(Originally posted on 12/30/18 on my Zoot580.blogspot.com page.)
In case you missed Part 1, you can start here.
By the time the boys were old enough to understand what was happening on Christmas mornings, the Davis Family Christmas tradition was years underway. The Christmas tree was up after Thanksgiving meal, full of lights, but without presents (The gifts arrived during the night as Christmas morning approached). They tried to stay up as late as they could to catch Santa, but the (intentional and pre-planned) full day of activity always wore them out.
OMG – I just had a flashback to the night I looked out my bedroom window and watched in shock and horror as my father carried bags of gifts from the car to the front door, late Christmas Eve. But wait! What about Sant-
Morning would finally come for my boys and they would eventually be awakened by that all too familiar tune, “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole, pumping through the house. And of course, “Silent Night” was next in the line-up, then “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway. This was every year, every Christmas morning, without fail. In fact, even if they managed to wake up early, they stayed in bed, anxiously awaited the beckoning sounds of violins and cellos, followed by the resonating call, “Chestnuts roastinnnnng, on an open fiiiiiiire…”
That meant it was time to come downstairs as a group to the surprise of gifts everywhere because Santa had come through once again! The music would play throughout the morning as they opened their gifts, one by one, showing us what Santa brought.
Waitaminute! How come HE got all the credit and WE got the credit card statement? I’m sorry, Dad. Now I know what it felt like for you. Now I’m GLAD I saw you coming into the house that you slaved over the lead pot in the steel mill to pay for, along with the gifts.
Well, the “Four Horsemen (of the Apocalypse)” are grown now, the youngest being 18. Would you believe, to this day, they still remain upstairs, talking in the morning in their rooms until the music plays?
At least now they know who’s paying for all of this stuff! Even better, they have jobs and can buy each other gifts as well.
The oldest moved out a few years ago, but made it a point to come over every Christmas morning to enjoy the music with us. I understand that HE played the first two songs for his girlfriend and her daughter when they started their celebration. But a few weeks ago he moved back in, so for the first time in years, everybody will be home. And I love it.
I asked the boys if they ever wanted to switch things up and they said in agreement, “NOOOOO!”
They’ve even committed to playing these songs for their families when they are eventually blessed with them.
Some things never change. Some things never need to…
So what DO we listen to on Christmas morning? Well, here is a sample of the ever-changing list that often includes new releases that we rotate. Of course, the first three remain the same…
- Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song
- The Temptations – Silent Night
- Donny Hathaway – This Christmas
- Jeffrey Osborne – Christmas Time Is Here
- Chante’ Moore – Christmas Morn
- Gerald Alston & Shanice – Christmas Presence
- Sounds Of Blackness – Soul Holidays
- Luther Vandross – Every Year, Every Christmas
- Boyz II Men – Who Would’ve Thought
- Donna Summer – Christmas Spirit
- Bebe & Cece Winans – Jingle Bells
- New Edition – Give Love On Christmas Day
- Brian McKnight – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
- Ray Parker, Jr. – Christmas Time Is Here
- Christina Aguilera – Merry Christmas, Baby
- Harry Connick, Jr. – It Must’ve Been Ol’ Santa Claus
- Toni Braxton – Holiday Celebrate
- Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – Santa Clause Is Coming To Town
- O’Jays – (Christmas Just Ain’t Christmas) Without The One You Love
- TLC – Sleigh Ride
- The Whispers – Happy Holidays To You
- Luther Vandross – O Come All Ye Faithful
- Diana Ross & The Supremes – Silver Bells
- Gerald Alston – Oh Holy Night
- Jackson 5 – We Wish You A Merry Christmas
…and the list goes on and on…
As a special Christmas Present, just for reading, here is the link to this very list in a Christmas music mix (as promised on FB and in my December 12 post). Click here.
Happy Holidays, everybody! May your days be Merry and Bright…
…and may blessings shower you and yours, every night…
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“How come HE got all the credit and WE got the credit card statement? “<<< Ha! That's what *I'm* saying! Lol
I love that they still stay up in their rooms until the music plays. That's just beautiful…I love it!
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I think every parent feels the same way when it comes to the amount of credit we get. I don’t mind NOT getting it, but I do mind someone ELSE.
About them preserving the tradition, yes, it’s a beautiful thing. I hope to live long enough to see if they truly continue it or whatever else they do for their own…
Thanks for reading!
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