Longing for Christmas

It is October 29th, and Halloween festivities are in full swing.

But my mind is far from Halloween. I do not know why, but I am longing for Christmas right now. I have no clue why. Scenes from "It's a Wonderful Life" keep popping up in my head, and I want to watch it, though I always make the deal with myself each year that I will only watch it on Christmas Eve, or a day very close to it.

I was looking for music to play just now, and I wanted holiday music. I love Christmas music. I used to love the secular stuff like "Jingle Bell Rock" and the old Bing Crosby hits, and I still do to some extent.

During my rebirth the Spirit introduced me to Christmas carols in a whole new way, and since then they've held an incredibly special place in my heart - never to fade. That is a joyful thing.

But I do believe, despite all the aforementioned, that my favorite holiday tune is none of the above. No: It's Carol of the Bells. My mother has a habit of buying compilation CDs. One such CD is one from 2002, and on it The Calling performs a very warming rendition of Carol of the Bells. The first time I heard it I fell in love with it, and it's been the single song I always think of and want to hear a holiday song.

Why? To me, there is something ethereal about it that I cannot get past. I simply must keep listening to it.

So, on this Hallow's eve (of eve of eve) I won't be thinking about ghosts, goblins, witches, wizards, or (oh dear) zombies.

No. I will be thinking about the birth of a little Boy in a manger who, perhaps even then in that stable, knew He was destined to save the world.

Peace.