Most days in the motherhood I wonder if anything I’m saying
is getting through amidst the eye rolls, sighs of protest and assorted groans
of complaint. And then there are days
like yesterday. The kiddo and I found
ourselves in the car after school with just over an hours’ travel time between
activities. “I bet you’re going to put
on Christmas music, huh?” the kiddo asked, knowing that while I don’t solely
listen to Christmas music this time of year, the playlist does get some much
needed love during the month of December.
“Would you rather I play something else?” I questioned. “Or do you have something you want to listen
to?” It’s a statement that can lead to
ear splitting disaster but I try to give the kiddo a chance to share his world
with me when possible. Music is a huge
part of our lives and I genuinely care about what he’s listening to and why he
likes the songs he chooses. Yep, that’s
the kind of thing we talk about in this family.
Since the day he was born, I’ve talked about music with him. What I hear, what the story is or means. Why I like or dislike a song, lyrics, beat…
“I want to go with your Christmas top ten,” he answers quickly,
to which I smile because those of you who know my son know this is a set
up. He’s up to something and the game
has begun.
“You know I have twelve, right? Do you want them in any particular order?” I
double check, just in case.
“Nope,” he smiles
“Just let them roll.”
So here it is, my Christmas top twelve. And the game my son wanted to play as we
looped 465 between various appointments?
Why these songs make the list. So
here’s why these songs spell Christmas to me and why the season isn’t complete
until I hear them as explained by the thirteen year old light of my life. Apparently he has been listening.
Better Days (Goo Goo
Dolls) This is a great picture of
how slowing down and keeping it simple this season can help us be
appreciative. This is a hopeful
song. And mom thinks Johnny Resnick has
great hair.
Do They Know It’s
Christmas (Glee version) We need to
keep perspective that the world we live in, what we can see around us here in
the land of plenty, doesn’t represent the world and the way most people
live. This reminds mom of our Horizon
kids in South Africa--Maboke and Mosobudi.
Give This Christmas
Away (Matthew West and Amy Grant)
This is the entire message of the Gospel and the reason Christmas even
matters.
Home This Christmas
(Justin Beiber and The Band Perry)
This one makes mom think about dad because he travels. She worries about that a lot.
Christmas Must Mean
Something More (Taylor Swift) It’s a
song about the real reason for the season that’s upbeat enough it doesn’t make
Gaga (my Grandma) cry.
Mary, Did you Know?
(Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd version)
Mom has a hard time imagining being in Mary’s shoes. She calls this one a classic.
New Kid In Town (Alan
Jackson and Keith Whitley) This is a
great picture of how simple it must have seemed when Christ was born and how
one very common thing changed everything.
Mistletoe (Justin
Bieber) Mom’s guilty pleasure. She likes to dance to this one.
All I want for
Christmas is a Real Good Tan (Kenny Chesney) Mom always jokes that she’s going to run away
to Hawaii by herself. This is like her
personal anthem.
The Prayer (Celine
Dion and Andre Bocelli) This is a
prayer everyone can use and mom thinks the Italian is gorgeous. I say not so much when she tries to sing
along. This one has classic status.
River (Leah Michele) Sometimes this time of year can make you a
bit sad and remind you of things you wish you could change. This is a do-over song set to a gorgeous
Christmas carol with piano. Mom’s a
sucker for piano.
New Again (Sara Evans
and Brad Paisley) It must be a mom
thing because my mom can’t even imagine having this conversation. She can’t get through this one without
tearing up. This is the ultimate mom
classic.
