Happy Holidays verses Merry Christmas/My Thoughts

Well, today is Christmas. Throughout the holidays, every year for the past few years I have been hearing about the "Holidays verses Christmas" argument. A part of me can understand this. "Happy Holidays" does sound rather politically correct, in a way. Yet, at the same time I prefer "Happy Holidays" to Christmas, before Christmas and after.
The reason for this is that from Thanksgiving until Elvis' birthday on Janary 8 I spend time listening to Christmas music. I love listening to Christmas records while I sit at the sewing machine making Christmas presents for friends and family. I am poor, so none of these gifts are anything extraordinary. I always try to put as much love in these gifts as I can. I just think about what everyone needs, look around my sewing room to see what I've got and if I need to add more I just buy the missing items. This year I didn't do this. I allowed politics to get in the way. I feel rather guilty about this. I really feel bad that my mom made a beautiful quilt that matches the colors of my living room. All I made for that side of the family is I took my grandpa's old Navy blanket, cut it up and made wool scarves for everyone. Woo-hoo, lots of effort there. Next year I will get back to making better presents.
To me Holidays is that time leading up to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Pesonally, I think saying "Merry Christmas" should be used only on Christmas Eve/Day. Those are the days to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We should all celebrate Jesus 365 days a year. But my point is that the use of Christmas not on Christmas dilutes the "Spirit of Christmas." Holidays is a mix of Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years. It's a long season of giving thanks to God. Plus going to church, hearing the music and message about Jesus' birth and connecting with those in the community during Christmas Eve services.
After a long absence from church I attended Christmas Eve services. I grew up near Flint and attended Christmas Eve services at First Presbyterian Church. Since Flint is a big city many of the churches have different times for Christmas Eve churches. We would always attend the eleven pm services. After services we would drive through the rich neighborhood in Flint, just off of Miller Road, and see the lights. Since I live in a small town now each church only has one service on Christmas Eve. None of these are at eleven or midnight, not even the Catholic Church has Midnight Mass. If the local Catholic Church ever has Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve I will go there on Christmas Eve. There is a certain feeling of being in church during that transition of Christmas Eve to Christmas Day that can not be explained.
Now of course ya have thee day of the Holidays, Christmas! This is Jesus' birthday. When I was a kid it was about what presents I would get. Now that I am older it's so much more than that. It's about spending time with the ones you love and care about, to celebrate Jesus' birthday. Some of us are unable to be with the ones we love, but give them a call and talk to them. I always love to imagine the looks on my families' faces when they get one of their homemade gifts. I listen to my Elvis records and other Christmas music, remembering all the Christmases of past.
The Holidays should not end as soon as the clock strikes midnight on Christmas. There is still a feeling in the air. I keep this feeling until New Years. New Years is a time to reflect on the good and the bad of the previous year and think about how to change the bad and repeat the good. Perhaps I am weird. But I still like to listen to Christmas music, even after Christmas. Some people take down the Christmas decor right after Christmas, others wait until New Years . As an Elvis fan, I do like Elvis did. I wait until his birthday on January 8. I never want this feeling of the Holidays to end.
In conclusion, keep the feelings of the Holidays even after today and wish someone "Merry Christmas" for the remainder of the day. After that wish them "Happy Holidays." On New Years wish them a "Happy New Years."


Merry Christmas Y'all, from Michigan Redneck, from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan!

A Christmas Story

Just checking in to let y'all know the twenty-four hour marathon of my fave Christmas movie is on. TBS is showing "A Christmas Story" from 8pm tonite til 8pm Christmas night.


Merry Christmas and Don't "shoot your out";)!

Merry Christmas!

In case I do not get back to my blog before Christmas, I want to wish y'all a Merry Christmas! Check out the many Christmas videos I have posted since Thanksgiving.

ELVIS CHRISTMAS CONCERT BY PAUL PHOENIX

Normally I wouldn't post an Elvis impersonator here, but this guy is so awesome. Almost had me fooled. I love this song, "If I get home on Christmas Day." Really puts a tear in your eye.

