Christmastime!

I can't believe Christmas is almost here. I just did my first shopping spree today. It's always a mad dash at the end for me because with this being the slow season in the real estate market, we have fewer closing checks. I am usually waiting on the green light from Matt and it never comes early. This song is my very favorite Christmas song. I love the sound of the orchestra and the choir and the nostalgia of Michael W. Smith's voice. I grew up in Nashville where we were blessed to visit the Tennessee Performing Arts Center on a regular basis and hear amazing concerts and see great shows. My dad always got tickets for Christmas shows from work and we LOVED going as a family. Also, Michael's kids went to my school and he led our chapels quite often, so I literally grew up on his music. Tennessee Christmas's were the best. I have wonderful memories of my childhood. When I hear this song, it takes me back to that time in my life...even though it's one of his "newer" songs. Isn't it crazy how music and smells can just throw you right back to another time and another place almost instantly? My dad LOVES music. I grew up on a variety of great stuff like The Eagles, Christopher Cross, Bread, England Dan & John Fortcoley, Alabama, Ronny Millsaps, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie... Oh my goodness, it drove my mom nuts! But he also loved Christian music. He used to get up on Saturday mornings and throw on Wayne Watson or Phillips, Craig, & Dean and just listen to the same song over and over again. That REALLY drove her nuts. But I fell in love with music because of him and for that, I am extremely thankful. I LOVED growing up around Christian artists like Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Amy Grant. I never took it for granted and I miss it terribly. I hope you are enjoying this season of Christmas and reflecting on all of the many blessings that we have here in the USA. I am so thankful for my freedom...that I can worship my God openly and freely without fear. Our pastor reminded us yesterday of many people around the world who do not have that same freedom. There is a Christian pastor (husband & father to 2 little boys) in Iran who is on trial right now and may lose his life because he will not renounce his faith in Jesus Christ. Have you heard of this story? You can find it on www.foxnews.com I can't imagine how difficult that would be. It's something all Christian's will face eventually. I don't know about you, but I wonder just how long it will be. Maybe not in my lifetime, but I think for sure in my children's...