T'was the Tuesday 'fore Christmas and all through the land, the folks were all wonderin', what song will it be? What wonderful band? What band will be featured at our favorite blog? What song will be highlighted to make us agog? What insight? What musings? What things will we learn? It's Tuesday! The day for which we all yearn!
Songs of Yultide, inspected, to spread Christmas cheer. Can be found in the archives from previous years. Just look to your right, find December you'll see. The songs of past years, now go 1, 2, 3...
Welcome dear friends, dear friends one and all. It's time for the Notes 'bout a babe in a stall. 'Tis that time of year, can't you tell? Feel the clime? Simply having a wonderful Christmastime!
What could you do with $400,000? That's what you get when you write a song in 1979 and the entire world covers or plays your version ever year in December. Estimated at total earnings of over $15 million, "Wonderful Christmastime" nets Paul McCartney the aforementioned payout each year during the season through covers and royalties on the original.
Depending on who you ask, "Wonderful Christmastime" is either the best or the worst Christmas song of all time. Emotions run strong with both opinions. However, those who hate it, tend to write about it more: "Paul McCartney's Worst Songs" by Craig Outhier, March 25, 2010 - Phoenix New Times
While the members of Wings are in the music video, McCartney recorded it as a solo project. His recording of the song has been added to special editions of Wings Back to the Egg (June 8, 1979) and McCartney II (May 16, 1980). "Wonderful Christmastime" did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, however it did peak at #10 on the Billboard Christmas Singles Chart in 1984.
"Wonderful Christmastime" has been covered many times by artists such as Chicago (featuring Dolly Parton on the 2011 album Chicago XXXIII: O Christmas Three), Jimmy Buffett (2016's 'Tis The Season) and twice by McCartney himself (with Straight No Chaser on the 2013 EP, Under the Influence: Holiday Edition and with Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Seth MacFarlane, Tori Kelly and the cast of Sing! for an a cappella rendition: "Wonderful Christmastime" - The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in 2016)
"The moon is right, the spirits up, we're here tonight, and that's enough."
Have you ever had that Christmastime celebration where it seemed everything fell into just the right place? The presents you purchased were perfect for those who received them. The presents you received were a good balance of needs met and desires fulfilled. There were fellowships and gatherings of just the right frequency as to keep you busy but not exhausted. Everything was perfect.
We ponder the existence of such times. These are the Christmas seasons we hold dear to our hearts. We remember them with such fondness that it seems they were only yesterday. There seemed to be no family drama, no contests for best gift, and no commercializing of the day. It just seemed that we were reminded of the innocence of the day we celebrate and how that innocence focused and permeated our get-togethers.
All of these conditions make for a joyous and wonderful Christmastime. But in reality, it isn't enough. Simply having a wonderful Christmastime isn't enough unless we remember that everything at this time of the year has meaning. There WERE angels who proclaimed the narrative of the season to Mary, to Joseph, and to the shepherds, not just decorations that adorn some of our Christmas trees. There WAS a child born, not just anyone's birthday but, a Savior, born to a virgin. Whose name is called Jesus. Some time after His birth, there WERE Kings who brought gifts, not just nice new stuff wrapped in pretty paper, but gifts that would be representative of the King they were honoring.
The choir of angels sang their song
"Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please Him"
That my friend WAS enough. Enough for the shepherds to go and tell everyone they encountered what they had experienced.
That my friend WAS enough. Enough for a man named Simeon, who had been promised by God that He would see the promised One. It was enough for Simeon to exclaim: "...With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation; it’s now out in the open for everyone to see..."
That my friend WAS enough for those who were waiting for Messiah to come on the scene. Those like Anna the prophtess who waited in the temple for the arrival of The King. "She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers. At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem."
That my friend WAS enough for those who encountered Jesus to exclaim and proclaim what they had experienced and how it had changed their life.
I guess as we, like Mary, ponder these things, the question becomes is it enough for us? Is the story of Christmas enough for our lives to change? Is the story of Christmas enough for us to invest in relationships with family, friends, and folks rather than spend money for things that will wear out, be re-gifted, or wind up in a summertime yard sale? Is the story of Christmas enough for us to want to celebrate with church family every time the doors are open? Is simply having a wonderful Christmastime enough?
We've meddled enough, it's time, let's be done. With thoughts to think over, and maybe some fun. We praise God in heaven for you, you, and you. But now, 'tis the time to wish you adieu. Merry Christmas dear friend, Jesus is King! Merry Christmas dear friend, Oh let the bells ring!! Merry Christmas dear friend, here's a prayer just for you. Dear God, let your story bring change for them, too!!!
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving You,
randy
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