Saturday, December 13, 2008

M.A.T.S.E.M.O.C.S.

I'm starting an organization called M.A.T.S.E.M.O.C.S.: Mothers Against the Shameless Emotional Manipulation of "Christmas Shoes." SHAME-LESS, people! If you haven't heard the song just google it.

Also, I've hit a wall with Christmas music on my local Christian radio station. It's probably because for some reason I have no CD's in my car other than a Christmas one. Christmas music is all I have. I've tried the other stations but they play a billion obnoxious commercials and hardly any songs I know or like. I need some Crowder, some Tomlin, some Watermark, some Lakewood. Help. They were playing an ad for an upcoming Tomlin concert and I was seriously like halfway to heaven in worship just singing the short clips of all my favorite songs. I was that desperate. WHERE ARE ALL MY CD'S?!?!

The Chronicles of Narnia is on right now and Aslan is about to commit to be sacrificed in Edmund's place. Edmund was a traitor and therefore he belonged to the White Witch and she was going to kill him. My favorite part is when Alsan roars and the witch is knocked back in her seat. It's a picture of John 18:6. This part - with Aslan the lion being humiliated and killed - is hard to watch but it reminds me of the power of Jesus Christ, who died on a cross in my place and then rose again. How can it be that my King would die for me? Not following me? Read this. It's the whole reason we're so focused on this baby in a manger.

35 comments:

Jen said...

You have never seen me slap the radio controls so fast as when "Christmas Shoes" or "Happy Birthday, Jesus" come on. I've gotta admit, selfishly I cannot stand the holiday music 24-7 from Thanksgiving to Christmas. I MISS the regular music so much. But I suppose if it really does what they intend, and keeps people who don't know Jesus listening even after the holidays, that it's all worth it. But I'm getting awfully tired of my 1 CD (which happens to be all in Spanish) too.

R said...

oh my goodness. our Christian station does these "Christmas Wish" spots a few times an hour, and they play a clip of "God of this City" at the end of each one. i crank up the radio and belt it, even if it's only for a couple of bars...i miss my normal p&w!!

Rose said...

OMG!! I totally and my teens feel like you on the local christian radio station, we're like come on play a different song already. . . funny that someone else agrees. . . and yes agree about Chrismas shoes! Praying for Kristi, Blessings!

Anonymous said...

OH, I try so hard to be super-Christmasy this time of year, but if I don't get some Third Day along the way I lose it. And I'm not talking Christmas Third Day.

And the Christmas Shoes? The only song I turn from faster is "He's My Son." Sorry, but I do :-)

Maria said...

Dear Amanda,

I'm a random blog reader you've never met but I have a serious prayer request. You don't have to publish this comment. I just didn't know any other way to get it to you.

A friend of mine has a baby boy who was just diagnosed with Leukemia on Thursday. My heart is BREAKING for her and her family. Would you be willing to pray for baby Pierce and his family please?

I've copied the link to Pierce's CaringBridge page if you're interested. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/piercebimson

Thank you,

maria hanson (a fellow lover of Jesus, Mama and blog reader)
http://www.mariamillerhanson.typepad.com/

katiegfromtennessee said...

Little Momma, I understand, my radio station that I listen to is playing Christmas music now, but the sis station is still playing praise music, but when they are on commercial, I have switched to my cd's, but now, I'm feeling like new cds are in order...I saw parts of that movie yesterday and the day before yesterday on tv too-I love the symbolism...I like the end where the witch is defeated by Aslan the most. When The Passion of the Christ came out, I couldn't watch the part with the nails. I had to concentrate not to feel ill. I just saw Pilgrim's Progress with my husband a couple of days ago...I have never read the book, but I love the movie. Compelling.

Love in CHRIST,

katiegfromtennessee

flip_flop_stamper said...

I AM SO WITH YOU ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS SHOES SONG!!! I have told my husband and kids for YEARS that if I'm dying, and ready to meet Jesus, the LAST thing I'm going to worry about are my SHOES!! So of course they all tease me a lot about it. I have my ipod going a lot with the Christmas songs of Travis, Casting Crowns, Rose of Bethlehem from Selah,
Mercy Me, and I've really enjoyed it. Hey, girlfriends, I am a 53 year old with an ipod, so if I can learn to work one, anyone can!!
Ellen from Michigan's Thumb

Michelle said...

can i have a bumper sticker? seriously!

Lauren said...

I am with you on the Christmas Shoes thing. It was on the other day, and since I haven't heard it in years and didn't remember it, I teared up for about 2 minutes. Then I was like, "Are you kidding me?" Click.

3girlsmom said...

That's so funny you should mention that! My parents' church did the Christmas Shoes musical LAST NIGHT!

And you're right....SHAME-LESS.

I would like to join M.A.T.S.E.M.O.C.S. You can be ther President and I'll be the VP. :)

Finally an Abrigg..... said...

Thank you for the Christmas wishes. Peter and I did venture out to Preston hollow the other night in search of George and Barbara Bush's new mansion. We were unsuccessful. Yesterday we went to north park and it took30 minutes to find a spot. Nuts! Merry Christmas to you guys too!

Jessie said...

Hey Amanda - first time commenting - your family is so sweet...and I am so very glad I am not the only one in the can't-stand-the-constant-bombardment-of-christmas-music boat....and Christmas Shoes is rip the heart out emotional - especially when pregnant. Hang in there - just a few more weeks and the radio stations will return to normal!

lavonda said...

Let. Me. Tell You.
Girlfriend!

