The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

I'm going to beat a dead horse now, so get ready.

This is my most favorite time of the year. Seriously. No contest. I am so filled with joy at all the wonderful things to look forward to this week alone, that I peed my pants earlier and didn't even notice it, so happy was I.

Soft wooly sweaters, cute socks, large intricate snowflakes, lights everywhere, the ringing of bells in the background, red, green, gold, silver, children's bright rosy cheeks, my bright rosy cheeks, matching hats/scarfs/mittens sets, the smell of cookies baking, another reason for taking pictures, another reason to wear tights, another reason to not shave my legs, presents, family time, carols, caroling, the gracious lyrics of truthful hymns, elves (haha, just kidding), Elf (the movie), making pies, the Nutcracker Suite, The Carol Of The Bells, decorating the tree, the smell of pine & cinnamon, family time and some guy named Baby Jesus, or something like that......ahhhh, the list could go on!

I do know this - there is so much to look forward to this season, that I am beside myself with joy. Just this week alone I get to spend time with so many people I love. My BFF is coming out to visit and staying with me (FINALLY, that back rub I've needed for months), and on Thursday, long-awaited Thursday, I'll get an extended amount of family time, including many, many family members I haven't seen in a long time. Then Friday, boots, beer & snuff with the bro (take it for what it's worth & if you don't know, then you just don't know). Saturday, more BF time, this time the other K, and Christmas shopping and decorating.

Wow, when I put it that way, it sounds crazy busy. I should not, then, forget why this wonderful season is here (I promise, I will not break out crazy-stupid sayings like "Christmas starts with Christ" or "He's the reason for the season", I want y'all to be able to keep your egg nog down). Hopefully, this, one of my favorite Christmas hymns, will be a good reminder (and, will be the first in a series of hymns or carols that I will post till Christmas comes).....

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming

from tender stem hath sprung!

Of Jesse’s lineage coming,
as men of old have sung.

It came, a floweret bright,
amid the cold of winter,

When half spent was the night.

Isaiah ’twas foretold it,
the Rose I have in mind;

With Mary we behold it,
the virgin mother kind.

To show God’s love aright,
she bore to men a Savior,

When half spent was the night.

The shepherds heard the story
proclaimed by angels bright,

How Christ, the Lord of glory
was born on earth this night.

To Bethlehem they sped and
in the manger found Him,

As angel heralds said.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender
with sweetness fills the air,

Dispels with glorious splendor
the darkness everywhere;

True Man, yet very God,
from sin and death He saves us,

And lightens every load.

O Savior, Child of Mary,
who felt our human woe,

O Savior, King of glory,
who dost our weakness know;

Bring us at length we pray,
to the bright courts of Heaven,

And to the endless day!