Celine Dion: Ave Maria

 

Celine Dion's version of Ave Maria is exceptional.  I am not a huge fan of her Christmas album overall, however there are certain songs that are phenomenal and this one is surely a phenome.

Our Daily Bread: Gabriel’s Message with Gloria and Magnificat

 

This is a great little instrumental with some singing.  This is a mostly instrumental series, although there are some songs that contain a lot of singing.  This is one song that contains quite a bit of singing, although I wouldn’t say a lot.  I love this song and I am actually in the middle of watching a movie in which the angel Gabriel is featured.

Amy Grant: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

 

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is a great melon-coli kind of carol.  It doesn’t really excite me but Amy Grant is great so anything sung by her is nice.  I recommend this song, but overall I would have to recommend this album.

Mariah Carey: All I Want for Christmas Is You-Extra Festive

 

The re-recorded version of All I Want for Christmas Is You is amazing.  Of Course I am referring to the selection noted above and not the latest re-recorded version floating around.  That version features Justin Bieber but since I am not a huge fan I would have to say that this version is the best thus far.

Josh Groban: Silent Night

 

That is most likely my favorite rendition of Silent Night.  Josh Groban does an extremely and exquisitely amazing job.  He also invokes the Magdalen College Choir to do a similarly amazing job as well.  This rendition features a fellow Canadian in me, David Foster on Acoustic Piano.  David Foster is also an exquisite Producer among other talents and works with some of the most successful acts in history, i.e. Michael Buble, Celine Dion, Toni Braxton and many more.

Yolanda Adams: With God

 

This is a little on the dry side.  It’s great for a silent moment With God but sometimes I prefer to be riled up like in the song I listened to preceding this song.  That song can be found below this entry but both are great songs really.  I just prefer to be a little bit more lifted up like in a great Gospel Carol, but Yolanda Adams does that so inspirationally in her music that isn’t Christmas-centered.  That would be her usually Gospel music.

Mariah Carey: Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child

 

I am getting pretty desperate at this point for Christmas Carols but this turned out to be a great song.  I am actually in-love with it and I recommend it to anyone who believes in the notion of putting Christ back in Christmas.  Of course I saw that on a sign today so it is on my mind but it’s a good concept none the less.

The Nativity Story

 

This is a good little movie.  It’s missing some of the Pomp and Circumstance I am accustomed to seeing, but it is good none the less considering the time period it is from.  This movie was released in 2006 preceding Christmas and although it shows somewhat, it is still very interesting to see.  I got it for Christmas in 2009 and so this makes it the third time I am watching it since I only watch it at Christmas.

That was a great way to end my Christmas Movie celebration ironically and fitting enough with the birth of Jesus.  That was the climactic point and it wasn’t as violent as the preceding points.  I guess that’s just part of Christmas though with a little fight to get to the top.  That movie was extraordinary and the battle I had to witness to get there was well worth the fight, after all I watched The Chronicles of Narnia film trilogy before I got to the most important part in my Christmas film ensemble.

Kingdom of Heaven

 

I was desperate for some Christmas-related movies or what have you so I decided to watch Kingdom of Heaven, again.  I am glad that I did because this movie contains some of the greatest lines in history and overall it is just a great film.  It has really nothing to do with Christmas but yet everything to do with Christianity so I thought it would be appropriate since my actual Christmas movie collection is pretty slim and with this selection I am stretching it but I like to have a seven-feature spread for my homepage.

I just wrapped up Kingdom of Heaven and I must say that it was a genius idea even though I was desperate at the time.  I have been hearing a lot of coming to Bethlehem since it is Christmas and therefore I am listening to a lot of O Come All Ye Faithful and that’s all they really say in that song.  But given its close proximity to Jerusalem, I saw it fit to watch this movie and it turned out spectacularly.  It’s amazing actually although not your typically feel-good Christmas movie given the amount of bloodshed.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

 

That was hands down one of the best movies that I have ever seen.  The ending really surprised me but I am emotional so anything like that is touching.  It actually touches my heart more than my mind and my soul as well.  I recommend this film series to anyone who is an avid epic children’s adventure film fan.  It has great cinematography and if you happen to buy it on Blu-ray Disc you will be literally blown away as it highlights some of the best High Definition special effects that I have ever seen.

