o night divine

it's christmas eve. there are many christmas songs that reflect on this special night. the one i'm sharing tonight is my favorite.

o holy night - nat king cole from the christmas song

most highly favored lady

our time for sharing holiday seasonal music is coming to an end in a couple of days and i thought i'd wind down with songs that reflect on the central story of christmas. tonight's is a folk song that dates back to the 13th century and focuses on the visitation of the angel gabriel to a young girl who would play a pivotal role in the history of the world. the setting of this rendition of is both lovely and haunting as befits the moment which it recalls.

gabriel's message - sting from a very special christmas, vol. 1

coming home just the way you are

just because i haven't gotten into the holiday mood doesn't mean that i don't wish everyone the best of experiences with friends and family at this special time of year. i thought i should pick a song that reflects this fact, so here's amy once again with a with a slightly more uptempo song from her latest album.

to be together - amy grant from tennessee christmas

fragile like the lives we lead

it's four days until christmas, and i have to confess that the holiday spirit has not really come alive in my heart. i take in the sights and sounds of the season, and while i appreciate how lovely they are, i am not touched or moved as i have been in past years. sometimes life is like that, and you just have to do the best with what you've got, even if at times, it doesn't feel like very much at all.

another merry christmas - amy grant from tennessee christmas

on long christmas eves of old

i wanted a song that was sweet. i think this one well meets that criteria.

an old fashioned christmas - carpenters from christmas portrait

earth stood hard as iron

it is a bitterly cold day here. with these weather conditions and the fact that the celebration of the christ child is so close at hand, i felt this song, which combines both elements, would be most fitting as today's song selection. plus, who wants to miss an opportunity to hear this particularly gifted artist lend her talents to a christmas song? not i.

in the bleak midwinter - sarah mclachlan from winter song

et admirabile sacramentum

years ago, i "converted" to catholicism, and while i would pretty much consider myself to be non-practicing, there is one enjoyment of my time as an active participant in the church that remains with me - the music. tonight's song is a gregorian chant that reflects on the great mystery that is the birth of christ. i first heard it many years ago at an advent concert. it is a cherished memory and one that i appreciate this recording bringing alive for me once again.

o magnum mysterium - linda ronstadt from a merry little christmas