Oh girlfriends….I have been so excited to introduce to you one of my all-time favorite people in the world! I first met her about 8 years ago when she and her group Crimson Bridge were the musical guests at a Hearts at Home conference. She won my heart instantly with her passion for God, genuine interest in people, love of leading (and ability to model) true worship and most of all her quirky, witty way.
Oh yeah….and she has a rich, gorgeous singing voice. I could listen to her music for hours– and sometimes do! I even had the honor of singing back-up for her once at one of her concerts a few years back when she was in my neck of the woods. One of her regular gals couldn’t make the trip so she gave little ‘ole me the chance to join her. I nearly needed a Depends, I was so excited!!!! And she asked my then preteen daughter to sign one of her songs in sign language at the close of the concert. In fact, Sylvia often served as a godly role model/mentor for Kenz during her junior and senior high years and still holds a special place in her heart. Yep, in a day and age of fakes and frauds in the entertainment and music industries, Sylvia Lange is the real deal.
Living in San Diego, California with her husband Wolf (yes—she really is married to a man named “Wolf”! How cool is that?) and their brood of animals, Sylvia is a step-mom of one grown daughter. She leads a women’s Bible study and serves in the worship ministry of her own home church, The Rock. (Oh…and is it just me, but doesn’t she kinda-sorta look like that female CNN anchor that I see while on my treadmill sometimes in the morning…Heidi somebody??)
Enough rambling… meet my fantabulous friend, who is offering some cool give-aways today! And she has a fantastic Christmas story about a famous Christmas song and her connection to it…read on….
Sylvia, tell us a little bit about what life is like at your house these days.
Well, life’s a little nutty at the moment because we’ve just started our holiday tour season and I’m gone a whole lot right now. Although I really do miss my husband when I’m gone, I love it and appreciate God for letting me do this in this season of my life.
Music is such a huge part of your life and ministry, how did you first start singing? Music has always been a big part of me from as far back as I remember as I came from a very musical family. My dad taught me how to hear harmonies at a very young age and always encouraged me in my singing.
You have a story about a special person in your life that wrote a very famous Christmas song. Tell us about it. A man I call “Uncle” Hugh wrote one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. Uncle Hugh lives not far from me and is currently 95 years young and is still writing music! In his heyday, he was a very prolific Broadway songwriter in the 1940’s and 50’s who wrote many shows, the most popular of which was “Meet Me In St. Louis”, starring Judy Garland. In that show was a little song that went on to be a big hit for him. The song is Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
Now, that song has a new, updated version that focuses on Christ, right?
Yes, much later in his life Uncle Hugh made a decision to believe in Christ and he says his life was turned upside down from then on. Many years later, he rewrote his own popular Christmas song, this time with new sacred lyrics which described the real Reason for the Season: Jesus Christ. That song is called Have Yourself A Blessed Little Christmas.
I understand since I saw you last you’ve come out with a Christmas CD. What is it like?
I released a new full-length Christmas CD last year that I am very proud of. Not only is the new sacred version of Uncle Hugh’s song on it (with him at the piano!), but it also includes some traditional Christmas songs done in a non-traditional way, many of which have a Celtic flair. I like to listen to it all year long! If you’d like to take a listen, you can hear clips here. It is also available on iTunes.
You are offering a few awesome giveaways to our cyber sisters today, what are they? Well, I am giving away one copy of the Pure Christmas album to one winner and then a second winner will get a single of the song Have Yourself a Blessed Little Christmas packaged together with a 25 day “preparing for Christmas” advent devotional designed to get your heart in the right place and focused on the essence of Christmas- Christ!
Thanks for visiting with us today, Sylvia!
You are so welcome!
Okay ladies—here’s the deal: If you’d like to be entered into a random drawing to win either the Pure Christmas CD or the devotional package, leave a comment by midnight EST Tuesday night. The winners will be chosen and the gifts shipped out right away, especially so the devotional winner can begin using the book on December 1st! And the CD winner certainly will want to listen to those beautiful tunes while wrapping gifts and sipping hot cocoa!
You may leave a comment telling us how you focus on Jesus during this hectic time leading up to Christmas or, since I know you all are busy with Thanksgiving preparations, simply leave a comment saying “I’m in!” and list whether you’d prefer to win the Christmas CD, the devo package or both! 
Monday Blessings,
I just heard Sylvia sing as part of the Moms In Touch -Arise Cry Out event. It would be great to win either gift.
I am THANKFUL for this website! Wishing you all a blessed thanksgiving and a joyous beginning to our “Christ-centered” Christmas season. I would be crazy excited to win either.
