joy to the world.
welcome to day 4 of #12daysofblogging! if you're just joining us, you can find out more about the christmas linkup here. today's prompt is "favorite christmas music". get inspired and spread the christmas spirit!have you ever heard of midnight mass? it's this thing we Catholics do at christmas. on christmas eve, late at night, we have christmas mass to celebrate the coming of Jesus. it's done at night to symbolize the belief that He was born at night under a star. and oh my gosh if it isn't one of the most gorgeous things you'll ever see.the church where i grew up (and where we were married) is always full of poinsettia plants. there are white and gold decorations everywhere, and candles on every open surface. the choir sings the most beautiful christmas songs before mass starts (because you have to get there early, unless you're a rookie and want to stand the whole time) and it's cozy and you kind of feel like you're dreaming because it's late and the lights are dimmed and all the incense is making your head cloudy.as the service starts, the lights start to get a little brighter, ever so gradually. the christmas story is read, and the mass is performed and it's all traditional and beautiful and it almost makes you want to cry a little bit it's all just so lovely.
but the end is my favorite. because at the end, the lights go up (all the way up!) and the trumpets start blaring and the organ starts roaring! and if there is anything that will give you goosebumps, it's trumpets and organs in a church. and then the singing starts, loud and strong..."joy to the world! the Lord is come! let earth receive her King!"and then the bells start to ring."let every heart prepare Him room, and heav'n and nature sing!"and in that moment, every.single.time without fail, i remember why this is my favorite christmas song. because being joyful is what carries me through the stress of the season and the being too busy and all the things that must get done. being joyful is the reason we're doing all of it.and in that moment i remember what the reason for that joy is.
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now it's time to introduce you to a joy in my world, mrs. laura beth. she lives in the tundra too, but over in north dakota (or nodak as i like to call it). she and i understand what it means to say it's really cold out, and we both understand the value of wearing long underwear to work when the windchill is too far below zero. not to mention she is one of the kindest people i have ever met. i can't wait until we can have a glass bottle of wine together in person! for now, go say to another midwestern blogger!
I'm Laura and I blog over at Mrs. Laura Beth. Over at my blog you will find me talking about family, friends, faith, farm life, my hubby, crafts, photography, food and lots of fun stuff in between!! It is a blog all about the things in life I love and I hope you will come check me out and have a glass {or three} of wine with me!
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