The Night Before Christmas -

A few weeks ago, I bought Steven Curtis Chapman's Christmas CD "All I really want for Christmas", and I've played this song every chance I got since then. :) I just love it. Originally, I wanted to make a music slideshow, because the music is so gorgeous, but I'll just tell you to go buy it on iTunes instead. :) Because I decided sleep was more important than blogging on Christmas Eve. And it is - but you must listen to this song - I just love love love it!!

Merry Christmas Eve, y'all!!!

With joy,

~ Jean Marie ~

On the left: My grandparent's special nativity that stays up year round, and on the right: my Mama's special nativity that she puts up every year, with fresh pine branches all around -

"The Night before Christmas"

by Steven Curtis Chapman

"It was the night before Christmas and all through the world

Everything looked like business as usual.

Shepherds sat on a hillside, looking up at the stars,

While the world fell asleep, unaware just how deep

Was the darkness the night before Christmas.

And the night before Christmas it seemed to be just a night,

But the wind blew like something was coming.

And like children with secrets that they're bursting to tell

The cedars danced in the breeze while all of nature it seemed,

Held its breath on the night before Christmas.

And Hope, Hope long awaited!

The Hope of the Ages

Would break with the dawn,

And the song that all of creation was anticipating

Would start with a baby's first cry!

And on the night before Christmas, Mary laid down to rest,

While Joseph, he paced the floor praying,

And in an everyday stable, in an everyday town,

In the hours to come, God would wrap Himself up

And come down from Heaven, and the world would forever be changed,

After the night before Christmas."