Rocky Mountain Christmas High

With all the hubbub of traveling, house guests, end of semester school activities, neighborhood and church parties, Christmas doesn't feel very peaceful or full of wonder (except wondering when things got so out of control?).

Yesterday I realized that one reason it doesn't really feel like Christmas is that I hadn't yet listened to John Denver's "Rocky Mountain Christmas" tape. (Yes, I have a scratchy original audiotape version, and the holidays aren't complete without it.) I dug around to find the one remaining tape player in our house and sung along with John Denver while I sewed on some gift projects.



I love John Denver and I love this album. I love his Christmas with the Muppets album too. "Aspenglow" is one of my favorite holiday songs and it conjures up all kinds of images and memories of family, home, and snow. (All of which I miss SO MUCH today!)
I'd also like to note that my favorite Christmas hymn is I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day--NOT the country-western version, but the kind sung in church, with Virginia Funk playing all the bells on the organ. (a sweet memory of my youth...)
I also love Far Far Away on Judea's Plains and the secular but very fun Winter Wonderland and I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas.
I DO NOT like these Christmas songs:
Silver Bells
The Little Drummer Boy
Please, Daddy, don't get Drunk this Christmas (Sorry John Denver, this one's a total stinker!)

What are your favorites (and not favorites) to sing at Christmas?

P.S. Listen HERE to "Carolina Christmas"--a random family favorite by the Squirrel Nut Zippers.
P.P.S. I just went back and saw that I shared similar thoughts this same week last year. I'll try to be more original *next* December.