 FROSTY THE SNOWMAN "How can a snowman be 'parse and brown'?" I asked myself after singing Frosty the Snowman as a little girl. I didn't get it, but I didn't have the nerve to ask what it meant. (Years later I learned that the words really are "We'll pretend that he is Parson Brown!") A more disturbing question that little Joanie Pressler had was: "Did they actually 'conceive' by the fire? (Hmmmm. Again years later I discovered the the word "conspire" isn't the same as "conceive.") The words of the often-sung Christmas songs DO have meaning. I also remember the day the words to HARK, THE HERALD ANGELS SANG went from head-memory to my heart. I cried, smiled, prayed, and smiled all at once. It became my favorite Christmas carol. HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING Jesus Christ, God the Son, the second person of the Trinity, willingly left His perfect surroundings with God the Father to be born into this messy, judgmental, chaotic, abusive world. To live with the same limitations of time, space, and to have the same hunger and sleep needs that you and I have. He did this to reconnect imperfect me--and you--to all-perfect God. To demonstrate the character and attributes of God, so I can understand who He is. To give me a second change at life. And to give me hope that I'll live with Him forever. This blows my mind. And thrills me deep inside, every time I hear or sing this Christmas carol.
What is your favorite Christmas carol? Why?  WIN A FREE BOOK THIS CHRISTMAS
(Comment below and I'll choose 3 names (yes, 3 people will win one) out of the hat and send you an autographed copy of my devotional book, "It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life" BEFORE Christmas. (My book reminds me of the classic Christmas movie with Jimmy Stewart, It's a Wonderful Life! Maybe you'd like to give a copy of the book and the movie as a Christmas gift.)
35 Comments
Melissa Davis
12/12/2013 10:57:05 am
"Joy to the World" is my favorite carol. The words of the song: The Lord is come...let earth receive her King. That means everything to me. God is good! 12/12/2013 10:59:32 am
Joy to the World is a beautiful and cheer-filled carol. I love those words, too, Melissa. Your name is "in the hat" for the drawing. :-) 12/12/2013 11:04:53 am
"In the first Light" has become one of my most favorite. The words bring ScrIptures alive in a new way...pictures the STORY I love so deeply.
JoAnne Malloy
12/12/2013 11:28:47 am
I have followed you here for a long time! Loved your loving words to see us as imperfect and loved!!! 12/12/2013 11:53:47 am
Hi JoAnne, Thank you for following "for a long time!" :-) I'm mellowed and grateful that you love the "Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful" message. It's a relief, huh? 12/12/2013 11:50:09 am
Hi, Robyn! Yes, "In the First Light" is a lovely song. Makes my heart sing when I hear it. Your name is added "to the hat" for the free book drawing. Merry Christmas.
Joan C. Webb
12/16/2013 01:28:56 am
Robyn you are one of the winners of the book drawing. I will contact you soon and find out where to send the book. Congratulations!
Lisa Davis
12/12/2013 11:56:07 am
Enjoy reading your posts Joan. Silent Night has been a favorite of my mom and mine since I can remember. It's just a memoring with her at church every Christmas Eve since I was a ittle girl. And we still do the same to this day. 12/13/2013 04:37:50 am
I love this special memory-making tradition you have with your mom, Lisa! You're entered into the contest.
Patricia Groff
12/12/2013 12:29:25 pm
My favorite Christmas carol is One Shining Star. I used to listen to it when I was little when my dad put the record on. Don't know who sings it, but it's melody is real slow and the words are so meaningful. It always make me think about the true meaning of Christmas. I hope I win your book, Joan. I love The Intentional Woman and try to keep my focus daily by using the format. It would be such a joy for me if I won an autographed copy of your new book. Thanks for this chance to win.
Patricia Groff
12/12/2013 12:37:23 pm
The name of the song is "One Star" by the New Christy Minstrels. Just looked it up now. This has to have been about 50 years ago when I listened to it. Just thought you might like to know.
Joan C. Webb
12/13/2013 04:39:34 am
What a lovely memory with your father, Patricia You're entered into the contest.
Joan C. Webb
12/16/2013 01:31:13 am
Patricia, you are one of the winners of the book drawing. I will contact you soon and find out where to send the book. Congratulations and Merry Christmas!
