"What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!" — Dr. Seuss

Here's how it goes around my house: "Everyone is getting rain except for us, it seems to be going around us every time we have some hope." Two days later: "I am so thankful for the rain but if you ask me it could quit anytime now, it could, it really could." Does that sound familiar to you? It shows forth the fickle nature we all possess. Sorry. It does. It really does. The so-called human nature. Right. Well, I didn't show up to talk about that on this Wednesday, July 15, 2026. In fact, I showed up to bring up one of my most favorite subjects, Christmastime. Too early? Not on your life! This evening at our regular rehearsal, the Mims Choir will be breaking out the Christmas music for the planned spectacular program coming up in December. Too early? For fast learners, maybe, but, for people like me, I need all the time I can get. I do. I really do. Our pastor often talks about knowing not only what is your lane but more importantly, knowing how to stay in your own lane, well, for me, my choir lane is marked slow and pianissimo which where I come from means, keep your mouth pretty much shut, you hear? Just joking. But, only a little. Just so you know, this evening Mrs. Claus and I will be reprising the look in the photo above as we attend choir practice. It should be fun. If you know the tune to this one, feel free to sing it while reading my blog. Likely, no one will see or hear you and I will not tell anyone you were singing it. Okay?

Christmas Time Is Coming

Snowflakes falling my old home is calling
Tall pines are humming Christmas time is coming.

Can’t you hear them bells ringin’ ringin’ joy to all here them singin’
Let it snow and I’ll be going back to my country home
Christmas times a’ coming Christmas times a’ coming
Christmas times a’ coming and I know I’m going home.

Holly’s in the window home where the wind blows
Can’t walk for running Christmas time is coming.

Home fires burning my heart’s yearning
For the folks at home when Christmas time is coming.

 

That song is an old Bluegrass standard and if you don't remember the tune here's how you fix it. You can look it up on YouTube and listen to many artists performing it, or, you can do what I often do, make up your own tune. I very often sing my prayers to the Lord and I use all kinds of tunes, some known to be out of tune, but, it's always the heart that counts and God hears our hearts. He does. He really does. He hears our hearts even when no words can be found or can come out. It may be hard to believe but I am getting invitations for Mrs. Claus and I to appear at events coming up this next November and December. Already. Here is an excerpt from a recent request, from a venue we've appeared at every year since we started 16 years ago: "We've always appreciated the joy you both bring to our guests and the care you put into making the experience so special. It's been a pleasure partnering with you, and we're grateful for your continued support of our mission to give back to the community." Lord willing and I mean that seriously, not as a throw down but as a reality, Lord willing, and we are able we at this time are planning our 17th season. Our goal has always been to bring joy wherever we show up. They tell us this year's choir Christmas music will be challenging. I can't help but laugh because for those of us in the slow lane we have more or less mastered singing perfectly wherever there is a rest and for the challenging stuff we are expert at being ever so pianissimo. Ha! Ho, Ho, Ho, and May God add His blessings. Amen.