30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 20 - Heartfelt Holidays

Heartfelt Holidays is one of the CD's in our collection, that is a collection itself.  Every song is by a different artist, from varying styles and eras.  This album made its way into our home over ten years ago, purchased through Bath & Body Works, of all places!

The album starts off with Andy Williams crooning "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."  Lou Rawls follows up with a jazzy "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town."

Now, quite a few albums have some setting of "Santa Baby," but Eartha Kitt seems to be the ultimate artist for this song.  You can't help but imagine this sleek, sultry "Catwoman," as she tries purr-suading Santa to "hurry down the chimney" and leave absolutely everything.

Nat "King" Cole once again is gathered into a collection CD, with "O Holy Night."  Of course, He does a smooth and splendid rendition.

Judy Garland is the only voice I can ever imagine singing, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."  She beautifully delivers that wish.

I am not that fond of "Little St. Nick," but the Beach Boys give a great performance of it here.

Variety.  Variety in artists.  Variety in songs.  Variety in styles.  If you enjoy that kind of variety, you will enjoy Heartfelt Holidays.

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 19 - Tony Bennett's "Snowfall: The Christmas Album"

Tony Bennett is one of those classic singers from recent decades that cannot help but be pleasing to the ear.  He has a very smooth, endearing sound for any age.

His album "Snowfall" is a great Christmas collection that can please several generations of the family.

The CD begins with "My Favorite Things," to which he gives a fine male voice.  (Sorry, ladies, for female voices you cannot beat Julie Andrews; but Tony gives an outstanding masculine vocal.)

"The Christmas Song" is next, and Tony does great with this, too!

The album includes a track that combines "I Love the Winter Weather" and "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm."  Again, his smooth, classic cool style is wonderful!  (I'm still kind of partial to Dean Martin on "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," but this is thoroughly entertaining.

Even Bing's numbers, like "White Christmas" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" have a fabulous sound when Tony croons them.

Since the 1990's he has been introduced to a completely new generation of fans, and that rekindled fame is well-deserved.  "Snowfall" is a case in point.  

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 18 - A Very Special Christmas

Well, for some of you who have commented, I am finally posting my agreement that this is a great assortment of songs to add to your Christmas collection: A Very Special Christmas!

This disc, I believe, debuted in 1990.  Just a few words on a few tracks.

The album begins with the Pointer Sisters' exhilirating "Santa Claus is Comin to Town."  The Eurythmics follow that with a rather techno "Winter Wonderland."  Whitney Houston's "Do You Hear What I Hear" breathes a little life into what can often end up being a sleeper on other albums.  John Mellencamp gives his distinct style to "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."  

Of course, I have alluded before how much I enjoy Sting's rendition of "Gabriel's Message!"  It sounds  like it is soaring in the stone arches of a Medieval cathedral.

This album will be a lot of fun, both for the person who likes fresh twists on old songs, as well as the rock fan in your house. 

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 17 - NBC Celebrity Christmas

We have a number of compilations in our Christmas library.  One of those compilations is the NBC Celebrity Christmas, realeased in 2001.  While not all of these celebrities are Harry Connick, Jr.'s or Michael Buble's caliber, they are entertaining.

Sean Hayes ("Jack" from "Will and Grace") sings "The Christmas Song."  He does fine, but is no Nat "King" Cole.

Notable mention goes to Bebe Neuwirth and John Lithgow, with "Baby, It's Cold Outside."  That is probably the best track for the album, and for me, their playful rendition made it worth the purchase.

"The Coventry Carol" is sung by Alex Kingston (Dr. Elizabeth Corday on ER.)  She does a fine job on this sorrow-filled lullaby for one of the Holy Innocents.

While not our favorite, this CD does provide some nice variety for the Christmas season.

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 16 - Our Christmas

In 1995, a collection of various CCM artists put together a Christmas album that is a nice addition to our library.  The disc begins with Michael W. Smith's "Reve du Noel."  ("Sing we now of Christmas; sing we all 'Noel'...")

Three tracks in is my favorite, a song I had not previously heard; "One Small Child."  David Meece sings this hauntingly beautiful song.  (I have heard others sing it since, and most do not do this song justice.)

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is arranged on the album with a rather Jewish "sound," in the woodwinds.  This hymn has been a favorite of mine since I was around seven.

"Angels We Have Heard on High" almost has a fun, glee club/a capella sound (although it is accompanied.)  

"God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" has been another favorite of mine, as long as I can remember.  Guess I am just drawn to Rennaisance era and other Old English sounds.

I am not debating here the issue of CCM styles in other contexts.  That is not the point of this blog post.  But as a Christmas CD to simply enjoy at home or in the car, this is a nice addition.  

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 15 - The Sinatra Christmas Album

Among the "classics" in Christmas music libraries is "the Chairman" himself, Mr. Sinatra.  This collection is from a great era when most Christmas albums were not afraid to be Christmas albums, were full of sacred carols as well as fun-filled secular numbers.

His version of "Jingle Bells" is one of the greats.  You are sure to have heard his fun spelling out of "J-i-n-g-l-e - bells" in the opening.

With "The Christmas Song," the version ingrained On everyone's mind is that of Nat "King" Cole.  Yet, Sinatra does a fine job, as well.

"The Christmas Waltz" presents a great and flowing rendition of that "song of mine, in three-quarter time."

The truth and joy of the Christmas message are witnessed in "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Adeste Fideles," "Silent Night," and more.

In Bethlehem, the House of Bread: A Christmas Hymn and a Eucharistic Hymn

In Bethlehem, the House of Bread,
Jesus was born, the Church's Head.
Within the Church, the House of Bread,
Those born in Christ His flesh are fed.

The Babe wrapped up in swaddling clothes
Wraps up His Church, that she, enclosed
Within His flesh and blood may be
Clothed with divine humanity.

Archangels, angels, saints above,
Magnify Him who came in love,
To call the hungry to His Feast,
From north and south, from west and east.

The manger held the God of life,
Who came to swallow sin and strife.
Christ, let my tongue Thy manger be,
That I may swallow life in Thee.

His mother's flesh, which Christ assumed,
Is by His Virgin Bride consumed.
The Word made flesh makes her His own,
Joined flesh to flesh and bone to bone.

Born in the darkness of the night,
The Father's uncreated Light,
Illumines us with earthly wine,
Full of the glow of blood divine.

O God made man, make us in Thee
Partakers of divinity.
Feed us Thy flesh and blood, we cry;
Fill us with Thee, O God Most High.

Chad L. Bird
2001

To be sung to the tune Bethlehem,
by Burnell F. Eckardt, Jr.
2001

First published in the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany 2001 issue of Gottesdienst.