Christmas Songs, Chocolate Boxes and Hopefully a Cheap Flight
Every few years I discover a new favorite Christmas song; this year it’s, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. I thought I knew that song (the title was completely familiar), but I can’t remember ever hearing before. Last weekend we were singing carols at a party and this one came up. I was almost moved to tears. The melody is so beautiful and the words filled my soul with a bittersweet longing for things lost and with a hope of true and lasting peace… the only sort which can come from the Author of life when all wrongs are made right. Here are the words: (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day I thought how, as the day had come, And in despair I bowed my head: Till, ringing singing, on its way, You can click here to listen to a version that I found on youtube. In other happenings, I’m looking online to find a cheap plane ticket to travel to And lastly, we started our Chocolate Christmas Calendar tradition. We have a little Christmas tree that’s made up of 24 red boxes. Yesterday Coie got to go first (they cast lots) so with the whole family gathered round, she took out the “Dec 1” box, which had two Hershey kisses and then turned it around and slipped it back into position. When all 24 boxes are pulled out and reversed it makes a picture of a snowy Christmas scene. After the winner gets their chocolate they pick a Christmas song for all of us to sing. Coie picked Frosty the Snowman. It was sad. We only knew the first two lines and had to make up most of the rest. Pathetic, but very funny. I love this season and I love our little family traditions that make things ‘feel’ like Christmas. Warm and cozy.
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December 2nd, 2007 - Posted in Uncategorized | | 0 Comments No Responses to ' Christmas Songs, Chocolate Boxes and Hopefully a Cheap Flight 'Leave a reply |
on December 2nd, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Christmas Boxes
That's a cute idea.
Don't the numbers on the boxes of the Christmas tree have to be in order so that the picture turns out correctly?
Austin's Parenting With Purpose:
http://parentingwithpurpose.net/
on December 2nd, 2007 at 2:50 pm
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how very astute to notice the irregular order of the numbers. but no, they are random like that because the back can double as a puzzle — numbers in order would make it too easy to solve. That's the order it's in to make the picture complete on the other side.
see you in a couple weeks, Jul!
on December 2nd, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Praying for your dad
and for your situation and especially for you to be filled with peace.
Blessings!
-Jennifer
on December 2nd, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Oops
didn't mean to be anonymous – that last one was from me:)
on December 2nd, 2007 at 5:26 pm
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I will be praying for your family situation. As far as booking flights go I think flying to Alaska is usually not cheap no matter what but I am no expert. I would say to google or whichever you do "cheap flights", check airlines and their prices also. If you are not flying over holidays it will be less expensive. Last minute flights usually cost more. Booking on internet is supposedly cheaper also. One or two stops makes a flight cheaper than a direct flight. Blessings.
on December 2nd, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Cheap flights
I am not the one in my family to look for flights usually, but I do remember once flying on Christmas Eve and New Years day–much cheaper than flying at any other time of the holidays. (I flew to Canada from OR) It was kind of fun too–the flights weren't full, and we got kind of special treatment–it being a holiday.
Praying for good news amongst the bad for you.
Blessings,
Karen
on December 2nd, 2007 at 7:22 pm
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will remember you in prayer. so sorry for more bad news for you.
love the little boxes and the lovely painting.
afamiliarpath.blogspot.com
on December 2nd, 2007 at 10:09 pm
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I love those cute boxes and that very nice little painting you have there. Who is the artist?
As to your flight, last minute is a good deal but those are usually for short trips– like departing on Saturday and returning on Tuesday. You might want to go ahead and take a look. It is slightly cheaper to depart on Christmas Day. Sites like Orbitz, Travelocity, and Cheaptickets usually give an option for flexible dates.
Let me know if you have trouble or if you'd like me to help price tickets for ya!
Love,
Marshie
on December 2nd, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Love that carol!
I have always loved that carol…particularly the verses you bolded!! There have been times when I have felt despair over world events and have read those very lines as a way to remind myself of the truth!!
Thanks for reminding me again!
on December 2nd, 2007 at 11:38 pm
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Praying for your family and dad. It usually is cheaper to fly after the holidays and during the week at night. Check into priceline and make an offer…I usually check average prices and start at 50% on priceline and go up in small increments til I get a good price. HTH!
on December 3rd, 2007 at 3:35 am
Cute advent…uh….thingy!
