Our elementary school likes to be politically correct. Our Christmas program is now the "holiday" program. In their effort to not offend anyone, they've actually offended the majority of community members by trying to take Christmas out of the holidays. Sure, we get a sign here or there but generally the program is very secular and many years it's had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Christmas.
This year I went to the dress rehearsal of the program. I noticed that my daughter was singing some song she'd made up about an Irish man and an American man because they were supposed to be representing St. Stephen's Day in Ireland. This holiday is actually religious but it was difficult to see that on stage. After the rehearsal my daughter came home and I talked to her about the song. We then decided she'd sing, "Silent Night," instead. She practiced all afternoon. (I still don't know why she was dressed up as an alligator).
After her performance many people, including her music teacher who had put the program together, complimented her. Her teacher said the song "touched her soul." I was so proud of her. The song was so sweet and, for a moment, reminded all of us about the true meaning of Christmas.
Showing posts with label Christmas Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas Music. Show all posts
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Grandpa's Christmas Music
We've now collected enough Christmas music that I can turn on the CD player and listen to it all day without repeating a CD. I love Manheim Steamroller. I can listen to that music over and over and over again.
With all the great Christmas music we have, including some new favorites like Alan Jackson's "So Let it Be Christmas," my ultimate favorite music is what my grandpa used to play. Most of the songs are from the Big Band era. My grandpa was a DJ of sorts, back in the day. He used to play music for wedding receptions and parties. He built these enormous speakers--5 ft tall by 3 ft wide--and he had at least 1000 albums. We've inherited all of that. Grandpa had hoped my husband would carry on the DJ business, but we simply didn't have the time.
Grandpa loved music. He didn't play any instruments and he didn't sing, but he loved to listen to the famous bands of the day. And he loved Christmas music. He created a reel-to-reel tape of his favorite songs and that's what he'd play during the season, especially on Christmas Day. Before we could open any presents (I lived with my grandparents) he'd start the "Christmas Tape." Then we knew it was officially Christmas.
We now do the same things with our kids. We make them wait to come downstairs until we have Grandpa's music playing because it isn't really Christmas without that music. I'm sure it's because of all the memories that are wrapped up in those songs, but I never tire of hearing them. I'm thankful we were able to capture all of those songs from the reel-to-reel so that each year I can enjoy the music that was such a part of my childhood and I can share that with my kids.
With all the great Christmas music we have, including some new favorites like Alan Jackson's "So Let it Be Christmas," my ultimate favorite music is what my grandpa used to play. Most of the songs are from the Big Band era. My grandpa was a DJ of sorts, back in the day. He used to play music for wedding receptions and parties. He built these enormous speakers--5 ft tall by 3 ft wide--and he had at least 1000 albums. We've inherited all of that. Grandpa had hoped my husband would carry on the DJ business, but we simply didn't have the time.
Grandpa loved music. He didn't play any instruments and he didn't sing, but he loved to listen to the famous bands of the day. And he loved Christmas music. He created a reel-to-reel tape of his favorite songs and that's what he'd play during the season, especially on Christmas Day. Before we could open any presents (I lived with my grandparents) he'd start the "Christmas Tape." Then we knew it was officially Christmas.
We now do the same things with our kids. We make them wait to come downstairs until we have Grandpa's music playing because it isn't really Christmas without that music. I'm sure it's because of all the memories that are wrapped up in those songs, but I never tire of hearing them. I'm thankful we were able to capture all of those songs from the reel-to-reel so that each year I can enjoy the music that was such a part of my childhood and I can share that with my kids.
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