Above and beyond that, the plot is amazing and if you have been following the storyline from the beginning you will really appreciate this film as I did.  It was absolutely amazing and outstanding all at the same time and I have already begun to promote this film series at social gatherings as I believe in it whole-heartedly.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

 

I am in the middle of watching Prince Caspian and it is pretty exciting.  This movie was released in the theatre during the month of May in North America and that is perhaps why it lost some traction.  The first edition was released leading up to Christmas and so was the third installment.  But I think by that time it was too late.  Disney decided not to take part in the third installment and although it shows slightly, it’s still a great movie.  This one however is having some trouble since it is suffering from the Sophomore Slump slightly.

I just finished the second part of Prince Caspian and I was amazingly astonished.  This movie doesn’t start out right but by the time you get to the end you are weeping, at least I was, but these movies do touch me.  I watched it right before Christmas and although this particular film from the series was not released before Christmas like the other two, it none the less, serves as a great Christian epithet.  I think that Aslan is portraying Jesus in the series, but I could be wrong.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

 

I am in the middle of watching The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe from The Chronicles of Narnia.  I am doing it in honor of Christmas and since this movie was released in the theatre weeks preceding Christmas and has very strong Christian themes, I thought it appropriate to watch and Blog about.  In fact this movie was released on my Birthday which is also weeks before Christmas, December 9^th to be exact.  Of course this movie was released in 2005 but you would never know it from the quality it exudes.

I just wrapped up The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe finally.  It didn’t take me as long as last time but I have seen this movie three times now to the best of my recollection.  Having said that, it’s still a great movie but it was released in the theatre around six years ago now so it’s missing some of the modern pomp and circumstance.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

 

I am halfway through my second favorite Christmas Movie that I own on Disc.  I bought it last year and I have only seen it once since then so it’s still quite fresh to see, although I have seen it preceding that considering I saw it when I was a child.  There are some great lessons in this movie, but don’t get too hung up on it as we all make mistakes and will continue to do so.  So while you may think you are being impressive; you will always be disappointing someone else.

I just wrapped up the end of The Muppet Christmas Carol.  It’s a great movie and I highly recommend it, although I am looking forward to The Nativity Story most of all.  Not only have I not seen that movie nearly as much but it’s so much more refreshing given that it was filmed during this Century and ultimately holds the key to Christmas.  However The Muppet Christmas Carol is a great movie for those that think Christmas is not a time for giving; like for example, a wealthy business person, much like the main Protagonist in this movie Ebenezer Scrooge.

A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa

 

I just finished the first half of A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa and it was pretty exciting.  This is my warm-up movie to the rest of my Christmas Movies because it isn’t as exciting as the rest.  In fact I am saving the best for last since that is the climactic Nativity Story as what screams Christmas more than that?

Well that wraps up that movie.  Good thing, it was dragging on a bit.  I might watch it again before Christmas or I might just wait until next year.  No one else seems like they want to celebrate the Holidays, yet I am looking forward to it with great anticipation.  Perhaps there will be a wind of change by then.

Celine Dion: Another Year Has Gone By

 

This is an ok song.  It kind of reminds me of old times only because it is so ancient.  I would like it to be a little more upbeat but it is one of those songs.  In fact it is right after Blue Christmas on Celine Dion's Christmas album entitled These Are Special Times.  So that explains a lot right there.  If you have never heard Blue Christmas, it’s ultra depressing.  I avoid it like the plague, but it could be unavoidable this year.

Amy Grant: It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

 

This is also a great little number but I am stretching the truth a little bit now.  I know I said I love Christmas music before but I am grasping at straws now.  It’s like I love the traditional aspects of Christmas music but once it gets to the secular aspects I start to lose interest.  I have been watching videos of Christmas music I have Blogged about to try to maintain my interest but I am losing hope.  Not in the fact that Christmas will happen, but rather that I can keep listening to Christmas music to help inspire me to move forward.

