The Christmas Song List

As many of us probably are this week, I am writing this week's list with a very heavy heart.  What happened in my neighbor state of Connecticut last Friday was unbelievable, unbearable.  We can't believe that someone could do something like that to anyone, let alone kids so little.  But the fact of the matter is, kids are being hurt everyday.  Even that same day, there were young children stabbed in China.  It just breaks my heart, especially as a mother who loves her son more than anything.  We need to take a stand and make sure that not just our own children, but all children, are safe.  I'm not sure how, but I hope I can help in some way.  This particular tragedy hits home not just because CT is so close, but also because I have some family in Newtown who lost friends that day.  Please keep the people in that community in your prayers, as well as people in other communities who have lost so many loved ones.  Especially so close to Christmas.

I was thinking about something Blake Shelton said on The Voice on Monday night (very lovely and classy opening number by them, and by SNL last Saturday, by the way), that we need to heal, and music has the potential to heal.  I find this in many aspects of my life.  I wanted my music list (this week's Listicle suggestion) to be a celebration, and to be about kids, because Christmas really is all about the children -- in all of us.  On that note, I present to you:

JOSH'S FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONGS
1. "Jingle Bells" - Isn't this the first one we all learn?
2. "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" - Of course!
3. "Holly Jolly Christmas" - This one has raised several questions, like "What's a cup of cheer?" and "What's mistletoe?"  We have to listen to three versions of this in the car: first by Allan Jackson, then Lady Antebellum, then his favorite -- Michael Buble.
4. "Jingle Jingle Jingle" - A very catchy tune from the Rudolph special.
5. "Frosty the Snowman" - He used to call him "Salty."  Maybe that's Frosty's beach sand cousin?
6. "Twelve Days of Christmas" - He has no idea what the words are, so he makes up his own.  And it's hilarious.
7. "Must be Santa" - I don't know this one very well, but he learned it in school.
8. "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" - We both LOVE this Christmas special.  He thinks about this one a lot and tries to psycho-analyze the Grinch.  Like me, he loves that the Grinch turns around at the end and is nice and happy.  I wish this always happened.

Josh sings "Jingle Bells"

That's pretty much all for Josh, so we'll throw in a few of mine.  I have so many. :)
1. "In the Bleak Midwinter" - An odd one, maybe, but I have always loved this song.  There's something beautiful about it.  James Taylor does a wonderful version of it on his Christmas album.
2. "What Child is This?," "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," "The First Noel," "O Holy Night" - Love their melodies.
3. "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" - The Casting Crowns version.  Love it.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.