Music Minute - Holiday Shopping Rush Edition!

Well, here we are again! Y'all, I don't know about you but I cannot *believe* it's already December 10th. I've only bought one gift, I haven't bought Christmas cards...at least I have my tree up. (I have two cats who love Christmas like you wouldn't believe. Their holiday rule is "One kitty must be sleeping under the tree at all times.") Things are hectic. So maybe you're looking for some tasty holiday music to put you in the Christmas spirit, and I'm here to help with two new releases. And next week I'll be back with an extra column about some unusual (for you, probably) Christmas music and why you should check it out.

DecembeRadio released a Christmas EP called Comfort & Joy. And wow, their acoustic-rock version of "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen" is amazing. If you haven't already heard it on the radio, check out the myspace link for a preview. Layers of vocals and instruments make this often-overlooked-as-stuffy hymn come alive with a gorgeous, full sound that will put you in the holiday spirit. We hear there's also a cover of Chuck Berry's classic "Run Run Rudolph" on the album, so be sure to check it out!



And for everybody who loves the sound of BarlowGirl's harmonies, there's Home for Christmas, an album of traditional Christmas carols. Minimal arrangements, string accompaniment, and soaring vocals combine to make you hear these carols in a whole new way. We like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," because, well, as Christmas carols go, we think it's one of the best.



There are so many things to love about home, family, and friends at Christmas. When you're decorating the tree, smelling the cookies baking, saying grace with your family, singing Christmas hymns and carols, or throwing snowballs at your brother, take a second to remember a little child in Bethlehem sleeping in a manger. I am pretty old compared to y'all, but I never get used to the idea that of all the ways God could have come to earth to show Himself to us, He decided to become a baby. Let Christmas remind you that God loves you. And have yourself a merry little Christmas.