Songs of Christmas - Spirit Of Christmas

14 Songs of Christmas – (7) That Spirit Of Christmas.

Whether you are stuck in an attic watching old family movies with Clark Griswold, or sitting by a cozy fire with your family, or even taking a walk in the snow, there is definitely something special about that spirit of Christmas.

Before I get to the song, let me explain this 14 day run of Christmas Songs posted here. There is a reason for the season, and there is a reason for this 14 Days of Christmas Songs project as well.

Last May (2021) my younger brother suffered and lost his battle against cancer. I still haven’t completely grasped the idea that I have outlived a younger sibling. I still struggle with our loss. I still remain as a big brother to a pair of siblings and one brother now in heaven. I think of him constantly. He and I were both big fans of each other and of Christmas. We loved being with our family, especially during this time of the year.

My brothers and I shared a room until I was old enough to move out of the house. Even though it has been many years since those days, the bonds we made and shared back then have always remained. That is something that no one could ever take away from us, even with one of us no longer here.

For some months now, I have been thinking of writing more about music, about lyrics, and about the connections that music makes for us all in so many ways. This December I decided to do my 14 Songs of Christmas. My late brother’s favorite number was 14. A lot of folks knew my brother as #14. Since there are 12 days of Christmas, I figured I would come up with a different number for the songs of Christmas. 14 of them, or so.

I thoroughly enjoy the rhythm of this song. I enjoy the lyrics and the way they are sung.

It’s a Christmas checklist of sorts:

Being with the one’s we love
Sharing joy and cheer
Watching our love’s having fun
Sitting by the fireside
Taking a walk in the snow
Listening to songs about Jesus
Wishing the sentiment could remain

I think this list captures a lot of what is awesome about the Christmas season.

I truly believe that some of the darkest times in my life have led to a much better perspective on the joys (big and small) in life. I am so blessed and I have so much to be thankful for, honestly most of us are in this boat. It’s best to recognize such things and to thank our Creator endlessly for the wonders we enjoy every single day.

That Spirit Of Christmas. (Ray Charles)

Christmas is the time of yearFor being with the one’s we loveSharing so much joy and cheerWhat a wonderful feelin’Watching the one’s we loveHaving so much fun

I was sittin’ by the fire sideTaking a walk through the snowListening to a children’s choirSinging songs about JesusThe blessed way that he came to love usWhy can’t it remainAll through the yearEach day the sameHey yeah, that’s what I wanna hearIt’s truly amazin’That spirit of Christmas

All the kin folk gather roundThe lovely Christmas treeHearts are glowing full of joySense the gifts that we’re givingAnd the love that we’re livingWhy can’t it remainOh all through the yearEach day the samethat’s what I wanna hearI’ll tell yaIt’s truly amazin’That spirit of Christmas

Why can’t it remainAll through the yearEach day the sameThat’s what I wanna hearListen to meIt’s truly amazin’That spirit of ChristmasOh it’s truly amazin’That spirit of ChristmasAin’t it soIt’s truly amazin’Yeah, that spirit of ChristmasOh ChristmasOh Christmas

Written by: Mable John, Parnell Davison, Joel Webster

I could go on with versions of this song for quite some time, and I have shared a few versions here. But the real point, is to connect to Christmas, the reason, the season, the joy, and the love. I hope this helps you catch a healthy dose of that spirit of Christmas.

That Spirit Of Christmas – (Spotify) – (YouTube) – Thank God there was at least one Ray Charles. What a gift to all of us.

That Spirit Of Christmas – (Spotify) – (YouTube) – Mary Hall. I like her version too.

That Spirit Of Christmas – (Spotify) – (YouTube) – Rob Thomas. I love this version, it’s right up there with the Ray Charles version in my book.

That Spirit Of Christmas – (Spotify) – (YouTube) – Sly Fox and the Hustlers. Check out the guitar and rhythm in this one.

You can check out recordings of this song by “Vika & Linda” or also by “Blue Water Highway”. They are both good ones too.

But if I couldn’t wish Ray Charles back into existence to play in front of my Christmas tree, then I might try to get Michael English to play in front of family and friends, and as many people as I could pull together. It would be a lot of fun. Check this out.

That Spirit Of Christmas – (Spotify) – (YouTube) – Michael English. Tell me this wouldn’t be a whole lot of fun. I love the energy in this version! They are so fired up about the spirit of Christmas that they add songs to it, and play it like there’s a sense of urgency to celebrate! I love it.

Growing up in our house there was a record player in the living room and that was my favorite room, by far, once the Christmas decorations were up. There were Christmas records playing often in the living room and I would listen to the songs as I played with toys on the floor (or with little green Army men in the tree branches). There is no question, that home was, and still is, my favorite place to be at Christmas.

Many times I just sat on the heater/radiator and gazed at the lights and reflections of the decorations on the Christmas tree, while I dreamed boy’s dreams. Or perhaps I stared through the front window into the night, looking past the electric candle, and searching the skies for any hints of snow.

Sometimes, I still long to be that little kid sitting next to a frosty window, the only light in the room being the glow of our simple Christmas scene. Hearing my Mom in the kitchen and my Dad coming in from the cold night after another day working in the ministry of his calling. Siblings coming in and out, but mostly me solely focused on the songs, the words, and the reason for Christmas. Dreaming my dreams, without knowing that I was learning the tools to cope, to self-sooth, and to be calm.

Knowing that on Christmas morning, I would wake up and go downstairs with my brothers to meet Mom and Dad and my little sister at the base of the Christmas tree. We would always hear the story of that first Christmas, read from the Bible by my Dad. Oh, to go back in time to relearn what I have already learned and be more present.

Thank you for sticking with me. Music is awesome! There is something for everyone. Merry Christmas!

The 14 Songs of Christmas Series so far:

15) Songs of Christmas – Bonus Day Mix

14) Songs of Christmas – The Angels Cried

13) Songs of Christmas – Whoville Medley

12) Songs of Christmas – Walking In The Air

11) Songs of Christmas – Please Come Home For Christmas

10) Songs of Christmas – Blue Christmas

09) Songs of Christmas – Joy To The World

08) Songs of Christmas – Oh Come All Ye Faithful