Music is my Therapy

Song: O Come, O Come Emmanuel Artist: Pentatonix I've just really been loving this beautiful song this holiday season. I also just randomly keep hearing it a lot. It's so beautiful. And I love this version! Pentatonix can do NO WRONG!! Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appears Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel Oh, come, oh, come, great Lord of might, And to thy tribes on Sinai's height In ancient times once gave the law In majesty on cloud and awe Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel 1/11/16: Sorry that I didn't end up finishing my "Musical Christmas Advent" daily posts! :( I got busy with the holidays and decided spending time with my family and loved ones was more important than getting a song up every day. I hope you enjoyed the songs I did manage to get posted. I had an INCREDIBLE Christmas and loved ever...

Song: Mary Did You Know Artist: Peter Hollens   I love Peter Hollens ! And I love this song!! Beautiful job Peter!     Mary did you know? That your baby boy Would one day walk on water   Mary did you know? That your baby boy Would save our sons and daughters   Did you know? That your baby boy Has come to make you new This child that you delivered Would soon deliver you   Mary did you know? That your baby boy Would give sight to a blind man   Mary did you know? That your baby boy Would calm the storm with his hand   Did you know? That your baby boy Has walked where angels trod And when you kiss your little baby You kiss the face of God   The blind will see The deaf will hear The dead will live again The lame will leap The dumb will speak The praises of the Lamb   Mary did you know? That your baby boy Is Lord of all creation Mary did you know? That your baby bo...

Song: Hard Candy Christmas Artist: Dolly Parton   I remember hearing this song with my sister last Christmas and thinking it was funny. Then I heard it again this year and I actually really like it. To me, it works as more of a "New Years" song because it sounds like a person who is moving on. Who is going off on their own to have a fresh start. To get to know who they are. I like that. So, I don't totally get why it's called "Hard Candy Christmas"....maybe that's symbolic for it was a bad/hard Christmas....comparing that to only getting hard candy for Christmas instead of chocolate, haha. That would suck! Haha.   Hey, maybe I'll dye my hair Maybe I'll move somewhere Maybe I'll get a car Maybe I'll drive so far They'll all lose track Me, I'll bounce right back Maybe I'll sleep real late Maybe I'll lose some weight Maybe I'll clear my junk Maybe I'll just get drunk on apple wine Me, I'll b...

Song: A Strange Way to Save the World Artist: Gardiner Sisters   New song! I've never heard this before but I'm really loving it! It's from Joseph's perspective which is unique. I'm sure Joseph had questions. I'm sure he worried about his wife and new baby boy who he knew was going to the Savior of the world. But his faith was able to overcome his questions and even his fears. Great example. These are some fellow "Mormon" youtubers known as the Gardiner Sisters . They seem pretty talented. Glad I discovered them and this song :)     I'm sure he must have been surprised At where this road had taken him Cause never in a million lives Would he have dreamed of Bethlehem And standing at the manger He saw with his own eyes The message from the angel Come to life, and Joseph said Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade Why Him, with all the rulers of the world Why here, inside this stable filled with hay ...

Song: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Artist: Carrie Underwood I have really been loving Carrie's version of this Christmas carol. It's different and fun but still delivers that same powerful message of joy! That the Savior is born! The triumphant angel voices sing, Glory to the newborn King! Hark! the Herald Angels sing Glory to the new-born King Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled Joyful, all ye nations, rise Join the triumph of the skies With angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem Hark! the Herald Angels sing Glory to the new-born King Christ, by highest heaven adored Christ, the everlasting Lord Late in time behold Him come Offspring of the virgin's womb Veiled in flesh the Godhead see Hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hark! the Herald Angels sing Glory to...

Song: His Favorite Christmas Story Artist: Capital Lights   My sister sent this song to me a few weeks ago. It's fun and upbeat and the song itself is cute but also a little sad....at least near the end, makes me want to cry! No joke! But I like it a lot! It's catchy and I love the cute, romantic lyrics! *sigh*     He met her up in Delaware in 1937 She was wearing red lipstick to match her pretty dress December 24th at a quarter till eleven Is when he finally gained the courage to ask her to dance   It was the night before Christmas, it was love at first sight The carolers sang as they danced through the night She was a small town girl, he was a traveling guy He never caught her name before they said their goodbyes   A couple years later he was out on the road Having Christmas dinner in a diner alone When he saw a young waitress with a gleam in her eye Her favorite day of the year she showed her ...

Song: Picture A Christmas Artist: Primary Children's Songbook   I love this sweet song. I love the primary Christmas songs. They are so sweet and humble. They fill my heart with love. And hope. And peace. And joy!     Picture a stable in Judea. Picture a sacred, silent night. And can you hear The angels near And see the star so bright?   Picture the kind and gentle Joseph. Picture the mother, Mary, fair. And can you see So rev'rently The shepherds kneeling there?   Picture the little baby Jesus. Think of his life and words so dear. Sing praise to him; Remember him, As you picture Christmas this year.     M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S ! 

