Monday, December 15, 2008

Blue Christmas

Today's Wonder of the World is...A Blue Christmas.

Flickr photo by Rich007
I'm not sure why, but I love a blue Christmas.
Maybe it's because it looks so frosty

Flickr photo by geniuschef2011
and I live in South Town, after all!
Of course I love this song, by one of my favorite sons of the South!

(Here at Christmastime, I can't bring myself to call him The King!)

I think Santa looks great in blue, don't you?

Flickr photo by CGoulao
But maybe it's just me.

I'm not so sure about blue poinsettias, though.

Flickr photo by daisybaxter
I have to say that I prefer red or pink or white, but it does get me thinking.
Maybe I like blue because it's used a lot in Hanukkah decorations too, and I like to find things that unite us.
But mostly I like a blue Christmas because of its melancholy vibe.

Not to be a downer, but with all those elves and reindeer hopping all over the place, singing Christmas carols in chipmunk voices and throwing tinsel hither and yon, I know there are a lot of people hurting right now, despite the wondrous news of God revealing himself as a baby boy in the manger.
Blue gives honor to those people.

This van Gogh masterpiece breaks my heart, but I love it.

A blue Christmas reminds me that in the middle of the Christmas craziness, there are people everywhere grieving a loss , whether it's someone they love, a relationship, their health, or a job.
We need Emmanuel to come, especially now. But some of us also need more time before we're ready to rejoice.

What do you think? Have I totally depressed you?
I hope not!
Here, have a pretty Christmas cookie!

Flickr photo by gensler97
And a candy cane!

Flickr photo by tamelyn
I feel so lucky to have you friends. I pray that the Christmas blues can be found only in your wrapping paper and ornaments, and that your season is full of JOY!
Have a Wonder-full Monday, y'all!
Love, Becky

Before you go, enjoy this amazing rendition of O Come O Come Emmanuel.
If you're in a rush, the singing starts about 13 seconds into the video.

23 comments:

a Tonggu Momma said...

Wow... that boy can sing! (You can pick who I'm referring to - Elvis or the young choir boy.)

LW said...

What a voice that young boy has, I could listen to him all day.

Louise

Susan said...

Elvis disliked being called The King, for very obvious reasons. I always liked him (I saw him 3 times) and could understand his reasoning. I think icy blue is such a lovely color and I used to love blue slurpees and Popsicles. Yummm.

Unknown said...

I like it when people decorate with white, blue and silver for Christmas. I think It makes for lovely decor. I never can bring myself to decorate with those colors, tho'. Love my light green and pinks and golds...more victorian style, I guess.

Linda Summerfield said...

I do feel a wee bit blue this Christmas, can't help but think of all the people who have lost jobs recently.
Thanks for sharing the video, what a beautiful voice!

Suzie said...

Wow that Van gog picture is really depressing. poor guy

David Ebright said...

You're never depressing!!! We celebrate the birth of Jesus knowing that the purpose of His birth was only the beginning of the greatest demonstration of love & sacrifice ever known to mankind. It truly was 'The Greatest Gift'

Adrienne said...

I love blue decorations, too. Those blue candy canes look good!

Adrienne said...

Oh, and I forgot to mention - Tanner is adorable in that last post!

Anonymous said...

Blue is such a great Christmas color--blue and silver. I agree with TattingChic.

lotusgirl said...

I love blue at Christmas as well. I think it may be because I'm a uniter and not a divider too. One of my favorite wrapping papers is one I got for wrapping gifts for my Jewish friends for Hannukah! It's blue and silver and so pretty.

It's so funny the first time I ever gave a Hannakah gift was a fluke. I had made some toffee and gave a pack of it to a Jewish friend not thinking of it as a particular gift--just sharing, you know. He was so touched by it he almost cried. He said that it was the first Hannakah gift he had received from a non-Jewish person. I was floored. We should remember our Jewish friends at this time of year too.

Now I know to pay attention to those sorts of things on purpose.

That "O come, O come Emmanuel" is one of my all time favorite Christmas songs. That boy's voice was beautiful. So pure!

Susan Tuttle said...

I do love blue at Christmas time -- it is magical and maybe even a little bit melancholy.

Thank you for sharing your verbs.

Susan
xo

Rosemary said...

Blue is such a frosty color at Christmas. It looks so pretty with white and silver.
Hope you are having a good Monday.
Rosemary

Fete et Fleur said...

What a beautiful voice! You haven't depressed me. This holiday without my FIL will be our first. Even though we know he is at rest we will miss him terribly this Christmas.

Hugs!
Nancy

May Vanderbilt said...

JINX! You owe me a Coke!

We used the same exact video of Elvis singing on our blogs today. Hahaha! I'm obsessed with Elvis and he does Blue Christmas better than anyone.

My cathedral has a boy's choir and it's just like the boy singing. Amazing!

Renee said...

Thank you Becky, this was a lovely post.

Love Renee

savvycityfarmer said...

I'm charmed by the blue candy canes...so special...just like you



have a blessed Christmas

CynthiaAvaDevta said...

I just love a Blue Christmas. Your images and findings are just lovely. If I have time, I wanted to make a few aqua blue felt Christmas trees and blue stockings!
Love the blue candy canes, too.

rochambeau said...

This is a thought provoking post Becky. Thank you for addressing the subject. First, YES TO ALL THINGS THAT UNITE US!! I can feel this way about you and love you for it!!

Also, I remember years ago before I met my husband.....I owned a catering business and I had no one to love me. My father explained how many people feel the blues at Christmastime. It is a season of remembrance and reflection not only of the present, but of the times past.

So today, I want to tip my hat to you for addressing "the elephant in the room". Many people suffer from depression, for many reasons.

Thankfully, this Christmas is one of my very happiest and you have made me realize this tonight!

xox
Constance

Jojo said...

I loved this post. As a democrat I really enjoy blue but it was wonderful to be reminded that not everyone is rejoicing and what a terrific closing performance!!!

Ronnie said...

Becky, I am enjoying your blog so much. You are magical.
Gotta order the book.
Blue makes me think of long winter shadows on snow.

Ronnie said...

JaxPop just confirmed the need for me to get your book. Looks like a trip to the BUY NOW button is in order.

Betty Carlson said...

Those blue candy canes are lovely.

By the way, I'm seeing candy canes in these parts of France this year -- the first time for me.