Greetings to you in the name of the ‘soon and coming King’, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! What a beautiful late Autumn morning in the Kingdom. I trust that you have had a grand week with a variety of adventures and conversations and surprises…and answered prayers. I pray that you are looking forward to the weekend and opportunities to meet with your church family – be it a church dinner or Sunday worship or a quiet personal word with a brother or sister. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to touch your emotions and memory in such a manner that all that is good and positive will overwhelm you with joy, hope, and restoration.
Yes! it is new release Friday…and once again there were no ‘cd’s’ that caught my attention-well, maybe one. However I have been listening to a variety of Christmas albums – hearing 6 or 8 renditions of perennial favourites – ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘Mary Did You Know’ and ‘Little Drummer Boy’ and others. I often look for new songs, wondering if they have what it takes to last for a few decades and become classics.
This year I have heard a few special songs. I really like all of Johnny Reid’s Christmas album; and ‘Circle of Love’ by Jennifer Nettles; and ‘Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep’ written in 1954-released for the movie ‘White Christmas’-sung originally by Bing Crosby; ‘Christmas in Heaven by Scotty McCreery; and ‘Let it be Christmas’ by Alan Jackson; and ‘Sure Could Use a Little Good News’ by Anne Murray; and, of course, ‘Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer’.
This morning I am listening to a variety of country western singers perform their Christmas songs…and I am thanking God for the gift of music and reminding myself that the original Christmas story is surrounded in song. I guess the Gaither song – “He started the whole world singing’ is so true. Next time you hear a song that makes you smile or remember or think…say ‘Thank you’ to God — and sing along!
Have a great weekend and be blessed!