While the colors of the fall mesmerize me, it's the sights and sounds of the holiday season that enrich my soul. I go about my life all year long in what sometimes seems to be a holding pattern as I wait for October to get here. Crawling through the days until Halloween, I'm slightly surprised to discover I'm annoyed when the stores try to push the season upon us earlier and earlier each year.
You would think I'd jump on that particular bandwagon. The one where retailers are playing Christmas songs while I'm picking out what costume to wear for my annual Trunk or Treat event on Halloween. Then there are the emails bombarding my inbox, reminding me there are only 70 more days to Christmas!
THAT is not what I mean when I say I live for the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Every year around this time I make plans to visit a local amusement park so I can immerse myself in the songs of the season. In years past Dollywood has catered to the need in me to return to a simpler way to celebrate the joys of the holidays. I'm like a child again as I gaze in awe and wonder at a place magically transformed into a wonderland just for me. I surround myself with the glorious sounds of carolers walking the streets and sit mesmerized in darkened theaters as I wonder if Scrooge will ever get the true meaning of this time of year?
I spend weeks prior to now just thinking about those closest to me...contemplating long and hard on just the perfect gift to show them how much them mean to me. How honored I am to have them a part of my life. And I think back to other Christmases enjoyed over the years where I've sat in the glow of twinkling lights as I listen to my favorite carols.
I've come to the conclusion it's the simplicity of a song beautifully sung which touchs my soul the most. The ability to sing is a gift straight from heaven and those who raise their voices during this time of year gives me a small glimpse of what an angels' chorus must sound like.
During this wonderful holiday season I wish everyone could take a moment out of their sometimes hectic, rushed, overwhelmed lives and just listen to the lovely music filling the air right now.
Do you hear what I hear?
(Libera Boys Choir...CAROL OF THE BELLS)
I love Christmas carols, but like you, I only want to listen to them when the holiday season is here--not in October, when some stores start playing them!
ReplyDeleteHi Lara and welcome to my blog! I used to have to shush my son every time he got the urge to burst into Christmas songs in the middle of July...;~)
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!
I like old Christmas songs. But, unlike you, Donna, I will sing them whenever one comes to mind no matter the month.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Janet, but you probably still wear white after Labor Day...;~)
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I like listening to them on the radio when it's Black Friday from New Years Eve because they make me happy, but I will sing them to myself whenever I bring one to mind. They are very catchy.
ReplyDelete"Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays,
'Cause no matter how far away you roam,
When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly face,
For the holidays, you can't beat home sweet home!"
Erik
:)
Hi Erik! You and my sister, Janet, would get along fabulously...you two could have Christmas in July sing offs...;~)
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Hi, Donna. Although Christmas is my most favorite holiday, I do think the stores rush things by starting to put out Christmas stuff in October. I've been known to play a Christmas CD on a hot July day, but that is when no one else is home or I have headphones on. : )
ReplyDeleteHi Susanne! I love Christmas songs at any times of the year but with my hectic schedule I think my aversion to actually hearing them at any other time is because it makes me yearn for now and I know I can't have it...lol...does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!