Lois Pepple
12/12/2013 03:08:48 pm
My most favorite Christmas carol has always been Silent Night. I love the words, the melody, and the stories behind it (have heard more than one, interestingly). Of course, I also enjoy silly little ditties like The Hippopotamus song and Deck the Halls. To me, the most meaningful carols are those that tell the story of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After all, if we weren't celebrating His birth, there would be no Christmas.
Joan C. Webb
12/13/2013 04:41:31 am
Sounds like you love the joy of Christmas, Lois. EnJOY this season celebrating Jesus' birth. You're entered. :-)
cicely smith
12/12/2013 08:32:01 pm
My brother told me about these books and I hope to read them soon. I have 5 kids ages 5 to 16 and they love Jesus with all their hearts as do my husband and I. It's important to know that although we love and worship God we are NOT perfect and NEVER will be because last time I checked there only lived ONE perfect man, Jesus. I try to instill this into my children's hearts. Thank you for writing something to back up what I've been trying to teach! ! 12/13/2013 04:43:19 am
Sounds like we're on the same page, Cicely. You have some full and exciting days with 5 kids ages 5-16. :-)
Kimberly Baltzley
12/12/2013 09:29:04 pm
O Holy Night is my favorite. I remember hearing it done in church pageants and being absolutely overwhelmed at the beauty of it. 12/13/2013 04:44:45 am
Oh, Kimberly, that is one of my favorite ones, also. My daughter-in-law sang it and a accompanied her on the piano on the CD we made. Every time I hear it I get tears. You're entered.
Mary Stokes
12/12/2013 11:08:33 pm
O Holy Night! It starts out slow and builds up to a goose - bump conclusion."The weary soul rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees. O hear the angel voices.
Joan C. Webb
12/13/2013 04:45:48 am
I love O Holy Night, also! Mary, you're entered to win a book.
Tessie
12/12/2013 11:54:42 pm
My favorite Christmas Carol is Jingle Bells - just the idea of dashing through the glistening snow - with horses on a destination where family awaits - where love abounds - and I think it just represents Gods amazing creation and love and glory
Joan C. Webb
12/13/2013 04:47:29 am
How truly fun that your fav Christmas song is Jingle Bells. My grandkids like to play it on the piano. And every time I hear it now, I will think of God's amazing creation, love and glory--because of you. Thanks. You're entered to win a book.
Joan C. Webb
12/16/2013 01:30:22 am
Tessie, congratulations, you are one of the winners of the book drawing. I will contact you soon and find out where to send the book. Have a very Merry Christmas!
Jan Herrick
12/13/2013 10:53:19 am
My favorite Christmas Carol has always been Silent Night. God gave His wonderful gift to mankind so quietly! This awesome event would have gone unnoticed if it were not for it being God's only Son's birth. Nothing in our current world is done silently.
Joan C. Webb
12/13/2013 11:02:29 am
My, Jan. You are right. It was a Silent Night when Jesus was born and changed the course of history. And things now days are not done very quietly. I think I'll look at that carol differently now.
Meredith
12/13/2013 11:37:43 am
"Blue Christmas" by Elvis reminds me of my dad, "Mary did you know" always makes me cry, "The Twelve Pains of Christmas" makes me laugh I have to listen to it while putting up my tree & "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" it is not Christmas without it!!!!
Joan C. Webb
12/13/2013 11:52:37 am
Love the variety in your favorites, Meredith. How fun.
Jen Heptinstall
12/13/2013 11:39:12 am
Hard to only pick one, I guess right now it would be O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
Joan C. Webb
12/13/2013 11:53:23 am
Oh, I like that one, too, Jen! Your name is "in the hat."
Patty Brock
12/13/2013 10:26:48 pm
Yes, it's a wonderful life!!! AND the most wonderful time of the year! My fav "He Was Born in the Shadow of a Tree" (Haven't heard it for a while. No longer have the cassette Christmas tape it was on. (sad face)
Susan Eastman
12/15/2013 11:22:48 pm
Joan, my favorite Christmas Carol is O Come All Ye Faithful. Beautiful words with a beautiful meaning! Jesus is the reason for the season! 12/15/2013 11:35:26 pm
Hi Joan, 12/16/2013 12:11:45 am
Hi Joan,
Joan C. Webb
12/16/2013 12:23:32 pm
Congratulations to the winners of my book drawing: Robyn Bloomquist, Patricia Groff, and Tessie M! Thank you all for sharing your comments and favorite Christmas carols. I so enjoyed reading thoughts. Keep it up. :-) Leave a Reply. |
Joan C. WebbWriting, teaching, coaching to empower and set free. |
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