Sunday, November 25, 2007

Let The Singing Begin!

Now that Thanksgiving is over the Christmas season has officially begun, and my boys are already in the Christmas mood.

We were sitting in church this morning and during one of the prayers the priest was saying, "... and Lord in Your presence...", and Joey's face lit up and he turned to me and said, "Ah! Presents!".

On the way home the boys graced us with their beautiful rendition of Jingle Bells. Joey has most of the words down, but Tommy's version goes like this:

"Jingle bells, jingle bells
Honka, honka way
Oh muss fawn it is to ride
In a hutta hoata fee!"

Joey keeps trying to teach him the actual words, but I must say, I hope he doesn't learn them just yet. I really love his version.

The boys were so happy singing their Christmas songs, and I got to thinking about all the Christmas songs I love. It is such a wonderful warm feeling listening to Christmas music while baking cookies with the snow gliding through the air outside. I just love it.

Here are some of my favorite Christmas songs that always warm my heart.

12- I'll Be Home For Christmas sung by Bing Crosby- Such a sad and sweet song all at the same time. I can't help but think of the troops every time I hear this one.
11- The Christmas Shoes sung by NewSong- Much of the time I have to turn the radio when this song comes on simply because it is one of the most painful songs I've ever heard, and if I don't turn the station I'll end up driving off the road blinded by my tears. Still, it is precious and beautiful.
10- All I Want For Christmas Is You sung by Mariah Carey- Yes, she is a bit of a nutball but the lady can sing. It is a fun song and always makes me want to sing and dance along.
9- Last Christmas sung by WHAM- I know I am a lame-o! I don't know why I love this song so much, I just do.
8- Please Come Home For Christmas sung by Bon Jovi- So unexpected to hear this song from Bon Jovi, and that makes it even more fun.
7- No More Blue Christmases sung by Natalie Cole- Ahhh, this song. Gives me warm tinglies, and is definitely a tribute to my dear hubby.
6- White Christmas sung by Bing Crosby- Another classic by the great master of warmth and schmultz.
5- Miss You Most At Christmas sung by Mariah Carey- Again, she is good. If you are lonely and missing someone around the holidays, this song is for YOU! Or not, depending on whether you want to feel worse than you already do. In my case the answer is always, "yes". For some reason when I am sad, I listen to stuff that makes me even more sad. I'm crazy that way.
4- Grown-up Christmas List sung by Amy Grant- I love singing along with this one, but I never make it past the first verse because I get so choked up.
3- The Christmas Song sung by Nat King Cole- No one else should ever even ATTEMPT to sing this song because they will NEVER be as good as the KING! It really doesn't get much better than this.
2- What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? sung by Harry Connick Jr.- Such pure sentiment in this song. It is one of my all-time favorites.
1- Oh Holy Night sung by my Dad- I know I have mentioned this before here, but my Dad is an amazing singer. Hearing my Dad's beautiful tenor voice sing this every Christmas Eve in our huge church will forever be locked in my heart. Such a gift.

I originally started this list with my top 10 favorite Christmas songs, but I had so much trouble narrowing it down. So, what did I miss? What are your favorites? Did I completely miss the mark on some of these? I'm sure there are some very good ones I forgot to mention. Let me know, and I may have to revise my list to top 20 favorites.

11 comments:

Kellan said...

I like your kids' version also!!! So cute and I love when he thought the priest was saying 'presents' - to cute. I love all the Christmas sons - I guess my favorite would have to be Oh Holy Night or I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas. I liked your list - see you soon. Kellan

painted maypole said...

loved your list. Favorites? oh... too hard to list favorites. my favorite CDs are Manhattan Transfer and a mix of folks like Sinatra and Bing Crosby. I love the really old hymns like "Of the Father's Love Begotten" as well as all the usuals. And Dave Matthews has a great Xmas song. And silver bells, love that, too.

Family Adventure said...

The first time I ever heard The Christmas Shoes I was driving in my car...and I had to pull over because the tears were blurring my vision. It can still do that to me, but now, at least I'm prepared;.

I love Silent Night, Holy Night.

Heidi

Family Adventure said...

The first time I ever heard The Christmas Shoes I was driving in my car...and I had to pull over because the tears were blurring my vision. It can still do that to me, but now, at least I'm prepared;.

I love Silent Night, Holy Night.

Heidi

Kat said...

PM- I agree, no one can sing Christmas songs like Sinatra, Crosby, NK Cole, Fitzgerald and all the other oldies.
Heidi- How could I have forgotten Silent Night? That is definitely one of my favs. I prefer that one to be sung by a choir. Sooo good!
Kellan- I had a hard time not laughing out loud in church when Joey thought the priest said "presents". Funny what a kid will pick up.

OHmommy said...

Awww, your son is too cute. And how cute are you mentioning your father as one of your favs. I too, am in LOVE with Christmas and everything that comes with it.

LunaNik said...

yes that bon jovi christmas tune! i love that one! U2 also does a great christmas song...can't remember the title though. and i'm a big fan of elvis christmas songs...yeah, yeah, okay, you can laugh, but i heart elvis!

Kat said...

ohmommy- my Dad seriously is great! He could have easily been a pro singer. He is somewhere between Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Dean Martin. He rocks!
Lunanik- Ahhh, Elvis. How can you not like Elvis? He does a great Blue Christmas, doesn't he? I'll have to search for the U2 Christmas song. I LOVE U2!

JEWELGIRL said...

I heard his O Holy Night back in
the 1990's at church, he was Fab.
He had excellent reviews for his
singing parts in the community
theatre also. Definitely a
crooner for his day!!!!!!

Unknown said...

How funny. I was literally just downloading Christmas ringtones to my cell. I got Grandma Got Runover by a Reindeer and Adeste Fidelis. Lord, I'm ecletic, no? I almost got White Chrismas with Bing, but figured two was probably enough.

I LOVE WHAM -shh. don't tell.

You should hear my son's version of the Hail Mary. Bess it is fruit.....HAHAHAH FRUIT??? And, come on K! The priest did say presents! It's better than yelling God Bless Underpants, like mine pulled...

Juliana said...

Hi Katryn,

Wow..you have nice kids. I also SAHM of 1 son, 15 months. Just drop by for the first time :) You have a nice blog.

Words To Live By

Be grateful for each new day.
A new day that you have never lived before.
Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.
We can squander, neglect, or use them.
Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
some blunders and absurdities crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be
encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson