Songs, Ornaments, and Other Messengers of Memories
Finding something new wrapped up in the familiar— My Sunday Best #41
Once a year, I sprinkle our setlist with a handful of Christmas songs, and by the time Christmas rolls around, I about have them down. I know how they should go, but it still takes time to remember the details such as words, intros, stops, etc.—only to forget again once December passes.
However, these past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to notice that it’s not just about remembering, but it’s about finding something new wrapped up in the familiar—the phrasing of the words or learning to play a new chord. A fresh interpretation of a song by another artist also brings something new to an old classic. If you’ve ever heard Kurt Russell’s rendition of Santa Claus is Back in Town in the movie The Christmas Chronicles, you know what I mean—the jailhouse performance has given the song a new shelf life on my list of favorites.
Just last night, I mentioned to a friend that I have been thinking about writing a Christmas song. Why would I bother to write a song with such a small window of play time? Christmas runs deep. The holidays affect us all—not just through delayed mail and long lines at the grocery store. Christmas is a collective experience filled with lifetimes of traditions, stories, and memories—a season of life that plays on repeat. The buzz surrounding the holidays is a good reminder that we all share the same planet. When we stop and think about it, we really do have a lot in common with each other.
This year, I’ve been given the unexpected gift of experiencing Christmas through miscellaneous tree ornaments Mickey picked up at a local thrift store—ziplock baggies filled with ornaments that used to hang on someone else’s tree. I’ll never know whose tree, or maybe I will—one ornament has a name written on the back. There is one with a recipe for Gingerbread Cookies, a glass cactus, a hand-painted wooden bird, and dozens of others, all miniature works of art. I know from experience that many of these ornaments most likely have a long history of Christmases past. It’s funny that something you can hold in your hand can be the keeper of so many memories.
A couple of days ago, my son sent me a video of my two grandsons painting reindeer ornaments. As the four-year-old mixed different paint colors with his paintbrush, he said, “I’m gonna try making reindeer color.” Those reindeer will be making their first appearances on the tree this year and in two little boys’ collections of Christmas memories.


No two Christmases are the same. This Christmas won’t be like any other Christmas before. New friends, new experiences, new ornaments, and new ways of seeing will make this old, familiar holiday feel new again.
Back to my Christmas song. A few days ago, I was walking through the aisles of Hobby Lobby. As I passed by a section of shiny silver ornaments, I remembered a tree ornament I used to treasure— a silver glitter-covered bird in a nest. I decided I would write my Christmas song about this ornament. Here’s what I came up with (subject to edits). I’ll get back to you next week with a recording so you can hear what it sounds like.
Winter Bird
A gift from her grandmother packed away in a box
Unpacked each December and placed near the top
Peacefully resting in a styrofoam nest
The winter bird watches from above
Chorus
Between branches of green and twinkling lights
With feathers of silver, the winter bird shines
A glimmer of hope
A song of peace
at Christmastime
Verse 2
A simple ornament, a touchstone of time
Keeping memories safe so they can live again
To spread a little joy as we remember when
The winter bird sings its song of love
Chorus
Between branches of green and twinkling lights
With feathers of silver, the winter bird shines
A glimmer of hope
A song of peace
at Christmastime
Bridge
One day it flew away, like birds will do
To share its goodwill with somebody new
But in her memory, up on the highest branch
That winter bird is watching over her
Good story and song!!!! I remember that ornament!!!!