What an awesome voice! I would love the Christmas CD. I play Christmas music all year long ~ it is my favorite season. I find that Christmas music helps me to focus on the REAL REASON FOR THE SEASON! “Have yourself a Merry little Christmas” is my all-time favorite song. So glad to hear the latest version.
As an adult I’m still figuring out how to prepare myself for Christmas every year. As a child I had a box under the tree that I wrote a letter to Jesus every year looking back over the year and how I saw Him throughout it. Maybe, I should start doing that again.
The CD or the advent devotional package is great! I’m in. =)
I heard Sylvia sing with Crimson Bridge at a Hearts at Home Conference a few years ago. What a beautiful voice and gift from God! During the Holidays we first focus on Thanksgiving and giving thanks for all that we are blessed with. As the Christmas season rolls in I get to set up my little Nativity Scene that I received from my grandparents when I was a child. Then we hang a sign that says “Remember the Reason for the Season” and in our home that is the birth of Christ. Our kids know that they receive 3 gifts for Christmas because that is what Jesus received. That takes off much of the pressure. Blessings to all!
I would be thrilled to win either. Aubrey, I love your idea off 3 gifts for Christmas, that is way cool…
I finally got registered, so was able to submit a comment.
I would like to be entered in your contest as well. I love both Christmas music and devotionals, so I’m open to either, if I would get picked.
I keep Jesus in Christmas by making a point to slow down each day, even if just a few minutes, to enjoy the beauty of the season. I read Christmas devotionals, listen to music, just sit and look at the Christmas tree…..
This year, I’m especially excited to see our college bound son, who won’t get home until late on December 18th. I plan to spend lots of time just enjoying being a family again and just relishing in why we celebrate the season – JESUS!
Blessings,
Pearls
First off, I’m in, I would love to win either, but I especially enjoy listening to Christmas Music.
Amy, I think we might be instilling the 3 gift idea at our house this year. Love it.
To help keep Christ in Christmas, I write and direct our Sunday School Christmas program and having little kids retell the story is an awesome reminder. THis year I think the first and second grade boys would bring tears to your eyes when you hear them sing Take Me out to the stable, it is an adorable song to the tune of take me out to the ball game, that tells us about Jesus’ birth, and the last line states ANd it’s why we have Christmas Morning, it’s Jesus’ birthday!
THe other way at home is when we put out our Christmas lights outside, my kids always want to put our Nativity in the most noticiable place for all to see.
Have a joyous Christmas to you all.
My friend suggested making a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas day with the kids. I thought that was such a neat idea. Looking forward to celebrating the “reason for the season” with my family. I would love to win either! They both sound wonderful!!
I’d like a chance at the devotional. I’ve been getting a nudge this year about Advent.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hello-
I’d love to win the devotional-to spend that time with my family.
-Amy V.
I would love the advent preparation devotional. As a mom with three kids I am trying to find new ways to keep it about Jesus and preparing for His birthday. Thanks for this awesome interview. I love checking in regularly to see what’s new!
Either would be a great gift and belssing.
I’d love to be entered to win either the devotional or the CD. Thanks!
I keep focused on Christ by setting up my nativity scene first, before anything else, in a prominent place in my house. Every time I walk by it or glance that way I am given a visual reminder of the real reason for the season.
I remember listening to them at Hearts at Home in Lansing. I think she was wonderful.
I’m in and I would love the CD.
To stay focused on Jesus we take time to serve others. Our celebrations are not about getting more for self, but giving to others in the spirit of love.
I’m in for both prizes!
We are doing the three gifts theme this year. Our kids are 2 years and 6 months old, so we can start them off right!
We want to teach them more about the true meaning of Christmas. The real reason we celebrate! I love it when my husband reads out of Luke on Christmas morning. Sweet, sweet times.
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
I’m in!
We do a simple Advent puzzle with our small children. They color it, we cut it apart, and then each night they choose a piece, glue it in, and we do a scripture-related task. We love it, and it helps us remember the reason for the season!
We always celebrated Advent in our home. Each night, we’d light the candle on the Advent wreath, read from Scripture and sing a carol. We also did a Jesus birthday cake (coffee cake) for breakfast on Christmas morning and sang “Happy Birthday to you” to Jesus — this was before any gifts were opened.
Edie
I’m in! It would be such a blessing to win either one of these fabulous gifts! I have been looking for a song to wrap my Christmas letter around and this one just might be it. We have attended Christmas Eve services as a family since my husband and I were dating, and then will have someone who is not able to go home or doesn’t have anywhere to go for Christmas Eve to our home for Christmas Eve dinner, which I make as an Italian meal. Since having kids, we have participated in dramatized Christmas Eve services at our Church and have lived out pieces of the Christmas story.
