LIFE IN BLOOM

Learning How to Flourish in God's Grace

Author Archives: erin.almond


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My Five Favorite Christmas Songs

I think that as I get older, I am less inclined to be excited about Christmas music.  After all, singing “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” just doesn’t have the same appeal that it had 20 years ago.  Nevertheless, there are some Christmas songs that will always be near and dear to my heart.  Check them out (in no particular order):

  1. O Holy Night– The words of the song always tap right into my faith, and speak to me.  It generally doesn’t matter who sings it, so long as they CAN sing, but Mariah Carey’s version, along with John Legend’s version are two of my favorites.
  2. Silent Night (by the Temptations)– Enough said.  It’s beautiful, and it’s a classic.
  3. O Little Town of Bethlehem– This was one of the first songs I learned on the piano when I was four years old.  I remember it because it was in my “Charlie Brown’s Christmas” sheet music that someone gave me as a gift.  As I’ve grown in my faith, the words of it mean so much more, but as a child it helped to pique my interest in music and my study of the piano.
  4. This Christmas (by Donny Hathaway)– Is an explanation needed?  Again, it’s a classic.
  5. O Come, All Ye Faithful– I honestly just feel that this is a beautiful song.  I’m often moved when I hear “O come let us adore him…”, wondering if in all the things that I do, if I actually demonstrate adoration for God.  Hmmm..

Just thought I’d share my five favorite Christmas songs in the spirit of the Season.  What are your five favorite Christmas songs?


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Reflecting on Christmas

Yesterday, I attended the Christmas program hosted by the church that I attend here in Roanoke Rapids.  Quite a few of my students and colleagues attend the church as well, and were participating in the program, so it was an enjoyable experience.

The Christmas program’s theme was “Christmas Around the World”, and the program displayed celebrations from Zimbabwe, Ireland, France, Argentina, and the United States.  It was a beautiful way to demonstrate that God’s love is truly for the world, regardless of how it is celebrated.

The celebration caused me to reflect on how we think about Christmas, and how it, along with Christianity, is promoted in the media.  I’m often frustrated when people display my faith as one that is hateful towards others for a variety of reasons.  I feel like far too often we hear John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believe in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life), but we hardly ever hear the next verse, John 3:17 (“For God sent not his Son to the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved).

God’s gift to us is Jesus, not to condemn us, but to save us.  Christmas should be a time of joy, as we reflect on the most precious and thoughtful gift that we’ve ever been given.  It is not a time to down others about their faith, or lack thereof.  The best way that we can promote our faith is by upholding the same tolerance, love, grace, and kindness that God has shown to us- not just by His gift, but in our daily lives.

Until next time…