As the Christmas Spirit gradually makes its way into my heart and mind this year, a lot of things come together to put it there. First, nothing like this scripture really brought the Christmas season to the forefront for me. "And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God." Alma 7:10 I just read that in my normal reading, and it was surprising how much that made me excited for Christmas.
Before that, little bits of Christmas began inspiring me with music. I decided to download a few songs from Itunes. I had a stroke of memory hit me of a certain Christmas tape my parents had when I was a kid. Yep, a tape. I'm that old. I guess it could be worse -- an actual vinyl record or 8-track or something. My little sister and I kept rewinding the tape to hear a certain song over and over. The trouble was, I couldn't really remember exactly what the song was about or its name. Jeff's sister, Lisa, was over, and I began describing it to her. The more I talked about it, the more I remembered. I guess my brain neurons finally hit the right filing cabinet because I remembered it was "Ding-a-ling the Christmas Bell." Bless the Internet because not too many record stores would have a copy of this little song. I promptly burned it on a CD and popped it in my little sister's Christmas card. I hope she likes it. If she's anything like me, she might start dancing a little dance and shouting about a victory. Then, I downloaded "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by BareNaked Ladies, added that to the CD's I imported, and I have a very pleasant little Christmas mix to pop on the IHOME anytime. Enjoying music and its memories has certainly been a fun way to get in the Christmas spirit this year.
Decorating has also hit the spot for Christmas spirit. I was kind of grinchy about it this year. I sort thought it would be fun to put the tree up like on Christmas Eve or something. So Quinton got on the calendar and scheduled it for the 21st of December. Once he scheduled it so far away, I finally gave in to the mess and chaos of decorating for Christmas, but I've been glad it's done.
Jeff was his usual effecient self and got the lights put on the house early, while it was still warm. We bought some fancy snowflake twinkle curtain lights which were a bear to untangle but look extra fancy and nice.
Finally, I declared full Christmas spirit potential, when last night, cuddled in blankets with the kids, we watched, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". I can still recite up to where he gets into town or so, and it really does the trick. Earlier, we had watched Elf together, and while I laughed by head off, it didn't really fill me with memories and sweet nostalgia like the Grinch does.
So that's it. That's the way the spirit of Christmas has found its way into my life this year. It's extra cozy isn't it?
Something New
4 years ago
4 comments:
I don't see you being the type that would not want to put up Christmas. Remember last year when I was teasing you for having all your decorations up still in like Feb.
I guess it has something to do with there being no boats at Christmas time.
Tapes? Seriously? :)
Glad the Christmas spirit has found you, happy and well.
Happy holidays to you and yours!
I do remember my putting in a RECORD of the Mannheim Steamrollers. We have them on CD now, but I remember getting ready to decorate the tree and she would go and put on that record. I think she still has that stereo, so I wonder if she still has all her records.
It took me a while to get in the mood as well, but it sure feels good once you find it!
Well I wasn't happy when Christmas music was playing at Wal-Mart right after Thanksgiving, but now I like it. If we had more snow it might feel a little more like Christmas, right?
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