Christmas Holiday Message

Here is a great Christmas message from a candidate that isn't about alleged floating crosses/bookshelfs, universal pre-k wrapped in pretty paper, ribbons and bows, "happy-ass families" with the prissy perfect wife who is unsure if she wants to be Oprah or Gayle and the cute little kids.



Sometimes actions speak louder than words.

Josh Groban - O Holy Night

This is my fave Christmas song by far.

Happy Ramahanukwanzmas!

Some more Christmas humor. It's political correctness run amok at Christmas.



I gotta admit, this is a rather catchy tune.

Trinity of Holidays

Glenn Beck's statement about the Christmas Holiday's from E-mail.

Since Glenn is off celebrating the holidays with his family, we thought it would be a good time share his essay from the December issue of Fusion Magazine on the "Trinity of Holidays" that happens this special time of year. Remember, today is the last day to subscribe to receive the Jan/Feb issue of Fusion. Order Now.

Trinity of Holidays

Let's talk turkey (and eggnog and noisemakers, for that matter). We're in the midst of the holiday season (no, that's not a PC term; I'm talking about Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's) and I have just one question: Do you even remember what it's all about?

I'm guessing you don't, because we've buried the magic of those holidays under so much noise and irrelevance that we really don't enjoy this time of year -- and we certainly don't grow spiritually from the gifts that are right in front of us. Over time, we've mangled these holidays into unrecognizable displays of gluttony and greed.

Take Thanksgiving, for instance. In November 1789, President George Washington made Thanksgiving a national holiday when he declared that the nation needed "a day of public Thanksgiving and prayer." Somehow, this day in late November that was intended to be a timeout to give thanks to Almighty God has turned into a feast of food and football that has nothing to do with prayer (unless you count praying for your football team to cover the spread, which I obviously don't).

Christmas is intended to celebrate the birth of Christ, but political-correctness and consumerism have mangled it so far beyond recognition that I'm actually surprised when I see a reference to baby Jesus anymore.

January 1st offers the promise of a new start and a new calendar year, but it's become an excuse to party and drink so much that you wake up not even knowing what day it is.

It's no wonder that, after the turkey comas and pine cone needles have disappeared, the only thing left over from the holidays is a bigger waistline and more credit card debt.

I want us to take back the real meaning of these holidays. I don't think it's an accident that they are clustered together; I see it as divine design. Every year they offer us a clear series of steps we can take to become better people.

Step One is gratitude. Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to humble ourselves and give thanks for the many blessings we have. Prayers help us find peace and acceptance with who we are.

Step Two is redemption. If you have seen my Christmas show, you know that I believe Christmas is more about the death of the man than the birth of the child. We celebrate the birth of the baby on December 25th, but the reason for His existence was so His death would cleanse our sins. His journey, from manger to cross, gives us a second chance.

Step Three is hope. The New Year gives us a clean slate, made possible because we've already humbled ourselves, given thanks, and found redemption. You can't succeed in your resolutions if you are still damaged from the past or if they are just a list on a piece of paper.

None of these holidays started out as anything extravagant. Thanksgiving was just a proclamation, Christmas began in a stable, and the New Year has always just been a day on the calendar. But their magic is in what they represent and in the opportunities they give us. They are very simple in their rewards: your grandmother's tablecloth; your child discovering the Christmas tree; the promise of a new year.

The true gifts of the season aren't in a lighting display or a gourmet meal; they are in your heart, and gathered around your table. You just have to take the time to look for them.

Traditions and glittery stuff are fine -- but our souls need attention, too. There is such a thing as a second chance and I hope, if you need one, you will find it this season in all the blessings around you.

Happy holidays from the Glenn Beck Program.

I may not agree with everything that Glenn Beck says, but I do have to agree with each and every word he says in this essay. Check out his website here and sign up for E-mail blasts.

