Oh Holy Night

We put up our Christmas tree today, and despite a heavily whiney Nate (teething, a bonked head, and a runny nose are not a good combination!) and an overly enthusiastic Alex (hard to keep him from jumping on the Christmas lights and being heavy handed with the ornaments) it was all worth it when, after the ornaments were up, Mike turned down the lights in the living room and we all sat on the floor and sang Christmas carols. Interestingly, Alex made a specific request for “quiet songs” and we sang things like The First Noel, Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard on High, and Oh Come All Ye Faithful. Joy to the World, for example, was rejected by Alex as too boisterous, as was Jingle Bells, which is normally a favorite. He wanted solemn. Both boys did a surprising good job of following along and learning the words. It just made my heart melt.

But, Alex’s favorite of all, was “Stars are Shinging Bright,” which is what he was calling “Oh, Holy Night.” So favorite, in fact, that he got mad toward the end when we wouldn’t keep singing it over and over. Finally, I was able to lure him to bed with the promise that I would sing him Oh Holy Night again after stories if he cooperated.

After Nate was down, I read Alex one last story, tucked him into bed, and said “do you still want me to sing?” He did. I did. And then I looked at him and whispered “Do you want to hear a secret, Alex?” “Yes!” he stage-whispered back. “Oh Holy Night is my favorite Christmas carol, too. I will sing it to you at bedtime every night between now and Christmas, if you like.” “I’d like that, Mommy.”

So, you pretty much can guess what I will be doing every night at around 8:45 for the next few weeks!