Merry Christmas!
2007
Love,
Alex & Joy

White Christmas

The movie White Christmas has long time been one of my favorite Christmas movies to watch. You cant get any better than Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. I have had many years of enjoyment of many of the musical numbers such as "Sisters", "Snow", "We'll follow the old man", "Count your blessings" and on and on.

This past week Alex took me to the White Christmas musical production where I got to see the entire thing live! What a treat! It never fails that I am blown away at the skill involved with singing, dancing and acting all at the same time. It was a wonderful production at Buell theatre in downtown Denver. It was such a moving moment when the title song was performed at the end and the entire audience was invited to sing along as it "snowed" inside the theatre.

And to appease my historical side I have to include a bit of history I learned about the song and its author Irving Berlin.

Irving Berlin was the son of Siberian immigrants (so he obviously knew a little something about white Christmases') Berlin composed over 3000 songs many of which are well know to us even today (God Bless America, No Business Like Show Business, Anything You Can Do, White Christmas, Easter Parade). He was self taught on the piano and he never learned to read music beyond a basic level. He suffered the loss of his first wife Dorothy only five months after they had been married (she apparently caught Typhoid Fever and Pneumonia on their honeymoon to Cuba). Berlin lived to the age of 101.
Berlin actually wrote White Christmas in 1940 sitting by the pool in Phoenix, AZ. The original first verse of the song poked fun at the Californians that longed for a snowy Christmas up north. The song was first introduced in the movie Holiday Inn (also a favorite of mine) in 1942. The song struck a chord with the generation that was facing another World War and quickly soared to the top of the charts three years in a row and won an academy award. Guinness Book of World Records currently lists it as a Hundred Million Seller. Not bad for a self taught pianist.

Our Tree

So in keeping with my family tradition of getting a tree the weekend after Thanksgiving, Alex and I put up our first Christmas Tree together the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We chose a fat little guy that fit perfectly (with a little furniture rearranging) into our place. Since I have not retrieved my collection of ornaments from my parents house yet, we went out and bought decorations for the tree. This year's themes...red and gold and fruit.We are still looking for a star. I think we will get one of those tin cut-out ones. Although I think the tree looks great without a star Alex really wants one. I have to say that sitting by the Christmas tree all glowing and cozy is one of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season. Somehow the beautiful glowing tree makes me slow down and actually reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. I am so thankful that our saviour came into the world to save a sinner such as I. And nothing makes the house feel as cozy as a beautiful tree.
In fact the night we put the tree up we spontaneously had a bunch of friends over for dinner and after much rowdy talking, eating and catching up all 9 of us plopped down on a bunch of pillows and blankets and watched Elf. What a fun night and a great way to start off the Christmas season. I am also including some pics of the decorations I am beginning to put up. I hope that everyone is enjoying their traditions, family, friends, and Christmas preparations this time of year. Remember to take a few moments sit under the glow of the tree lights and thank the Lord for being the reason for this season.