As the great Yogi Berra said, "It's deja vu all over again"! No, you didn't just jump in a DeLorean and go back a week, you've just entered week 2 of our Christmas salute to this great song written by Allen Story, Anna Gordy Gaye, and George Gordy. Last week we launched our annual salute to the season with the earliest recording of the song we could find. That recording just happened to be by the musical genius Stevie Wonder. If you haven't already, check it out. It's over on the left-hand side of your screen in Tuesday's Musical Notes archives.
Welcome to Tuesday and Tuesday's Musical Notes!!! This is the blog portion of the Cross & Kin entertainment empire that consists of the blog you are currently reading complimented by the visual side of what you are watching every other week over on the Cross & Kin - YouTube channel. Be looking this Thursday (the second-best day of the week!) for a Christmasy countdown from Cross & Kin that you're sure to enjoy.
But for today (Tuesday, you know, the BEST day of the week), this Christmas present surprise is officially out of its snowman wrapping as we continue to salute this great song, explore its special nuances, and see what this very special time of the year means to folks. We hope you like the song, you've got at least 1 more week with it...
Today's iteration of the classic Christmas hit is from Paul Young. (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down" (Ann Peebles/Paul Young)) This prolific artist defined the phrase "blue-eyed soul" for the 80s with his string of top 20 hits, his singing of the opening line on the afore blogged about Band Aid single, Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (Band Aid) and his appearance at Live-Aid. He also joined the surviving members of Queen at the Freddy Mercury Tribute Concert as they performed "Radio Ga Ga". Queen + Paul Young - "Radio Ga Ga"
Paul Young has since been touring and recording with his band Los Paciminos. You read that right, the Brit has gone to Tex-Mex with a talented group of like-minded musicians recording a style of music they love. Young continues to be a staple on "Classic" radio stations that play music of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, you know...the good stuff.
The "Everytime You Go Away" (#1 Billboard Hot 100 (July 27, 1985, Paul Young - "Everytime You Go Away" (Live Aid 1985)) artist recorded his version of "That's What Christmas Means To Me" for the 1992's 2nd edition of A Very Special Christmas, a record whose proceeds went to fund Special Olympics. To date, the series has 10 recordings and has raised more than $100 million for the Special Olympics. 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Sizzle Thinking about these exceptional athletes brings back to mind a line from our featured song...
"...I see your smilin' face Like I've never seen before
Even though I love ya madly It seems I love you moreThe little cards you'll give me Will touch my heart for sure..."
"...all these things and more..oh that's what Christmas means to me my love..."
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In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters." - Genesis 1:1-2
Isaiah speaks; "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord anointed me to bring good news to the humble; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim
"Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. And I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it,” declares the Lord.’” - Ezekiel 37: 13-14
"The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God." -
The Gospel of Jesus according to Luke, a physician, chapter 1, verse 35
Jesus speaks; “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” - Luke 4:18-19
"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever;" - John 14:16
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take from Mine and will disclose it to you." - The Gospel of Jesus according to John, a fisherman, chapter 16, verses 13-14
What does Christmas mean to me? Well, this week again, to put it specifically and very short. Christmas means The Holy Spirit to me.
The Holy Spirit is God. He is the part of the Trinity that draws mankind to the knowledge that they need to be saved from themselves and saved by Him. He is the manifestation of God in those who believe. He is God in us! Well, as long as that "us" are those who believe in what He did and will do. He is one-third of the Trinity with God, the Father, and God, The Son. He was a part of the Creation narrative and has indwelt a myriad of folks who needed "special" help with the things to which God had called them. As you read every page of the Bible, His activity is apparent from page to page.
The Holy Spirit empowers folks to do the supernatural and superhuman acts that we see in the pages of His Word and appears as a still small voice when He is needed to whisper direction and comfort.
He still acts in those ways today for those who believe and surrender to His will. He assists us as we attempt to interpret our lives through this season that is known for great love, yet also known for great distractions. He is specific when we need focus, He is gentle when we need relief from frustration, He is stern when we need discipline, and He is decisive when we are lost. Seek Him as He draws near to guide, direct, and draw you to Himself this season.
The Holy Spirit - That's What Christmas Means To Me
'Til Tuesday,
Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
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