I love Christmas music. I sang in many choir's when I was in my youth. I always loved this time of year as it comes with a set of songs that are only payed this month. I remember loving choir practice and wanting it to never end. I usually have Pandora open with a Christmas station turned on. In the car I have been listening to a radio station that plays only Christmas music. I never get sick of it. This year brings new meaning to many of the lyrics to these songs. I have been doing some Christmas shopping and running around and in the car in the past few days I have heard a few songs over and over like I am being sent a message. There are four songs that I just can't hear without crying.
The first song is Christmas Shoes by Alabama. The little boy is in line to buy a new pair of shoes for his sick mother. The man behind him pays the remaining balance or the shortage that he did not have. He knows his time is running out and knows these shoes will make his mom smile. This little boy wants his mom to look beautiful if she is to meet Jesus tonight.
This song hits home too much this year. I know three little girls right now, one who might not make it to see this Christmas, 2 who are making the most of this Christmas knowing it will be their last. And I know a few grieving families who didn't know last year was the last Christmas with their child. The nightmares that haunt me that one day I might lose my sweet little girl. I just try to shake it off and know its in the Lords hands, to just live each day to the fullest. I pray that those nightmares, most recently last night, are just fears coming out in my sleep. The nightmares are so hard to wake up to. I often think...am I being prepared for something? Hearing this song today hit harder than it did the day before.
The first song is Christmas Shoes by Alabama. The little boy is in line to buy a new pair of shoes for his sick mother. The man behind him pays the remaining balance or the shortage that he did not have. He knows his time is running out and knows these shoes will make his mom smile. This little boy wants his mom to look beautiful if she is to meet Jesus tonight.
This song hits home too much this year. I know three little girls right now, one who might not make it to see this Christmas, 2 who are making the most of this Christmas knowing it will be their last. And I know a few grieving families who didn't know last year was the last Christmas with their child. The nightmares that haunt me that one day I might lose my sweet little girl. I just try to shake it off and know its in the Lords hands, to just live each day to the fullest. I pray that those nightmares, most recently last night, are just fears coming out in my sleep. The nightmares are so hard to wake up to. I often think...am I being prepared for something? Hearing this song today hit harder than it did the day before.
This song leads me to the next song that I can not listen to without crying, A Grown Up Christmas List by Amy Grant.
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start,And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list
My list this year doesn't have one material item on it. I just want a cure, I don't want any more shattered lives. No one to hear you a have a "terminal" condition. I don't want children suffering. I want acceptance and less Judgment. And no more nightmares. I want love more than hate and jealousy.
Here it is again...The song is playing on Pandora as I write this. The tears are just streaming down.
Here it is again...The song is playing on Pandora as I write this. The tears are just streaming down.
The second to last song is Angles Among Us (didn't know it was a Christmas song but it couldn't be more perfect) Also by Alabama
Oh I believe there are angels among us.
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with the light of love.
When life held troubled times, and had me down on my knees.
There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me.
A kind word from a stranger, to lend a helping hand.
A phone call from a friend, just to say I understand.
And ain't it kind of funny that at the dark end of the road.
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope.
They wear so many faces; show up in the strangest places.
To grace us with their mercy, in our time of need.
Oh I believe there are angels among us.
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with the light of love.
I know and feel angles among our family. The words to this song could not be more perfect. Those angles in our lives have touched us and changed us forever. They have taught us how to live, love and give. Those angles have carried us through hard tough times. They have carried us in our fear and sleepless nights.
The last one is Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant
I have traveled many moonless nights
Cold and weary with a babe inside
And I wonder what I've done
Holy Father, You have come
And chosen me now to carry Your Son
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with the light of love.
When life held troubled times, and had me down on my knees.
There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me.
A kind word from a stranger, to lend a helping hand.
A phone call from a friend, just to say I understand.
And ain't it kind of funny that at the dark end of the road.
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope.
They wear so many faces; show up in the strangest places.
To grace us with their mercy, in our time of need.
Oh I believe there are angels among us.
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with the light of love.
I know and feel angles among our family. The words to this song could not be more perfect. Those angles in our lives have touched us and changed us forever. They have taught us how to live, love and give. Those angles have carried us through hard tough times. They have carried us in our fear and sleepless nights.
The last one is Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant
I have traveled many moonless nights
Cold and weary with a babe inside
And I wonder what I've done
Holy Father, You have come
And chosen me now to carry Your Son
(here is where I insert..you have chosen me to be the mother of Presley)
I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now, be with me now
Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy
Breath of Heaven
Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place?
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of Your plan
Help me be strong, help me be, help me
Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy
I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now, be with me now
Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy
Breath of Heaven
Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place?
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of Your plan
Help me be strong, help me be, help me
Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy
This song is special because it remind me of the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus Christ's birth. But the words hit me hard as I often wonder why the Lord has send me such a special little girl. Does he really think I can do this? Does he believe I have I have enough strength? Hold me together Father, lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness!
I'm thankful for music and the role it plays in my life. I have a few songs in my life that remind me of hard times. They are cherished songs. I love how music tells a story or a poem. Music is healing. Music brings comfort. Music reminds us that we are not the only ones going thru this. Music teaches us, if we slow down enough to listen to the message it is sending.
I'm thankful for music and the role it plays in my life. I have a few songs in my life that remind me of hard times. They are cherished songs. I love how music tells a story or a poem. Music is healing. Music brings comfort. Music reminds us that we are not the only ones going thru this. Music teaches us, if we slow down enough to listen to the message it is sending.
Alysa, I have been reading your blog for the last hour. What an amazing woman of faith you are. I took a photography class with Sandy Puc' so I saw your Santa pictures of your children and she mentioned that your daughter had cancer and to read your blog. Kinda hard to read when you're crying most of the time. My heart goes out to your family and the struggles you have endured along the way. I can see the love poured out in your blogs that say; I will not be defeated. I pray for favor, healing and restoration for you and your family. I will be watching your blogs and pray that 2014 will show the world that of Victory!
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