It’s almost time to say, “Happy New Year!” The year 2010 has been an interesting one! But it’s time to change the calendars and look ahead to 2011!
During 2010, I started this blog! I have enjoyed being able to share my thoughts and those stories that attracted my attention! I look forward to more next year!
Okay, Christmas has come and gone–I had a good one, thank you! We have less than a week left of 2010 and before New Year’s Day ushering in 2011. So, what is this time of year called?
I like to refer to it as “Tween” Week, the time “between” Christmas and New Year’s. Of course, I still play holiday music and enjoy Christmas information and other activities.
Because it was a “Christmas Weekend” here in the DC area, a lot of the radio stations that switched to holiday music played it through Sunday as well as Saturday, Christmas day. I really appreciated that. For me, I won’t stop thinking about Christmas until we’re firmly into January. In fact, my Mom used to leave the tree up until Presidents’ Day in February, so I’m used to a long holiday season.
Now that we’re into the three-day Christmas weekend (love that!), I thought I’d share some songs at the very top of my favorite holiday music lists! Here goes:
I love the European melody for “Away In A Manger,” and I enjoy Judy Collins‘ version best:
The holiday is fast approaching, and I notice some interesting thoughts bouncing around inside my mind.
We never traded presents on Christmas. Maybe that’s one reason why I remain so passionate about the holiday.
Oh, that’s not to say that we didn’t give each other useful gifts like a pair of gloves, a calendar for the next year or a small gift certificate occasionally.
But that’s not what the holiday was about to our family.
As one who used to travel extensively around the holidays a lot (when my Mom was still alive), I can vouch for the fact that folks drive particularly crazily this time of year. We’re in a big hurry and have little time to get things done, so we speed way up. Don’t give in to that temptation! Why? Check out this article form the National Post:
>>Christmas: The Deadliest Day Of The Year: Study
A new U.S. analysis of mortality rates during different times of year found that people are more likely to die during the holidays — notably on Christmas and New Year’s Day — and researchers cannot explain the yearly spike.
After analyzing all official United States death certificates over the 25-year period between 1979 and 2004, a trio of sociologists identified an excess of 42,325 natural deaths — that is, above and beyond the normal seasonal winter increase — in the two weeks starting with Christmas. View full article »
One of my favorite parts of the Christmas story deals with Joseph, who became Mary’s husband.
Joseph plays a very unique role. Apparently, he’s an older man who is supposed to wed Mary, a much younger wife.
When he discovers that Mary is pregnant before he marries her, he decides to cancel the wedding quietly. But God in a dream tells Joseph just what He’s doing, and Joseph continues with his plans to marry his spouse-to-be.
Joseph provides for Mary and her Child during the birth and afterwards as Jesus matures. Eventually, quietly, he passes from the scene, most likely dying due to old age.
What fascinates me about Joseph was that he played a vital role in Jesus’ life, and yet he never appeared in the spotlight, as it were. He was content to do what was needed in order to accomplish what God and Jesus wanted.
Next weekend will include Christmas Day! Where did this year go?
Continuing with my holiday weekend tradition, here are some videos of my other favorite seasonal songs:
You’d think a Broadway musical based on the Marvel character Spider-Man would crawl to the top of the heap. But technical problems, including injuries to cast members trying to perform the complicated and dangerous stunts, keep this show from moving forward. Here’s the latest:
>>Spider-Man On Broadway Creator “Happy” About Delayed Opening
Julie Taymor is not concerned about postponing the opening of Spider Man: Turn Off The Dark from January 11 to February 7, 2011.
“We’re happy about it,” Taymor told me last night in an interview. And why not? Even in previews, as a work in progress, Spider Man is a hit. It’s playing at 98% capacity, taking in almost $1 million a week.
Do you spend as much time in front of your computer as you do watching television? Then you could be an American!
According to NewsCore via myfoxdc.com, here’s the story:
>>Americans Use Internet As Much As Television, Study Shows
Americans now spend as many hours online as they do watching television, a new Forrester survey released Monday showed.
More than 30,000 media consumers were interviewed for the study, which showed that, on average, Americans spend about 13 hours a week on the internet and the pass the same amount of time watching television offline.
