Tag Archives: christmas music

Six Days til Christmas

Less than a week to go! Are you getting excited? Now that we’re in the home stretch, it’s time to take care of details. Do you have Christmas music? If not, you can pick up a CD or you can find some holiday music online and play it from your computer. Bookmark a site ahead of time so you don’t have to search for it during the festivities. While you’re on the computer, look for a nice, holiday wallpaper or screen saver too. You may have music stations as part of your satellite or cable TV package as well, so … Continue reading →

The Time-Life Treasury of Christmas

Ten years ago I was on bedrest due to complications in my twin pregnancy. During my many hours of TV watching I kept seeing ads for The Time-Life Treasury of Christmas. I’d never bought anything off TV before, and I haven’t since, but I’m glad I got these CDs. The treasury comes with two discs and a total of forty-five Christmas songs. Even though my twins are almost ten, these Christmas CDs are still played a lot at our house. I don’t remember what I paid for it, but it was worth every penny! Some of the singers are from … Continue reading →

A Holiday Celebration – CD – Peter, Paul & Mary

We finally got our tree decorated last night. Our traditional music for decorating the tree is Peter, Paul, & Mary’s A Holiday Celebration. The kids sometimes make fun of my other Christmas music, but not this one. Peter, Paul and Mary really have a timeless folk sound. They are accompanied on this CD by the New York Choral Society. This CD includes songs I’ve never heard anywhere else. “The Friendly Beasts” is a fun song that tells the story of the animals who participated in the first Christmas. The “animals” take turns singing. The listener hears the cow who gave … Continue reading →

The Power of Christmas Music

We’ve been taught about the power of hymns to bring us closer to the Savior. As I’ve been driving around town running my errands the last few days, I’ve also found that certain Christmas music also has that power – the car is one of the only places where I’m really able to listen to music and hear the lyrics. I’d like to share with you a couple of my favorite Christmas songs and explain just why they impact me so greatly. The first is “O, Holy Night.” I have loved this hymn for as long as I can remember. … Continue reading →

Winterlude: Instrumentals for Contemplative Christmas

Winterlude: Instrumentals For a Contemplative Christmas is always the first Christmas CD I listen to. The gentle and peaceful songs ease me into the holiday spirit. I don’t break out Christmas albums until after Thanksgiving, but this one usually doesn’t even get put up in the Christmas boxes. It’s also usually the last Christmas music of the year. The songs truly are contemplative. I like to listen to the CD while cooking or decorating. Even if the kids are playing loudly in the next room, this music relaxes me and makes me feel quietly festive. Winterlude is a gentle, relaxing … Continue reading →

Radio Stations Temporarily Change Format

I do not know if you have experienced this or not, but here in Jacksonville, North Carolina, we have had two stations that have gone from their normal format to 24 hour Christmas music through the holidays. It seems to be a growing trend! In fact, there are approximately 399 stations in the U.S. that have temporarily changed their formats and are playing Christmas music constantly. Portland, Oregon has two stations, but some cities – I am assuming cities like New York or Los Angeles – have as many as five stations doing this. Most stations begin their “new” broadcasting … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Christmas Music

It’s not that I am a Scrooge or anything but I hate Christmas music. I didn’t always feel this way, mind you, but somehow over the years I have developed this loathing for Jingle Bells and all other manner of holiday musical cheer. Seems to me that immediately the day after Thanksgiving– out comes the Christmas music. Today while shopping, Christmas music filled the air. I thought I was going to hurl. I tried to be patient but it was driving me batty. I actually walked out of KB Toys to avoid another verse of, “I’m Dreaming of a White … Continue reading →

What Do You Like about the Holidays?

Many people are happy when the holidays arrive, because they get the chance to spend time with family and friends. With the busy lives we lead today, it isn’t too often that we have a chance to gather everyone together in one place for celebrations. This may be one of your favorite parts of the holiday season as well, as it is mine, but what else do you like about this time of year? I love that faith is celebrated regularly throughout the holiday season. Even those who rarely make mention of it tend to be more involved in their … Continue reading →

Christmas Music & Motivation

Yes, it’s more than a little early, but I love Christmas music. When it comes to working out, sometimes the choices in music that you make can help you really rev up your performance and your enjoyment. While Christmas itself is still 8 weeks away, you might consider incorporating a few Christmas songs in your iPod mix or compilation CD. Most forms of art, including music, can stimulate endorphins in the brain. It’s why music can be very uplifting, it can bring tears to our eyes or put a smile on our faces. Christmas music is often very uplifting and … Continue reading →