still trying to find the way home

tonight's song echoes the sentiments of this morning's. another song about finding one's way home for the holidays that is just as affecting as the one posted earlier.

admittedly, these type of songs are somewhat difficult for me. they bring to mind a reality that i've seemed to lost.

i can remember listening to i'll be home for christmas as i studied for midterms in my dorm room in college, and even though i went to school only about 10 miles from home, i still yearned for the comfort of home at christmas. in like manner, as i made my way farther from home, i would hear this song, and it made me impatient to get back to where i was from.

this sense of home pretty much came to a halt when i came out as gay to my mother (who really is all there is to my immediate family) right after thanksgiving in 1999. she did not take it well then and still will not accept it as part of who i am.

i did not return "home" for the holidays for several years after that, and actually have not been to see my mother for christmas very much at all over the past decade and a half. to be honest, i feel that i've lost my home.

my mother actually no longer lives in the house in which i spent a good portion of my growing up years; however it's not the change in physical location that makes me feel that i have no home. if the connotation of that word is a place where you are loved, welcomed, and accepted for who you are, then indeed, home has been lost to me.

i keep hoping i will find another someday, and then songs like those shared today will have a place in my heart again.

home on christmas day - kristin chenoweth from a lovely way to spend christmas

if only in my dreams

another popular theme with christmas music is returning to the homestead to spend the holidays with family and friends of old. of all of the songs with this theme, the one i'm posting this morning is likely the most well known and the most popular.

the song was written in 1943, in the midst of world war II and was first recorded by bing crosby. in fact, it was the "b side" for crosby's recording of white christmas (thanks wikipedia). as you would imagine, this song was a very poignant one during the time with so many soldiers being separated from their loved ones.

the version i'm sharing now was first released in 2007, a time when the united states was in the midst of a serious military engagement overseas, and once again separation of families was a very present reality (and still is for many military families). this fact is actually reflected in this song as you will hear several military personnel identify themselves with a message for the people they miss and with whom they long to be.

it certainly is a great reminder that to have a home and be with the ones you love is probably one of the most precious gifts to have at this time of year.

i'll be home for christmas - josh groban from noel

we can all use some more lovin'

and to our rescue comes one of the great voices of our age. she's an artist who makes every song a true experience and she certainly does so here.

i have to admit that it's the type of christmas love song i probably relate more to especially in this time in my life. i know i've certainly mentioned to more than one guy i've taken a shine to that i was going to ask santa to bring me someone like him (or him) for christmas.

i don't see why the gift of a guy to spend time with would be such an unreasonable request. after all, i feel like i've been trying to be a good boy for a very long time.

in any event, close your eyes and allow ms. baker to sweep you away with this declaration of the desire for a christmas love.

christmas fantasy - anita baker from christmas fantasy

time for some more christmas lovin'

one of the fascinating things about the holiday season is how many love songs are set at this time of year. i mean valentine's day is the holiday everyone thinks about when the subject of celebrating love and relationships comes to mind, yet think about how many valentine's day songs come readily to mind.

perhaps it's not really surprising that this season serves as such great inspiration for love songs. the settings of cheerful decorations, intimate gatherings the spirit of joy in the air, and at least in some climates, sitting in front of a roaring fireplace sipping hot cocoa (or something a little stronger) do serve as the perfect backdrop for reflections on the preciousness of love.

anyway, i've already shared some terrific christmas love songs, but this particular song is a favorite of mine, coming from a favorite holiday album. it certainly proves my point about the holiday setting providing inspiration for expressing feelings about love in song. if this one doesn't warm your heart and make you want to hold the one you love close then maybe valentine's day is really more the holiday for you.

christmas, love and you - will downing from christmas, love and you

tidings of comfort and joy with some three kings on the side

tonight's selection follows on the theme of this morning. it takes a couple of traditional christmas carols and places them in a different musical context (and masterfully done at that). i particularly like this performance as it features one of my very favorite singers as a guest vocalist. great music, great singers, great arrangement, what more could you ask for from a holiday offering?

god rest ye merry gentlemen/we three kings - barenaked ladies (feat. sarah mclachlan) from a barenaked holiday

let's get a little jazzy

so today i'm going to post two songs that i find to be great fresh takes on traditional carols. this morning's song has a nice jazz beat to it and the vocal performance is simply sublime. i hope this brings a cool vibe to this busy time for you.

what child is this - vanessa williams from star bright

listen, listen

tonight i'm sharing a beautiful song that i believe captures the essence of what is special about this time of year. as the song says, open your heart and look around and listen. listen closely and be reminded that indeed in so many ways, in so many forms hope and love are everywhere for all of us.

december prayer - idina menzel from holiday wishes