Song: Someday At Christmas Artist: Jackson 5   Sing it little Michael! And I know older Michael felt the same way! To live in a world of no wars, no fears, love among men, love to one another, when adults would humble themselves like that of a little child. Someday at Christmas, when everyone can rejoice and be happy!     Someday at Christmas Men won't be boys Playing with bombs Like kids play with toys One December our hearts will see A world where men are free. Someday at Christmas There'll be no war When we have learned What Christmas is for When we have found What life's really worth There'll be peace on earth. Someday all our dreams Will come to be Someday in a world Where men are free Maybe not in time For you and me But someday at Christmas time. Someday at Christmas We'll see a land With no hungry children No empty hands One happy mor...

Song: Keep Christmas With You Artist: Abby Cadabby , Rosita & the Mormon Tabernacle Choir , Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra Keep Christmas With You   A year ago TODAY , I had the most blessed and wonderful opportunity to attend the annual Christmas performance of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir last December where their special musical guests were the incredible Santino Fontana (Hans from Frozen ) and the SESAME STREET MUPPET'S!!!! I was in HEAVEN!! It was the most magical night of my life! The Christmas spirit was true and strong! I feel so blessed, so very, very blessed to have been given that opportunity. To receive tickets to this very popular event it is done "raffle style." So, you enter your information (up to 4 tickets per household) and then participants are randomly selected. My family has tried this in previous years with no luck. BUT last year (once I found out who the guest performers were) I knew I absolutely HA...

Song: A Hallelujah Christmas Artist: Cloverton Wow. I love this so, so much. So beautiful. Better than the original by leaps and bounds in my opinion. I love the Christmas season because it reflects Christ. Through songs, the Christmas Story, giving, service even Santa Claus represents Christ in the way he is loving, kind and giving. I know I've posted two "Hallelujahs" this week but each were so beautifully done, I felt they both deserved their own posts. Please listen and enjoy! My absolute FAVORITE line is right there at the end, brings tears to my eyes every time. "My sins would drive the nails in You, that rugged cross was my cross, too, still every breath You drew was Hallelujah. Hallelujah.... " I've heard about this baby boy Who's come to earth to bring us joy And I just want to sing this song to you It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth The minor fall, the major lift With every brea...

Song: Sparrow in the Birch Artist: Croft Family   So I watch a family on Youtube called the Shaytards and they are awesome! I have been with them for a year now (they've been vlogging aka "video blogging" for 7 years!). They are such a cute, happy, funny family! I enjoy watching their every day life. I don't know why. They're pretty cool, you should defnitely check them out ! Anyway, the "mom" aka Mommytard or Colette and her family (as in her siblings and dad) put out a Christmas album last year called Sparrow in the Birch . I can remember watching the vlogs when they were talking about this project and fimiling the music videos. Crazy! I've been listening/watching one of the music videos every night and it's been quite lovely! This song is very catchy, light and just makes you feel all warm and cozy inside!     Sing Sing, sparrow in the birch Through the winter morning Ring Ring, Bells of th...

Song: Santa Claus is Coming to Town Artist: Jackson 5   Hands down thee BEST version of this iconic song! Michael sings it with such enthusiasm and joy that only a child could conjure up! I love it so much! This song practically SCREAMS Christmas! The excitement and pure delight that you see in the faces of children (and remember experiencing yourself). We listened to this song about 100 times Thanksgiving Day, so excited to have "officially" reached the holidays. It's my brothers favorite and he is hilarious to watch when he is lip-syncing to Michael! So passionate!   Santa Claus is comin' to town Santa Claus is comin' to town You'd better watch out You'd better not cry You'd better not pout I m telling you why Santa Claus is comin' to town Santa Claus is comin' to town Santa Claus is comin' to town He's making a list And checking it twice Gonna find out who's naughty and nice Sa...

Song: Hallelujah Artist: Lindsey Sterling   I came across this beautiful "Christmasfied" rendition of Hallelujah by Lindsey Sterling today. The music video is genius. The way the people seem to be too caught up in the hustle and bustle of every day life (and the craziness the holidays can bring) to notice the small nativity. Too busy to notice the Savior, who is the true gift of Christmas. Even when we don't see him, remember Him, think of Him or even believe in Him, He is there. He is always there. Please watch until the very end of the video, when Lindsey shares a heart-felt message. It made me cry. I am going through the very thing Lindsey refers to that she herself experienced. It's hard, difficult and painful and at times you feel utterly alone. But we are never, ever alone. The Savior is always there! He loves each one of us. He sees the beauty within each person. Young or old, rich or poor, black or white, educated or uneducated, beautifu...