Our Daily Bread: He Is Born, the Divine Christ-Child/Away in a Manger

 

This is a great little number.  The harmony of it escapes me but I know it’s good none the less.  I highly recommend this production of hits being Portraits of Christmas from the Our Daily Bread collection as it is memorable and instrumental seeing as there are no lyrics.

Mariah Carey featuring Patricia Carey: O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus

 

This song on the other hand is a great version of O Come All Ye Faithful and what is included is a small bonus version of Hallelujah Chorus which I am unfamiliar with but it’s good none the less.  Patricia Carey is Mariah Carey's mother and she does an outstanding job on this rendition.  It’s great and I highly recommend this song and the album on which it’s from.

Josh Groban: I’ll be Home for Christmas

 

This particular version of this song is exciting although not nearly as exciting as some of its predecessors.  I highly recommend this album but this song is pushing it.  I am getting desperate at this point to find good Christmas music to listen to so you will have to bear with me, but this song is pretty good.

Yolanda Adams: My Favorite Things

 

This song is a great little song, but it’s lacking some of the substance the other songs on this album incorporate; having said that, it is still a good song as it actually reminds me of one of Oprah Winfrey's annual television shows entitled “Oprah’s Favorite Things”.  The original of this song is actually from The Sound of Music although as far as I know has no direct correlation with Christmas.  This song is a great song and can be found on Yolanda Adams' second Holiday album entitled What a Wonderful Time.

Mariah Carey: All I Want For Christmas Is You

 

This song has turned into a classic.  It’s not my favorite Holiday tune, but it’s a good song none the less.  I am really excited that she re-recorded this song for her second Christmas album entitled Merry Christmas II You.  This year Justin Bieber also recorded a version of this song as a duet with Mariah Carey entitled All I Want for Christmas Is You (Superfestive!) as the previous re-recorded version is entitled All I Want for Christmas Is You (Extra Festive).  It’s pretty exciting actually so what I do is recommend all three versions and of course all three albums.

Celine Dion: The Magic of Christmas Day (God Bless Us Everyone)

 

This song is pretty good.  As far as I know it’s an original which is great because I appreciate original music, but not as much at Christmas time.  Then I am looking for more Traditional music, but this song inspires me because it talks about God blessing everyone and surely we all need a little of that.  Anyhow this song is a great new classic.  It’s not that old and it’s hardly a classic but it will be someday I am sure.

Amy Grant: O’Come all ye Faithful

 

This is a great little rendition of O’Come all ye Faithful although it’s a little on the soft side.  I am used to power house singing on some other versions I have but this album and version got me to those.  I have had this album longer than any other Christmas album and I am very thankful although I view it as more of a warm-up than anything now.

Our Daily Bread: Coventry Carol

 

This was an unexpected little Carol.  It doesn’t really ring true to me but I guess you can say it’s because I am not a huge fan of King Herod.  Apparently it’s about him; and I am just about to watch a movie in which he is featured entitled The Nativity Story.  It should be exciting but once again this is not a great song if you are looking for something light and fluffy; however something dark and dismal is what it is.

Mariah Carey: The First Noel/Born Is the King interlude

 

This is a great little take on a classic.  The ending is the different part so most of it is the same as the classic, although the ending puts a different spin on it.  I don’t recommend it over any other version of this song, because it’s weak in some parts.  But that could be just me feeling the effects of Christmas music overkill.

Josh Groban duet with Faith Hill: The First Noel

 

This is great; it’s my only song with Faith Hill on it at the moment, now that my mother has decided to take away her Christmas music from me.  She bought Faith Hill's Christmas album not too long ago and it is really great.  I am not a huge Country fan; however mostly anything that Faith Hill does is good.  Her album in particular for Christmas is most likely my favorite album from her.

