From the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2:

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ”Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Merry Christmas.

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I’ve had a lot of discussions with my family lately regarding the best Christmas movies around. Before I start the list, it’s important for me to point out that while I’m a child of a modern era, I appreciate musicals and respect them. I’m basing my judgment purely on my own enjoyment.

Since it’s free OnDemand, I watched Holiday Inn with Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby — a movie that my dad claims should be near the top of the list. And it’s a cute movie…the singing and dancing are nice but outside of the nostalgia of the emergence of the song “White Christmas”, it didn’t knock me out. There’s also the added blackface offensiveness, which knocks it back a few notches.

So my list is unabashedly modern but, here’s my top 10 list:

1. A Christmas Story — I love Ralphie and the whole Red Ryder BB gun gang.
2. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation — Simply the funniest Christmas movie ever. It’s frankly one of the funniest movies of all-time. It’s the epitome of the Vacation movies. It’s a close contest between this and #1.
3. Elf — The best holiday movie released since Christmas Vacation. Will Ferrell is terrific in the role that defines his career - MAN BOY. James Caan is great as his crusty dad and the supporting cast do a wonderful job propping up Will Ferrell. Physical comedy and a creative story — all the makings of a great Christmas movie.
4. Die Hard — It occurs over Christmas, so it counts. It is the action movie that all other action movies are held up against.
5. Babes in Toyland — I remember this movie vividly from when I was a kid. Annette Funicello stars in an enjoyable movie that has people being miniaturized and sword fighting. Genius. Also, Ed Wynn as Toymaker.
6. John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together — It’s a TV movie, but the music is great. Some of the best Christmas songs of my memory.
7. Home Alone — I’m not a fan of all the subsequent sequels that followed, but the first one is genius. Macaulay Culkin before he went nuts. And if you didn’t cry the first time you saw the neighbor guy reunite with his granddaughter, you don’t have a soul.
8. The Holiday — Sure, it’s predictable (aren’t most romantic comedies?), but Jack Black is a delight and Cameron Diaz is surprisingly endearing. But the movie is worth seeing for Kate Winslet’s scenes with Eli Wallach.
9. Scrooged — A dark take on Dicken’s already dark Christmas Carol, modernized with Bill Murray, who my buddy Kevin once called “the bacon of Hollywood…he makes everything better”.
10. Love Actually — It’s probably a little overly complex…maybe a few too many characters and stories, but it seems to work. Hugh Grant is at his bumbling best and Liam Neeson’s scenes with his kid are great.

That’s right. No It’s a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street. These are my choices. They’re my opinion. They’re the flicks I like to watch during this time of year. What movies are your favorite to watch at Christmas?

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In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

- Luke 2:1-20

It is my hope and prayer that today, however you may celebrate, that you will find peace, love and joy during the season. Merry Christmas.

- Shane

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I’m out of here in a few minutes and I can’t wait! Birthday weekend. Christmas on Tuesday.

We’re off to Council Bluffs for the weekend, then back to KC for Christmas day. I’ll try and post from Iowa, but not sure it’s going to happen.

It’s been a crazy week at work and I’m very relieved that it’s over. Looking forward to a little R & R over the weekend.

If I don’t blog to you before then…have a Merry Christmas!

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I’m not sure how many of you know, but my 31st birthday is a short NINE days away. Christmas is only 2 days after that. I know that my readers are wanting to buy me stuff. In order to help facilitate the gift-buying process, I’m going to provide you with this handy-dandy gift-buying guide as well as a nice fat link to my Amazon.com wish list.

Highlights of the things I want this year include (but are not reserved to):

The Old Standbys

• DVDs (TV Shows like Alias, Arrested Development, 30 Rock, and The Office)
• Comic Books (there are tons on my list, especially Pearls Before Swine collections - great “library” material!)
• Regular Books (I’m especially interested in the one called “The 4-hour Work Week” - who wouldn’t want that?)

Big Ticket Items

• Macbook
• Bose QC2 Noise Cancelling Headphones
• Complete Harry Potter Set
• Complete Calvin and Hobbes

I’m not very imaginative when it comes to gifts, although there’s plenty to choose from. Please feel free to buy me a present! I also like Starbucks gift cards and will be more than willing to accept gift cards to any major retailer. You also can just send me money on PayPal if you’d like. If you’re looking to buy a gift for someone else, might I suggest my Cafe Press store? That way, everyone wins.

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I’m not sure if I’ve ever shared how much I absolutely LOATHE inflatable lawn things.

It started with Christmas a couple years back. Inflatable Santas and snowmen began to adorn the lawns of suburbanites across America.

It’s gotten ridiculous.