Mary Y.
One of the many things that I love about your blog is the introduction to “new” things …at least new to me. I have never heard of Sylvia but I am excited to hear and purchase her CD.
I recently read the Father Tim/Mitford novels and it inspired me to focus on Advent. Now I am not Episcopalian as Father Tim was and Advent is new to me. However, I am moved by the focus it puts on Jesus. So this year I am going to try and figure out Advent and how to participate.
With that being said, I would love the devotional :>)
Oh how this is a very busy time of the year and so easy to get caught up in the commercial part of it. We enjoy playing Christmas music at our house from now til the new year. I love to bake and start early so that I can share with others, especially my older friends who no longer do much cooking. I try to be considerate of others when out shopping, greeting with a smile and a Merry Christmas wish. I would enjoy the devotional gift. However the CD would be nice too. I’m not hard to please. Thanks for offering the gifts.
Hi Karen,
I remember Sylvia from Hearts at Home too and I love her voice as well. I would love a CD of her music! How cool that she knows the composer of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and that he is accompanying her on the CD!!! Christmas music is my favorite so as soon as Thanksgiving is over it comes out. Sometimes I don’t put it away until long after the holidays are over. The music is so joyful and uplifting that I can’t help getting into the Spirit of Christmas when I’m listeneing!
I’m in!
Both of my husband’s parents passed away this year. We are trying to find our “new normal” in life. I would love to start a new tradition with my husband and children with the advent devotional. We both love Christmas music. This CD would be a great way to get us into the Christmas spirit.
Woohoo! Count me in for both!
We are working harder than ever to make sure our kids know the reason we celebrate Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ. We are limiting our purchases this year to reflect the birth of Christ as well. I’m excited to see what happens.
During this busy time I try to listen to christian Christmas music so I can focus on the reason we celebrate. I would love to win either prize. Thank you.
Deb V
Either prize would be put to good use at our house! Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!
Traditionally, we have done the three gifts for our kids. We tell them, “If three gifts were good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for you.”
We also wait until the kids are asleep and place our family bible in front of all the presents under the tree opened to Luke 2 and we place the baby Jesus figurine from our nativity set on top of the bible. It’s the first thing the kids look for on Christmas morning! Now that our kids are old enough to read they have begun bringing their bibles with them when they wake up and run to the tree so they can help read the Nativity story.
We will be away from home for Christmas this year, so I recently asked my children what was the one Christmas tradition that they want to remember. They all said, “The Bible with baby Jesus!” I’ll definately be making room for that in my suitcase!
Hi Karen,
I’m “in”. Would love to be entered in drawing for both.
It doesn’t really take much for me to focus on Jesus during Christmas time. It’s just I really don’t get all sucked into the madness of shopping and my family is small. I just get excited knowing that the day will arrive when we celebrate the greatest gift of all. And that’s what I think I’ve always felt about Christman, even before I really knew, that giving and sharing with those around you represents His gift to us. It’s really easy for me now with a 3 yr old to just tell him that Christmas is Jesus birthday. It feels right. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not denying my son “santa” but you’ll hear me say Jesus far more. And that’s how it should be.
I would love either or both!
This time of year gets crazy and I make sure I schedule my time with the Lord just like I do everything else. It keeps me grounded!
We bought a cool family devotional from our church bookstore last year. It also has a recipe for each day. Not so good for the waistline.
I also love Christmas CD’s.
I would love either!
I would love a wonderful Christmas CD for the van, for my trips to and from school. This is always my and kids time to read, do devotions, and start and end our day with God. I think it is difficult during this time of the year to truly give my kids the true vision of Christmas and not have them be affected by the worldliness and busyness!
I’m in! Thanks for the chance to win!
I just might start a new tradition with the Christmas CD you are giving away.
I love this time of year–the excitement over the birth of a new baby, the songs, music, tradition! Yeah! I am not perfect at it, but we do try to be intentional about Christmas. We do a bday cake on christmas morning–I used to think sugar in the AM was great….guess I’m getting old–the boys love it though! We do the 3 gifts ,
One of our favorite traditions is to buy a new Christmas book each year (I try to make it advent or Christ centered), then all who are with us on Christmas write their name in it (so we have ones that have scribbles, drawings, etc) and then each year this special collection gets set out. Then during December we read and reread these special stories. They each have a story, like we found a Go tell it on the Mountain book, basically the song words with pictures. Sam has loved this song since he was little, so we reread it over and over each season! Its a nice way to settle down for an evening and focus on Christ.
I’m in! I would love to win either prize. Have a great day!