Yolanda Adams: Do You Hear What I Hear

 

This is a great little number although I don’t love it as much as her others.  It’s not that really, I just prefer the ending, so it takes a long time to get to that part.  Other than that this is somewhat of Christmas classic so I somewhat recommend it.

Mariah Carey: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)

 

Geez this song was one of the best songs I have heard so far this year.  Of course I have heard it before since I have owned this Disc for a while, but it’s always great to revisit it.  Mariah Carey always hits it out of the park, at least for me as I am one of her biggest fans.  Having said that you can’t really go wrong with Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

Celine Dion: Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)

 

This was one of the more exciting songs so far.  I have been listening to Christmas music nonstop since the end of November because I want to publish my information sooner than I did last year which was at the end of December.  I find people just want to get it over with by that point, but what they don’t realize is that it’s better to listen to your Christmas music and so on before Christmas so you have time to socialize after.  This song was a great way to usher in Advent which comes early this year.

Amy Grant: Emmanuel, God with Us

 

This is a wonderful little carol.  Not the most exciting, but it is inspirational none the less.  I think that the message is the most important part of the song.  It talks about how God will always be with us even though Jesus is gone; the child once born in Bethlehem is still among us, in other words.

Our Daily Bread: Angels We Have Heard on High/O Come, All Ye Faithful

 

This served as a great little appetizer to the main course, which was Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) from Celine Dion.  I am so in love with this song and I appreciate all the different versions I have.  It seems as though everyone has their own rendition of this song and so therefore it is a classic in my opinion.  After all it repeats that Christ is the Lord throughout.

Mariah Carey: O Holy Night – Live From WPC in South Central Los Angeles

 

That rendition of O Holy Night is great but I prefer the original.  The original has so much more power.  Perhaps it’s because we live in a Godless age and Mariah Carey felt more powerful through him back then.  That’s my theory but I am sure I will be proven wrong some day.  This version however is a formidable opponent to the original and to any other version for that matter.  Mariah Carey performs this song with truth and grace, at least in my opinion.

Josh Groban: Little Drummer Boy

 

Another great edition of Little Drummer Boy; Josh Groban can do no wrong in my eyes, at least when it comes to his Christmas Music.  I have yet to venture into his more Secular music.  I say that with a grain of salt as I am not sure it is very secular.  That said; I am sure that it isn’t Christian or Gospel Music which is fine because I always need a break from the constant bombardment of Christianity.

Yolanda Adams: Little Drummer Boy

 

Yolanda Adams' version of Little Drummer Boy is fantastic.  I would go out on a limb and say it is the best song from her most recent Christmas album; however I am still getting to know it, since I just purchased it last year.  This album is great even though I had my doubts at first.  The only reason I say that is because it features some more unfamiliar Christmas songs that are a little bit more new age.

Mariah Carey: Joy to the World

 

This is by far the best version of Joy to the World that I own and most likely the best in the World.  It’s just completely amazing and out of this world, speaking about the world.  So Mariah Carey incorporates some of the best background vocals that I have ever heard on this track.  Once again, this version is the best that I have ever heard and I am not just saying that because I am such a huge Mariah Carey fan.  I am also saying it because I love this song and I especially love it when she talks about Heaven and Nature singing.

Celine Dion: O Holy Night

 

This is my favorite rendition of O Holy Night.  Celine Dion hits it out of the park and I am sorry to say that Mariah Carey's version isn’t as good, but I prefer other Christmas carols of hers over Celine Dion's so she is not at a complete loss.  In fact I would have to say that I prefer Mariah Carey's Christmas Music overall and that Celine Dion has this one great song and some others but it is really all about this one great song.

Amy Grant: Joy to the World/For Unto Us a Child is Born

 

This rendition of Joy to the World is pretty good, but an instrumental only.  The ending with For Unto Us a Child is Born is also good, but I would have to go one step further and say it is really good, as it contains lyrics unlike its predecessor.  This combination is great and I highly recommend the album on which it’s from.