Christmas Laughs with Weird Al Yankovic

With the Presidential politics interupting Christmas , I figured we all need a good laugh.

Weird Al Yankovic -The Night Santa Went Crazy

I think Santa was watching too much politics?

Weird Al Yankovic - Christmas At Ground Zero

Ya have to "Duck and Tuck" to watch this, as you bob your head to the catchy music. Also watch for the cameo appearance with Ronald Reagan.

Why yes, I am white and nerdy, thanks for asking.

In Memory of Dan Fogelberg

Dan Fogelberg passed away yesterday at the age of 56. So I thought I would repost this video of Another Auld Lange Syne.

Nat King Cole-The Christmas Song/Frank Sinatra-Merry Christmas

Woo-hoo! I finally found a vintage classic Christmas song with the actual artist singing on camera. Since I missed posting Christmas a video last night, here are two. I was watching this one of Nat King Cole singing "The Christmas Song" and realized that his mannerisms in the video reminded me of Frank Sinatra. Thus I am posting Frankie singing "Merry Christmas." Am I crazy or do you see the similarities? They seem to have the same charisma.

I just love those old vintage big lights. I am so glad they still make them.

Getting Caught Up on Christmas Music

I went two nites without adding Christmas music. I so owe it to y'all to give some really great music. Thus I must add at least Brian Setzer and Elvis. I will soon figure what is next.

Brian Setzer - Run Rudolph Run



Elvis Presley If Everyday Was Like Christmas



Dan Fogelberg - Same Old Lang Syne (Covers Slide)

Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra - White Christmas

Hey cats! Grab a martini, sit back and enjoy!

Aretha Franklin - Go Tell It On The Mount & O Christmas Tree

Good morning! I missed posting Christmas vids two nights in a row, so I owe it to y'all to give ya a double dose of great Christmas music. Not only are ya going to get a double dose, you will also get to hear a great songstress from Michigan. So without further adoo, here is the one, the only, magnificent, terrific, queen of soul, Detroit's own, Aretha Franklin.
In this video she is singing AND playing piano at the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree. If you don't have tears in your eyes after hearing her version of "Go tell it on the Mountain," "You are a cold one, Mr. Grinch." Don't stop at the first song. I have never heard "O Christmas Tree" sung and played the way she does it, but it is awesome, so soulful and passionate.




And by the way, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Royal Guardsmen - Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron

Enya - Silent Night (in Irish) Christmas Lyrics

1. The Marcels - Merry Twist-Mas/2. The Drifters - White Christmas

One of the YouTube users I subscribe to has this terrific, high voltage, high energy Doo-wop Christmas video posted. I figure that now that Mike Huckabee is tied for first nationally, in the polls, most of y'all just want to jump up out of your chairs and do the twist. So I have added The Marcels'Merry Twist-Mas for tonites X-Mas vid. This video also comes with The Drifters' White Christmas. The Drifters version of this all time classic is my fave, bar none. I favor it even more than the Elvis version. I tried and tried to find an actual video of the Drifters singing the song, to no avail. If you don't know who the Drifters are, oh lo to you.

Interactive Christmas Music/Blue Christmas Elvis and Jon Bon Jovi

Hey, I forgot to add a Christmas video last night. So, what I want to do is add two videos of the same song, two dif great artists. As y'all know, Elvis was the first artist to record "Blue Christmas." First I will show Jon Bon Jovi then Elvis. Please watch both videos in entirety then comment on your favorite. My regular readers may think they know which is my fave version. I may just surprise ya. I will not let ya know until I get at least 10 comments. Here ya go.

Polar Express-Believe

A Very Special Redneck Christmas Episode

I would like to take this time to announce that Sunday or Monday I will be decorating for Christmas and filming it for y'all to enjoy, on YouTube. I will play it here. So join me for Elvis music, decorating the foil tree, eggnog, fire in the fireplace and if I drink to much eggnog singing and dancing. If ya don't watch and leave a comment I'll have a blue...blueblue Christmas.