "Mannheim Steamroller."
The bride is busy still putting up decorations, and we're getting ready for our Christmas play, and several parties. Whew! BTW, I just wrote about Christmas plays and political correctness gone amok.
Are you completely ready yet? Is all your shopping done? Have you baked any goods?
PastorRon:Are you completely ready yet? Is all your shopping done?
Big Daddy and I have a little bit of shopping to do together. Born of necessity and present circumstances (pun intended), we are having a very modest Christmas. It has been surprisingly less stressful than years past. During previous seasons, despite them being times of abundance or lean times, I found myself caught up in a buzz of fret of one kind or another. I worried that I didn't have enough means to cover everything I needed to do, let alone wanted to do. In times of abundance, no matter how well intentioned, I got myself so busy doing more and more and more. This year it is so simple. Everything else is stripped away. It's truly like the bible story of Mary sitting a Jesus' feet, contrasted with Martha rushing around and serving. I have the basics covered: a lovely tree, a few gifts. Now there is just time to enjoy my family and reflect on Jesus being at the heart of the season. I am seeing that now more than ever, I mean really seeing it and experiencing it. Perhaps age is mellowing me. Perhaps years of feasts and famines have finally made me imperturbable. My faith in God's Providential Care has become unflappable. Is the Lord pulling all of the nonsense and materialism from me? I'm thinking yes. I am just being still and quiet and enjoying. I know it's a rambling answer to your question, PastorRon, but I had to answer it in that way.
Have you baked any goods?
Yes, we have been baking! We made cookies for the inmates and guards of the local jail. And also enjoying the baked goods others have dropped off!
Amy- a Christmas Story is hilarious.
PastorRon, I have not seen the Earnest Christmas Movie, but I’ll have to check it out now. My Mom loves the Manheim Steamroller Christmas CDs! It reminds me of Disney’s Electric Light Parades.
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