Our Daily Bread: The First Noel/Go, Tell It on the Mountain

 

This too, is also a classic.  The First Noel is just a great hymn and Go, Tell It on the Mountain is a great way to wrap it up.  I actually worked with a girl this year named Noelle and she reminded me so much of this hymn.  I mean, how could she not?  The First Noel is a great track and if you have never heard it, then I highly recommend it.

Mariah Carey: O Little Town of Bethlehem/Little Drummer Boy Medley

 

O Little Town of Bethlehem and Little Drummer Boy are classics.  What better way than to wrap them up in one and call it a Medley.  Mariah Carey has done it again.  She, in my opinion, does the best Christmas Music but I am biased as I am one of her biggest Secular Music fans.  She does an exquisite job on Merry Christmas II You.

Josh Groban: O Come All Ye Faithful

 

That was a great rendition of O Come All Ye Faithful.  I am so in love with this song and Josh Groban blows it out of the water.  This song is the highlight of his Christmas album and I must say that Josh Groban is one of the most amazing people I have ever heard sing.  He just happens to share a similar name of mine, since my name is the German form of Joshua.

Yolanda Adams: Jingle Bells

 

This rendition of Jingle Bells is good.  At least it’s modern and so on, as I am not a huge fan of this carol.  However it is sung by Yolanda Adams and if anyone were Christ-like, in my opinion it would be her.  Of course there are others, but this artist sings Gospel music and I am pretty sure that we all can agree that God likes Gospel music.

Mariah Carey: O Holy Night

 

O Holy Night performed by Mariah Carey is one of my favorite songs ever.  She does it exquisitely and if you have never heard it then you are missing out.  Celine Dion also does an amazing version but right now I am focusing on Mariah Carey's because I want to save the best for last and Celine Dion's is the best.  That’s not to say that Mariah Carey's isn’t good, but she has so many Christmas Carols that I love so it’s hard to choose.

Star Trek

 

I just finished the first half of Star Trek and it was great.  So nice to think outside the Atmosphere and Solar System every now and then; I hear that there are plenty of other planets and so on out there from the research I have done and things I have seen.  It’s pretty amazing actually because I have often caught myself thinking of faraway places and what the Universe is really like.  I guess one can only imagine at this point, but I do have a pretty good imagination.

I just wrapped up Star Trek on this night of 11/11/11.  It only happens once a Century and I would have to say it was a magical experience.  I remember one line vaguely from the movie where the future Spock is speaking to the present Spock and he instructs him to put aside logic and do what feels right.  That is amazing if you really think of it because if you continue on doing what is logical, you will get nowhere.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

 

I am in the middle of watching G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra again.  I hear the second part of this series is coming out in 2012, just in time for the Doomsday, prophesied to take place on December 21^st, 2012.  That should be exciting, but I am not holding my breath that there is going to be some huge cataclysmic event as I do not believe in the prophecies or what have you that were foretold in the movie 2012.  However if you are not living in a cave then you well-know that there are certain things happening in the world today that are disturbing and utterly impossible to avoid.  So I guess we might as well try to have fun while we are at it.  This movie is a great way to do so.

I just finished G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and it was exciting.  I love the end.  Not only do they play my favorite remix of Boom Boom Pow during the credits, but I also love when Rex Lewis/The Doctor turns into Cobra Commander and James McCullen XXIV turns into Destro.  Those are two very exciting characters that I actually remember from my childhood when I played G.I. Joe.  It was really exciting to see the development of those characters and Cobra Commander is actually played by a really good and favorite actor of mine named Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

I Am Legend

 

I am in the middle of watching I Am Legend on this Saturday night before All Hallows’ Eve, or the night before All Saints Day.  Anyhow it’s quite an interesting film.  I just got it on DVD but I have seen it before so it’s not as exciting as you might think.  It’s actually a great precursor to this year’s Halloween however.  That takes place this Monday.

I just wrapped up I Am Legend and it was a great.  A little too spooky for my liking but it was Halloween so all in good fun.  I have some more films to see but at least this was one I haven’t seen much of even though I can do without much of Will Smith's theatrics.