[Aquamarine]

[Aquamarine]

Good Morning Everyone. Am filling in as hostess again in order to post the annual Christmas Music Post. Hope you'll join in and play your favorite Christmas songs today.

[Aquamarine]

God Bless Our Military

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Aquamarine; The Mayor, DollyCali and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation's leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult day that faces each of us and our country. Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey............................cousin mystery-ak.............son, husband Gogrammy...................grandson Inspectorette.......................son deadhead..........................cousin Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..............................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew ValerieUSA....................2 sons Lakeside........................2 sons LakeLady......................nephew Spruce.........................daughter Leofl......................................son chena......................................son Hope and Glory..................son Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece TheMayor...............friends'son homeschoolmama...........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin gonzo.........................friend's son visualops..........................cousin auboy.............................cousin Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother nelibeli...........................nephew Misty4jc........................husband Colorado Slim................nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad............................son Alouette................................son Katydidnt..............................son Q6-God...................twin brother Q6-God.....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut....................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish.........................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty Notwithstanding.......active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty Old Sarge.................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968...............active duty NoLongerFreeState....active duty SoldiersPrayingMom.............son WakeUpandVote.............brother

scubachick.....................husband OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son cookcounty.............................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin Doug from Upland............soninlaw Himyar....................................son boxerblues........................2 sons the piper....................................son sheeza................................husband kemathen7.........................husband Tiffee4Bob..........................boyfriend JimRobinson...............2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort........................2 daughters Consort.......................son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew dixie sass........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son painter...................................nephew Bykrbayb........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband Walkenfree................2 grandsons Walkenfree.................. 3 nephews Walkenfree..................granddaughter Zechariah_8_13.......brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.......................cousin DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son El Gato...............................nephew Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew jkphoto...............................nephew LoneRedRanger......brother-in-law Jemian...................................son freema....................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son PreviouslyA-Lurker...........brother kimmykay.................................son right2parent..............................son NavySEAL F-16........................son Ike............................................son repubmom.................................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508................................son pmmd81....................................son Skyraider.............................. son CMS............................ active duty

[jwfiv]

A fine and beautiful thread given to us by one of Santa's favorite helpers.

Thank you, Miss Aqua.

Silent Night must be my all time favorite carol, except for 5 or others .... )

I don't have any Christmas decorations, or songs, of my own to share, but the little town in which I live is all lit up and sparkly ... here's a pic of my next door neighbor's lights.

Getting ready to head home to AZ to be with Mom and Dad when Santa comes, I want to wish all our gracious Hostesses, our Humble Mayor, and all the Finest a most Merry Christmas.

May God bless each and every one of you.

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks, sis, for this pretty music post today. I am busy trying to get some last minute things wrapped up before my son and his family arrive, but wanted to dash in and thank you for the thread today.

I see you made a pledge graphic out of the President's Christmas card. Very nice!

Aqua, I hope that you and your family have a beautiful Christmas.

[Temple Owl]

Merry Christmas

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

051207-N-6106R-012 South China Sea (Dec. 7, 2005) – An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27), launches off the flight deck of the conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during an early morning rain shower. Kitty Hawk and embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are currently conducting operations in the Western Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Stephen W. Rowe (RELEASED)

051204-M-1226J-016 Falluja, Iraq (Dec. 4, 2005) - Iraqi soldiers assigned to the 1st Iraqi Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade, 1st Battalion defend Firm Base Castle after indirect fire was reported in the vicinity. The Military Transition Team (MITT) is deployed in support of the global war on terroism to conduct counter-insurgency operations to isolate and neutralize anti-Iraqi forces, support the continued development of Iraqi Security Force, support Iraqi reconstruction and democratic elections and to facilitate the creation of a secure environment that enables Iraqi self-reliance and self-governance. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl Bryson K. Jones (RELEASED)

051109-N-0000X-001 Persian Gulf (Nov. 9, 2005) - An F-14D Tomcat, assigned to the “Blacklions” of Fighter Squadron Two One Three (VF-213), conducts aerial refueling with a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker during a mission over the Persian Gulf region. VF-213 is assigned to Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8), currently embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). U.S. Navy photo (RELEASED)

051220-N-9866B-126 San Diego (Dec. 20, 2005) - The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) displays her holiday lights in her homeport of Naval Station San Diego. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Zack Baddorf (RELEASED)

[Diver Dave]

Beautiful selection of Christmas music, Aqua, and the graphics as well.

I was especially drawn to Do You Hear What I Hear?

For several years, I have been losing my hearing due in part to being exposed to loud noises in the constuction industy. Four or five years ago, my family surprised me at Christmas time with a hearing aid. WOW! What a difference it made.

Some folks have questioned, "A hearing aid? Not a very personal gift." Quite the contrary, it doesn't get much more personal than hearing the soft voices of grandchildren.

As time progressed, I began suffering greater loss. It becomes irritating to me as well as others when I have to ask for someone to repeat themselves, or rely on Mrsd to repeat what has been said.

Last week I received an early Christmas present - a second aid. My hearing ability had dimished to the point that 2 is better one. The next day I was brought to tears when I heard Logan's soft voice, clearly and distinctly the first time. I didn't have to bend down to his face to hear him or ask him to speak directly to my face. I was also able to reduce the volume on the TV and turn off close-caption.

So, in answer to the song's writer, Yes, I Do Hear What You Hear - and maybe a little more.

Praise the Lord for His Excellent Greatness. Praise His Holy Name!

[Colonel_Flagg]

Orphei Drangar Men's Chorus - Stille Nacht

Enjoy in the original German!