There are now inflatable whatevers for every single psuedo-holiday that Hallmark wants to shove down our throat. To be honest, besides their obvious obnoxiousness, they represent to me just another area where we’ve chosen the easiest route over putting work and thought into something. It just seems lazy to me.

What do you think?

Original flickr photo from Slice

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There’s been some recent flutter of activity on a post from two years ago regarding my favorite Christmas songs. I felt that it was necessary for me to update the list and add some new ones and take away some others.

Here’s the deal: I was a little rash in picking my favorites and I perhaps jumped to a few conclusions. I still maintain that these are my least favorite holiday jingles:

• Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney
• Happy Christmas (War is Over) - John & Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band & the Harlem Children’s Choir
• Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town - Bruce Springsteen
• Santa Baby - Kylie Minogue
• I Want a Hippopottamus for Christmas - Gayla Peevey
• Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer - Elmo & Patsy

There’s one I would like to add…the “Christmas in Kansas City” song on Star 102. I HATE that song…only because it is tailored to the city and it is sung poorly. I imagine that some dude is holed up in a cabin in Idaho taking orders from radio stations across the nation…”Honey, we got an order from Little Rock! Fire up the synthesizer!”

I don’t know what it is about that song that grinds my gears, but I just can’t stand it.

On a happier note, there are some songs I would like to single out as some of my recent favorites. First, if you haven’t heard Sarah McLachlan’s new album, Wintersong, you should check it out. Her take on these timeless classics (particularly Gordon Lightfoot’s Wintersong and the remake of River…beautiful) is so great and she brings her unique voice to songs I had really lost hope in (mostly Happy Christmas/War is Over, which opens the album).

Past that, I’ve got some other new favorites:

• Guster’s “Donde Esta Santa Claus” is a great fun pop Christmas Song from Nettwerk’s Christmas compilation
• Anything off the John Denver & the Muppets album
• Coldplay’s version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” on the NBC Sounds of the Season album
• The Christmas Song by The Dave Matthews Band (can be found here or here)

I’m sure that I could think of more if given time, but I just wanted to put this post up to get you in the Christmas spirit. I hope that you’re enjoying this time of year.

I just wish it would snow.

*sigh*

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Every year, Alli and I take one day and try to knock out all of our Christmas shopping for our friends and family. In the past, I’ve taken a day off of work early in December and we do all the shopping in that one day. Since I’ve been off the last week (and am off the next as well), we used today to get our shopping done.

It’s such a relief to have all that done. I can’t believe that we got through all of it, but it helps when you have a good game plan (like we did). We could have been even more efficient and we probably would have been done by 1 or 2 this afternoon. Even so, we got done by 4-ish, home in time to take a short nap (I did, while Alli wrapped presents…what a jerk), and I even got up our monstrous 9-foot, pre-lit, fake Christmas tree. It looks awesome.

In the past, we’ve always waited until after Thanksgiving to put our decorations up, but since we’ll be in Council Bluffs and we’re hosting Christmas this year, we got a head start on stuff while I can be home to help.

We’re planning on taking most of the day tomorrow to get the rest of our stuff up, but we both have appointments tomorrow (I have an interview at my new company and Alli has to go meet with a client), so we’ll work when we can. On Wednesday, it’s off to Iowa for the holiday weekend. I can’t believe that my time off is coming to a close. It’s going to suck next Monday having to go to work. But I’m excited to start my new job. I’ll just have to relish in these last few days off.

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I haven’t posted in what seems like forever.

So I had an awesome Christmas. My wife, who rules all, got me a beautiful black ipod nano. I am having so much fun with it, especially since I lost my ipod shuffle about 2 months ago.

It is so stinking small.

Our parents went way above and beyond what we ever thought. We got enough money so that we can tile our kitchen (can’t wait for that) and I got 2 pairs of shoes. And I love me some shoes. My parents got me some custom Nikes (or gave me money to do so) and my brother gave me some retro sneaks. I also got Season 1 & 2 of Scrubs…can’t wait to watch. Awesome show.

And now, our friends are here for the new year…good times. I have made a decision this year (similar to last year’s new year’s resolution) that I am going to read 2 books a month + 1 this year. This will go from Christmas to Christmas. I have the list and I’ve actually already read my first book, A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby. I’ve been waiting to read this for a while and I liked it a lot. More than How to be Good at least.

Next on the list is How to Lose Friends and Alienate People by Toby Young, a memior about the rise and fall of a British journalist on the New York and Hollywood social scene while he worked as a contributing editor to Vanity Fair. I’m about 1/3 of the way through it and it is pretty funny. I’ll be blogging all my books so stay tuned.

Happy New Year and all that. Good times.

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