Fluff

[mandalee65]

My all-time favorite fluff?

The last two verses to "Here Comes Santa Claus."

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus lane
He doesn't care if you're rich or poor
He loves you just the same
Santa knows we're all God's children
That makes everything right
Fill your hearts with Christmas cheer
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight!

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus lane
He'll come around when the chimes ring out
And it's Christmas morn again
Peace on earth will come to all
If we just follow the light
Let's give thanks to the Lord above
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight!

It doesn't get any fluffier (or more bizarre) than that, folks.

[DCR]

Yeah, that one has always bugged me too.

Let's give thanks to the Lord.  Why?  Because Santa Claus is coming tonight. 

[Jimbob]

I heard Eddie Rabbit's old song "I Love a Rainy Night" on the radio yesterday for the first time in a while.  Did you know that he repeats the title 29 times?  We haven't approached that, yet.

Ugh!!!!!  How that man made money singin' I'll never know.  My dad listened to that song 429 times during one of the vacations of my youth.  I wanted to puncture my eardrums with an icepick.

[Jimbob]

"Breathe" is a song I consider to have little substance.

Here are some of the lyrics:

his is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I I'm desperate for you
And I I'm I'm lost without you

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

There again, it's fairly Psalm-like. 

[Jimbob]

I think the song you mentioned Gary, "This is the air I breathe" is a good meditative song.

Not a bouncey knee slapping, hand clapping type, but a good ol' meditation, "thinking of speaking that to God" type of song, to me anyways.

Blessings, Memmy

Yep, it's not really that different in substance from some of the Catholic songs used in Taize worship.  They are usually simple, two line songs sung slowly and contemplatively through several repetitions (usually a cappella, if IM just an acoustic guitar).  It can be very moving and refreshing.  Here are two of my favorites:





(the folks at Taize allow you to freely copy these, unedited, btw, for use in worship)

[memmy]

When I was a child, I am sure I thanked God for Santa.

Then when I found out he was my Dad, I still thanked Him for him as well.

I love the "spirit" of Christmas, as in how we are "in" that frame of mind, giving, loving, sharing etc. That's why I am even more excited for the season this year. I have the chance to share with children all about Jesus and how He was expected even in the beginning of time.

There is some truth in that song of Santa Claus though.

I think I can even thank God for this time of year. Even if Santa is involved.

Didn't warp me any in believing in him as a child, I don't think.

Blessings, Memmy

[Jimbob]

By the way, you can hear a sample of Jesus, Remember Me and another beautiful song, My Peace I Give You if you have iTunes at the link below.  I found and purchased them after posting here.

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=154028909&s=143441

[Jaime]

"Breathe" is a song I consider to have little substance.

Here are some of the lyrics:

his is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I I'm desperate for you
And I I'm I'm lost without you

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

Gary,

I agree that looking at the lyrics on this one, it is pretty shallow, but I have to admit everytime our church sings this song I tear up. it kinda evokes more in my mind's eye than the lyrics say, if that makes any sense.  Of course it has to be sung well as with any song. I have heard Amazing Grace done so badly that it had to have been an abomination to God's ears.

Jaime

[memmy]

I have heard Amazing Grace done so badly that it had to have been an abomination to God's ears.

Jaime

I believe God hears with His heart Jaime.

Just as a parent, the literal notes don't have to be perfect, it is the direct result of what comes from the heart, not the voice or even the instrument for that matter.

We can sing so off key that we don't resemble the song itself, but when coming from the heart, it is music in God's ears, I believe.

Blessings, Memmy

[Jaime]

I have heard Amazing Grace done so badly that it had to have been an abomination to God's ears.

Jaime

I believe God hears with His heart Jaime.

Just as a parent, the literal notes don't have to be perfect, it is the direct result of what comes from the heart, not the voice or even the instrument for that matter.

We can sing so off key that we don't resemble the song itself, but when coming from the heart, it is music in God's ears, I believe.

Blessings, Memmy

I agree Memmy, God hears us whether we sing good or bad. I was kinda being facetious, but my point about the song Breathe, is that sometimes the right music combined with seemingly benign or even shallow lyrics, and the right situation can evoke powerful emotions in our hearts. In addition to praising God, I think that is one of the reasons singing is such a huge part of worship. It sets the mood if you will. (I know that will cause a stir with some) We are not just praising God, we are edifying each other.

Blessings,
Jaime

[memmy]

We are not just praising God, we are edifying each other.

Blessings,
Jaime

Music is such a wonderful gift from God, isn't it?   

Blessings, Memmy