…until Christmas.
Charlie Brown: Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?
Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
Lights, please.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’”
That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
I’m actually in Jasper right now, but being a resident of the state of Washington I still felt inclined to quite possibly be the first Seattleite to ever wish you a Merry Christmas.
In Seattle, ‘Happy Holidays’ is the norm though Christmas is everywhere: The Christmas tree of lights which sits atop the space Needle, the boats and floating houses covered in lights… even in our Starbucks ‘Christmas Blend’ flavors which fill the shelves and cups). However, I know very few who take off Tuesday to celebrate ‘holiday.’
While a few in Seattle might not know how to celebrate Christmastime, we do… so, Merry Christmas from Seattle.
I fly to Birmingham tonight, and baring any freak snowstorms in St. Louis, I’ll be able to make it to the showing of Christmas Vacation at the Alabama Theatre. If you haven’t made a trip yet into downtown Birmingham, now’s the time.
It’ll be a busy few days but I hope I’ll get a chance to bump into as many of you as possible before we depart.
This time of year (beginning about, oh, 4 days ago) is the slowest time of year on the blog. People are on vacation… spending time with family/friends… spending 5 hours in the Galleria searching for gifts, only after they spent 3 hours searching for a parking spot. We understand as we’re busy as well. However, that doesn’t mean the blog takes a break.
The blog will be on “auto post” for the majority of the next 2 weeks, which means that I’ll be feeding the beast jars of grape jelly and Twizlers. Treat the beast with respect and test the parameters of the updated comments section (ie-which words I’ve ‘blacklisted’).
Christmas Holidays:
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We’ll be home in Jasper from on December 21… in Jackson, MS on Dec 22 for David Ash’s wedding… back to Jasper from Dec 23-25…. then to Hattiesburg from Dec 25-28.
New Years Holidays:
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We’ll be in London from December 29-January 2, opting to ring in the new year along the River Thames. Posting will be sparse, but I’ll try to throw up a couple of photos if I get the time.
OK, maybe not all. And, well, I’m sure this isn’t quite legal either, but they’re all here until the networks catch on.
A sample of what you’ll find:
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It’s a Wonderful Life
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Frosty the Snowman
…not to mention…
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The Office: Christmas Party
The Flinstones Christmas Episode
Christmas Unwrapped: The Truth About Christmas
I know it’s a little late in the game – though if your December has been as busy as ours has then you’re trying to enjoy the holidays as much as possible – but I would like to recommend 2 CDs you must buy this season, and 1 you must not buy this season.
Michael W. Smith : It’s A Wonderful Christmas
One of the best Christmas CDs I’ve ever purchased. A few tracks are entirely instrumental, and act as a perfect ‘driving around’ soundtrack. It was also one of USA Today’s ‘Top 12 Christmas ALbums of 2007′.
Josh Groban : Noel
Pretty much what you’d expect: great music, great vocals, great CD which will never grow old.
DO NOT BUY…
Mannheim Steamroller : Christmas Song
I’m a huge fan of Mannheim Steamroller, though their most recent album is absolute crap. It sounds like a bad spin-off of bad elevator music. It’s such a shame… we won’t get another CD for at least 2 years, which, could also be just as bad when the time comes.