Can't really call it a calendar now can we? LOL! Cute though! As for tickets, tickets for Christmas are REALLY expensive now, but tickets for after Christmas are probably cheaper now as most people don't have the money this time of year to plan trips in January – all spent out on Christmas! I'd say if you have a good price then go for it! Praying about the 'other' thing. (((HUGS)))
on December 3rd, 2007 at 10:35 am
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Jen,
Thank you for sharing the words to this wonderful carol. I love them. It will make me appreciate all the more.
I will be praying for the situation with your dad and about finding a good flight.
I love the advent countdown.
Ruth
on December 3rd, 2007 at 1:25 pm
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I'm with Coie on waiting to look for tickets until after the holidays. The holidays are such a busy travel time that they charge people more because they know they can. I typically get the best deals if I wait until about two weeks before I want to leave.
The lyrics to that song are beautiful. I don't think I have ever heard it like that before. Although I do think there must be another with the same title because I believe I've heard the title before.
Prayers for your family.
on December 3rd, 2007 at 2:19 pm
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I think someone clever should sell that tree thingy at a bazaar or something. TOTALLY cool. I'd buy one
Emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com
on December 3rd, 2007 at 5:08 pm
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Emily– yep, it is super cool — i bought ours at Starbucks, believe it or not.
Marshie (and all) thanks for the airline tips! and the artist (i'm sure you could have guessed) is none other than Miss Emmiko
on December 3rd, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Transfer Miles + More Advent Photos, Please!
Dear Jen,
I love reading your blog, and I've been thinking about your trip to Alaska. Did you know that others are able to transfer their frequent flyer miles to you? I think a lot of people are unaware of this, but it's true. And, some frequent flyer miles EXPIRE at the end of the year, so it's possible that the person who has them won't benefit from them anyway!
Also: I'm really intrigued by your advent calendar (tree? cubby?). Could you post some more photos from time to time so we can see the picture emerging? I haven't been blessed with children yet, but I love imagining the sorts of things we could start for holiday traditions …
Blessings,
April
on December 3rd, 2007 at 6:16 pm
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hi april, that is neat about the ff miles. maybe i'll luck out and find someone who's looking to use them up!
and are you the same april i met at the writers conference a few years back?
on December 3rd, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Nope I'm another April
Too bad, we've never met! But I have commented here once or twice before.
When you have your flight all spec'ed out, maybe you could post the airline you'd take and that way any of us with excess miles can transfer them to you! You never know who might be looking for the chance to bless you …
Blessings,
April
on December 4th, 2007 at 12:42 am
a note from Rosebuds
“Baby apparel and accessories
with a vintage appeal…”
Hello,
I stumbled across your blog, and I just
wanted to say it is quite lovely.
I hope you find time to stop by….
Love to hear from you,
Rebekah Rose
on December 4th, 2007 at 6:32 am
Longfellow!
What a wonderful hymn from Longfellow, written on Christmas Day, 1864. For years this song has been a favorite of mine. It's regrettable that in our efforts to be "relevant" the Christian church has lost so much of its stirring hymnody.
BTW, for all the parents of daughters out there, let me heartily suggest Longfellow's poem "The Children's Hour." If it doesn't bring a tear to a father's eye, then he's comatose. 🙂
on December 4th, 2007 at 11:04 am
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I love that box tree! I want one.
Always a treat reading your writing, Jen. And your family is so precious.
Many blessings,
Christi
on December 4th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
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I don't have any ideas about the plane tickets, but it does make sense to wait until January. I hope that things work out and please know you are in my prayers.
I love your Advent boxes – what a wonderfully cute idea!
God bless you ~ Julie
on December 4th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
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Your chocolate countdown tree is so cool! It makes a picture, too- neat!
on December 5th, 2007 at 9:05 am
I'm sorry
for the stress. I'll pray for you.
I read that wonderful carol in a poetry book yesterday.
on December 5th, 2007 at 9:06 am
I'm sorry
for the stress. I'll pray for you.
I read that wonderful carol in a poetry book yesterday.
Melissa at Our Side
on December 5th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
That tree looks familiar
I bought the same one last year, but I altered mine. You can take a peak here if you are interested:
http://flickr.com/photos/bondservant4jc/2090290860/
Grace and Peace,
Jess H.
http://www.mainelyamom.blogspot.com