You have hit the nail on the head!!
I CANNOT STAND that Christmas Shoes song... the first 4 or 5 times I heard it several years ago, I bawled my eyes out. Since then, I literally JUMP to change the station if I hear it starting to play. AND THERE'S A MOVIE TOO.
and I like Rob Lowe and Kimberly Williams-Paisley! But no way Jose, I am not about to watch that movie.

People, please. There's so much more to celebrating Christmas than songs and movies made just to make you cry. Might as well be put out by Disney (no offense, Disney) because they're movies seem to always involve the mama dying. I can't stand it. It's not right.
Bambi even bothers me.

Gimme some more ELF please!
________________________________

My little Emily had her first ever b'day slumber party last night, and all the little girls were curled up in the princess tent in the living room watching Elf. When it was over, as we were taking it out, the tv happened to be on the channel that Narnia was on. So we all watched it too. Oh my... when he was dying, and I was right there, at the foot of the Cross, helpless and wanting to scream and run to my Savior... and the chills when the stone broke and here he comes over the top... I laid there on the couch behind those little girls and just wept Thanking my Jesus AGAIN for His gift to me.

And the best part? One of Emily's little 8 yr old friends had never been to church before, so we'd taken them all to our church's Christmas Festival (First Baptist Woodstock -- SO GOOD!) and then she got to see Narnia and learn a little about what it meant...
God's timing is so amazing.

Planting seeds in little ones at Christmas... I love it. :)

Holly said...

Christmas Shoes is not my favorite. No.

The Christmas songs I like most are the ones I can listen to throughout the year. Yes!

And Aslan? Mmmm. We saw it at the show when our Kylie was 7. She was so sad during this part that I felt bad taking her in the first place. But it has marked our girl for Him.

Kelly said...

You crack me up!!!!!!!!!
I can't handle Christmas shoes - I change the station every time it comes on.
And I could listen to David Crowder 24/7 and then listen some more.

Kendra White said...

Let me just say I think Aslan Jones is a beautiful name. Just a thought....

Jennifer said...

I have lost most of my cd's too! I am burnt out on Christmas music and the only 2 cd's I can find are the Celebration rehearsal cd and Roger's cd. Roger is getting lots of playtime in my car, which is good. It usually starts some good chats with my kids. Today I had them look up Ps 91 as we were listening to one of the songs. They were blown away that one of the Psalms is a song they know all the words too. We have had talks about this world not being our home. Way over my 7 year olds head, but my 9 year old was getting it. I wish I could plug my ipod shuffle into my car.

Katie said...

My mom and I call each other to lament the first time we hear either Christmas Shoes or Happy Birthday Jesus on the radio when the holiday music gets going each year. I can name those tunes in 1 note-and that is all it takes to switch the radio station.

Ashli said...

I watched that movies the other night to! If you want to read my post about what my sweet boy said!

Dionna said...

My favorite line in Chronicles of Narnia is when they are about to head into battle and Aslan's right hand man-horse tells Peter "Size and numbers do not win a battle."

I really want to see Prince Caspian. Have you seen it yet? Wasn't sure my 9 year old daughter could handle it as I heard it was a bit "rougher."

As for the music.You can listen to some radio stations online - but that wouldn't help you in the car. Try Air1.com

Anonymous said...

Loved the end. Preach it sister! Hubs and I are reading Narnia to my 5 year old. He loves it! I can't believe he is old enough to read it already. Where does time go?

Tammie Head said...

I 2nd every word.

♥,
tammie

Kelly @ Love Well said...

I will gladly join your club, if you'll join W.A.O.E.C.S. (Women Against Over-Emotional Christian Songs). Lyrics designed to make me cry annoy the heck out of me, and like so many of the other commenters said, I can't change the station fast enough when they come on.

So now I'm wondering -- who's listening?

Nancy Mon said...

I am not a mom but can I join this group?

Leslie said...

I happened to watch the Lifetime movie (I'm a junkie for sappy movies) The Christmas Shoes. I thought it was a sweet story. It showed how important it is to GIVE to others.

Leslie said...

Forgot to comment about your music dilemma... I just turn my ipod on when I have had enough Christmas music, but that has seldom happened this season. All of my cd's in my car are Christmas. Amy Grant, Jaci Velasquez, Celine Dion, are all great!

Anonymous said...

I am also tired of all the Christmas music and need a fair mix-in of praise and worship. I wish I was watching something fun- Joel is watching Sports Center. Womp, womp.... -Em

rachel said...

AMEN to the Christmas Shoes song! I have to turn it. And the "He was walking her home" song. Have you heard it? It makes you cry harder and harder as it goes. Kind of like the Notebook.

Michele Helms said...

My daughter read the Chronicles of Narnia last year...I do not know how I missed that all these years!!1 I read along with her and loved it! The picture that he paints of Christ is amazing!

Jennifer said...

I agree about the music. I love me some KSBJ and know that they are doing a great thing by playing only Christmas music, but sometimes I just want me some good old "regular" music. My CD player is broke in the car, so all I have is the radio.

Jake said...

Oh man! I know I'm not a mom but I want to be in that club...maybe it can be Men.A.T.S.E.M.O.C.S.

I'm not gunna lie though, I LOVE "Happy Birthday Jesus".

miss you guys!

Debbie said...

We had a college student "sign" to it this Sunday in church. I don't think there was a dry eye any where.

Janelle and Ella said...

Can I be vice president of that organization?

Amber said...

Future of Forestry's album "Advent" is awesome! Christmas-y yet cool.

AKat said...

Oh, girl, you know I hate that song!!!