Song: Stars Were Gleaming Artist: Primary Children's Songbook I love this sweet Christmas song about the birth of our beloved Savior. It is especially beautiful to hear the sweet, innocent and pure voices of children singing this song. I was lucky enough to hear that today :) Oh the joy that children, Christmas, Christ, Christmas carols and CHILDREN singing Christmas carols about Christ brings to my heart. It brings me hope. It brings me peace. Just as the Savior does.     Stars were gleaming, shepherds dreaming; And the night was dark and chill. Angels' story rang with glory; Shepherds heard it on the hill. Ah, that singing! Hear it ringing, Earthward winging, Christmas bringing! Hearken! We can hear it still!   See the clearness and the nearness Of the blessed Christmas star, Leading, guiding; wise men riding Through the desert dark and far. Lovely showin...

Song: Jingle Bells Artist: Amy Grant This is hands down thee best version of this classic song ever re-made! My siblings and I even created a fun little "dance" to go with it :) It's hilarious! As in pee-your-pants-laugh-so-hard-while-dancing-you-get-a-side-ache-hilarious!! So many memories associated with this song! Merry Christmas everybody! "It's CHRISTMAS!!" Jingle bell, jingle bell Jingle all the way! O what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh Jingle bell, jingle bell Jingle all the way! O what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh Dashing through the snow On a one-horse open sleigh Over the fields we go Laughing all the way (ha ha!) Bells on bob-tails ring Making spirits bright What fun it is to ride and sing A sleighing song tonight Oh jingle bell, jingle bell Jingle all the way! O what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh Hey Jingle bell, jingle bell Jingle all the way! O what fun it is to ride In a one-horse ope...

Song: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Artist: Josh Groban, Noel I'm in  LOVE with this version of this beautiful Christmas hymn! I love the choir that joins Josh at the end and I am absolutely obsessed with this one, small line, at the end, where Josh sings " On a midnight clear...." I don't know what it is about it, but the way he sings that line is just GORGEOUS!! So in love with this song! Truly fills my heart with the wonder, hope and peace of the true Christmas spirit! It came upon a midnight clear That glorious song of old From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold Still through the cloven skies they come With peaceful wings unfurled And still the heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world Peace on the earth Good will to men From heaven's all gracious King The world in solumn stillness lay To hear the angels sing Hear the angels sing Peace on the earth Good will to men F...

Song: Just For Now Artist: Pentatonix   Another new Pentatonix Christmas song and I'm pretty sure it's an original ! ( *UPDATE* 12-6-15: Found out it's a cover of the song of the same name by Imogen Heap . Interesting ). This song has been very addicting (for me) the last little while. I really like it although it sounds like it's a little....saddish? I haven't really followed the lyrics too well (good thing I have my handy-dandy trusty blog here to come reference them!;). I hope you enjoy! Not the most traditional Christmas song, but it's new and catchy all the same.   Just for now... It's that time of year Leave all our hopelessnesses aside If just for a little while Tears stop right here I know we've all had a bumpy ride I'm secretly on your side How did you know? Is what I always wanted Can never have had too many of these Quit kicking me under the table I'm trying So...

Song: Joy to the World Artist: Pentatonix   I've been loving this fun and unique spin on a holiday classic! Love Pentatonix and I'm so glad they released a few new Christmas songs this year! Their album, That's Christmas to Me , was my Christmas album of 2014! They're just awesome!     Joy to the world! Joy to the world! Oh woah Joy to the world! The Lord is come Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room And heaven and nature sing And heaven and nature sing And heaven, and heaven and nature sing Joy to the world! Joy to the world! Oh Joy to the world! the Savior reigns Let men their songs employ While fields and floods Rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy Repeat, repeat the sounding joy Joy to the world then we sing, (Let the earth receive her King!) Joy to the world then we sing, (Let the angel voices ring) Joy to the world then we sing,...

I can't believe the final month of 2015 is here! This year has flown by! I'm so excited for the holiday season (Thanksgiving was AMAZING and so memorable!) but at the same time, I just can't believe that this year is coming to an end! It's been one of the fastest years yet! I feel like there is still so much I didn't do. I didn't accomplish much of anything. And I've gotten a whole year older without so much as making a dent in my personal life and that makes me feel sad/disappointed. BUT I still have time to do ONE major thing! And that is.... GET MY LICENSE !! I need to get it within the next two weeks before my time is UP ! I'm stressing out about it but I'm going to try to keep calm and just get this over with! I pray I will have the courage to go through with it! I've come so, so far and don't want to blow another opportunity!!   To get you in the Christmas spirit please enjoy one of my favorite Christmas songs to welcome ...