I love music. I played in school bands through college and sang in choir through graduate school and even for a few years as an adult when my kids were small. My husband and son both lead singing at our church, and all three kids play instruments. One of the ladies from church who babysat for us one summer called us the Family von Trapp. LOL.
During the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there is much music and singing going on in the Witemeyer household. Straight with No Chaser and Pentatonix are some of the favorite albums (love those A Capella harmonies!) but I’m a sucker for the classics as well. Alternating Bing Crosby, Barbara Streisand, and Josh Groban just makes me happy.
With all the shopping, baking, party hosting, and gift wrapping to do on top of the regular 8 to 5 responsibilities, the holiday season can be incredibly stressful. So to help you and me both deal with the extra stress in a positive manor, I’ve recruited some puppets to help lighten the load. A little music, a little laughter, and a whole lot of fun. As Proverbs 17:22 says, A cheerful heart is good medicine. And boy, do I need a dose.
First is my favorite muppet of all time – Beaker – and his hilarious version of Ode to Joy.
Second is a wonderful Christian parody of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. This was sung by a Christian group called Apologetix – the Bethlehemian Rhapsody. Such a clever telling of the nativity story to a song that while fabulous musically has rather depressing lyrics. This new version is filled with hope and truth. Love this!
- What are your favorite ways to de-stress during the holidays?
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Thanks for these. Can’t wait to show them to my granddaughter when she gets home from school. She’s in her 5th grade chorus and has a short solo in their performance on the 19th. She is also a dancer and I teach her piano, which I only play well enough for my own enjoyment.
We are a musical family also. My husband was in drum corps in high school before he went into the Marine Corps. Both my son and daughter were in marching and concert band. Our son made all state three years in a row, and our daughter marched in the Macy’s Parade – what a great experience!
Music is definitely a destresser and so enjoyable during this time of year.
Wow, Betty. Your family has some serious music chops. Making all state is a huge deal! And how fun to march in the Macy’s Parade. My kids have marched in parades at Disney World, but that’s about the closest to fame they’ve come. Ha!
I hope your granddaughter enjoys the video clips!
Karen, so cute! Love those videos. My favorite way to relax is to find a comfy chair and a warm blanket and stare at the lights on the Christmas tree. In one of our homes, years ago, we had a huge bay window so the tree went there. That gave me the best view of the tree and the real stars in the sky. That guiding Christmas star always grounds me. Merry Christmas!
That sounds wonderful, Lenora! I’ve never had a bay window but have always admired them. I love driving down a street and catching a glimpse of a family Christmas tree through the front window. It’s just so inviting. Thanks for the mental image. My day seems brighter already. 🙂
Read.
Always a good de-stressor. Thanks, Shirley.
How blessed you are to have music in your family’s life! What joy it brings!
Amen, Lynn. 🙂
Oh my gosh…love the Bethlehemian Rhapsody one in particular. I have never seen that! I’m going to try to figure out how to share that one on Facebook. Merry Christmas! Music is a huge part of ChrIstmas for me also. My mother used to play the organ and lead the choir in our little local church and taught us to love all types of music, so it has always been a central part of the celebration to me.
One of my earliest memories with my cousins was sitting around the piano singing Christmas carols. I have 3 female cousins who range from my age and up, and they all sang the most wonderful harmonies together. I was so envious. I had a brother who didn’t care too much about singing. Hard to get a sibling sing-a-long going with that. Ha! But at Christmas we all sang together, and the sound was beautiful. You were so blessed to have a mother who brought music into your life. I’m trying to do the same for my own children.
Loved them both! Thank you!
You’re so welcome, Jen. Merry Christmas!
We thrive as a family by having a time each evening by turning the lights down low,tree lights on,and having Advent readings. My personal way to calm down is to take some time after everyone is in bed. Herbal tea, a quilt, tree lights and Christmas church lights on, and read a Christmas novella.
That sounds heavenly, Sandra. I love that you and your family have quiet time together in the evening for Advent. What a great idea! We always read the Christmas story for Matthew and Luke as a family on Christmas Eve, but I like the idea of extending that out to encompass more days. I might have to borrow that tradition. Thanks!
Oh, and I just grabbed a collection of Christmas novellas that I’m looking forward to reading. Love those short and sweet stories during the craziness of the holidays!
We like to unplug and sit back with a big bowl of popcorn and watch a good Christmas movie to de-stress.from all the hustle and bustle.
That sounds lovely, Kay! My hubby isn’t a big Christmas movie fan, but as soon as my daughter comes home from college, I think she and I will have to sneak off for a few of those. 🙂