Favourite Holiday Music?

[Starling]

Ooooooh.... Christmas music...

the holidays are my favorite part of the year, and much like ebony, it's for
the music -- although the sight of my family's christmas tree, all decorated
and glowing with lights still has the power to bring me to tears -- it's
just too beautiful.  (we decorate with ornaments saved over the years -- our
tree is basically the family history.  it's very personal for us.)

As for songs, a few people have mentioned the John Denver and the Muppets
christmas CD -- yeah!  That has been a favorite since I was a kid.  I also
love the Nutcracker -- my best friend danced Klara several times when I was
a kid, so whenever I hear it, I picture her dancing.  I also love Mannheim
Steamroller's albums -- anyone who hasn't heard their work, they get fairly
heavy radio play in the states.  Some of their stuff is a bit cheesy, but
they have heartbreakingly beautiful versions of "O Holy Night" and "Silent
Night" -- I could go on and on, but I will satisfy myself by *highly*
recommending their CDs, especially "A Fresh Aire Christmas."

As for my favorite song of all -- it's off the John Denver/Muppets Cd --
"Noel - Christmas Eve 1913"  -- I'm not particulary religious/observant (I
am what my pastor calls a Christmas-Easter Christian) -- but this song just
hits something in me, especially the last two lines.  Anyone who has this CD
can prolly understand why I love it so.

A frosty Christmas Eve
When the stars were shining
I traveled for the Lord
Where westward falls the hills
And for many many a village
In the darkness of the valley
Distant music reached me
Peals of bells were ringing

Then sped my thoughts to olden times
To that first of christmtses
When shepards who were watching
Heard music in the fields
And they sat there and they marveled
And they knew they could not tell
Weather it were angels or the bright stars a-singing.

But to me heard afar
It was starry music
The singing of the angels
The comfort of our Lord
Words of old that come a traveling
By the riches of the tides
And I softly listened as I stood upon the hill
And I softly listened as I stood upon the hill.

Now my question -- those who don't celebrate Christmas -- do you enjoy these
songs?  Or are you just tired of the barrage?  (Granted, Rudolph gets
wearing after a while).  Do you have favorites -- and what about you who
celebrate Hanukkah?  Any good Hanukkah songs?  The only one I can think of
is that "Dreidel" song we learned in kindergarden :).

Abbie, who is going to take her dinner in the living room to eat under the
tree.
starling823 at yahoo.com
" 'Not to worry,' she said.  'All you have to do is walk straight at the
barrier between platforms nine and ten.' "
Sorcerer's Stone


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