Merry Christmas

Those who know me well, know I am obsessed with Christmas music. I begin listening to my huge collection starting on Halloween each year and sing my heart out for 2 full months. I have more Chrismas CD's than any other genre, from classic Frank Sinatra and Barbara Striesand; Christian artists like Micheal W. Smith and Amy Grant; a few at the time trendy pics like Clay Aiken and *NSYNC; all time favorites like Gloria Estephan, Harry Connick Jr. and Chicago.

I really like my Harry Connick Jr. "When My Heart Finds Christmas" and oddly enough my Ally McBeal Christmas Cd, Robert Downey Jr. does a rendition of Joni Mitchell's "River" that breaks my heart and Chris love's Jane Krakowski's version of "Run, Rudolf, Run" & "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa" I love to sing along with *NSYNC's a cappella version of "O Holy Night" in my car as LOUD as I can belt it out.

I have a few instumental CD's like Manheim Steamroller and Trans Siberian Orchestra and I classify George Winston's December and Canadian Brass Greatest Hit's with my Christmas stuff because they remind me of a winter romance I had in my youth ; )

I have more Amy Grant than any others and love them the best, since I played them over and over when I was in labor with Christopher almost 13 years ago. "Tennesee Christmas", "Breath of Heaven" and "Emmanuel" are my favoite AG's... I think I like her so much since she sings in my key - whatever that is?

In general my favorite Christmas songs are O Holy Night, The First Noel, Emmanuel, White Christmas and The Christmas Song and Winter Wonderland!

Every year I try and treat myself to a new Christmas CD, 2 years ago I happened upon a Third Day "Christmas Offerings" CD that was mis-shelved near the "Kid's Bop" CD's I was looking to buy Chris for his birthday. I though "Okay, this will be the one this year!" I threw it in the cart and tore it open in the car and was enjoying it as I ran the rest of my errands, when "Merry Christmas" began to play, it was like being hit from behind... I had to stop the car... I wasn't breathing... I prayed through my tears... for myself, for all the babies needing homes and for all the families waiting.

I also love my Steven Curtis Chapman Christmas cd's, yet this year, they are making me cry each and every time I hear his voice. Praying for the Chapman family this holiday season.