Christmas Eve Tribute To Mom & Dad Stewart
December 23rd, 2008 | 
Author: Click here if you want to download an mp3 of this soundtrack.
“Oh Christmas Tree”, actually titled “O, Tannenbaum” was Mom’s favorite Christmas song. She was from Straubing, Germany and would have been 82, this past Dec. 11th. Dad passed in 2001. HaynesStewart.com
This is my first Christmas without Mom and Dad, but I know they are together in heaven.
While sorting out Mom’s things this past Sept., I found the poem, “My First Christmas In Heaven” in her purse, folded up and accessible. I wanted to share it with you as well sharing Mom’s favorite song with you. Your comments are so comforting, please share them with me again!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Mike Stewart & Family
First Christmas In Heaven
I’ve had my first Christmas in Heaven
A glorious wonderful day!
I stood with saints of the ages
Who found Christ, the Truth, and the Way
I sang the glad songs of redemption,
How Jesus to Bethlehem came,
And how they had called His name Jesus,
That all might be saved through His name.
We sang once again with the angels,
The song that they sang that blest morn,
When shepherds first heard the glad story
That Jesus, the Saviour, was born.
O, dear one, I wish you had been here:
No Christmas on earth could compare
With all the rapture and glory
We witness in Heaven so fair.
You know how I always loved Christmas;
It seemed such a wonderful day,
With all of my loved ones around me,
The children so happy and gay.
Yes, now I can see why I loved it,
And, Oh, what a joy it will be,
When all of my loved ones are with me,
To share in the glories I see.
So dear ones on earth, here’s my greeting:
Look up till the day dawn appears,
And, Oh, what a Christmas awaits us,
beyond all our parting and tears.
Author Unknown.
Posted in Audio Product Creation
Mike, this is beautiful, thanks for sharing. May the Lord bless and keep you and yours in this glorious season of celebration!
Merry Christmas Mike!
The first time I saw your Christmas Eve video video blog, I was sleeping in the lobby of the Hampton Inn. As you know, things were kinda rough right about then, and your video brought such comfort to me…somehow I knew it was gonna be OK…
Wow, we sure have come a long way in two years, huh?
As your buddy and colleague, I’m here to tell ya, Allen and Martha Stewart done good.
Thanks for the blessing of your friendship and talents.
Merry Christmas to you and yours…
Jeff
(written from about 8 feet away on your couch watching a Craig Ferguson repeat on Tivo…)
Hey Mike,
Beautiful tribute to your parents. I always look forward to your annual recording. May God bless you and your family for all the good that you do every day all year long.
May all y’all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Mike, not only is your music beautiful, but I love the poem that your mom saved for who knows how long. I’m sure she had been thinking about seeing your dad again for all these years.
God bless your family this first Christmas with her gone. I know there’s a hole there where she’s always been, but you know she’s celebrating!!
Best,
Becki
Dear Mike:
I feel so honored to have been able to share this special moment with you!
My name is Roz. You do not know me, I have been recommended to you by Jeff Herring, so I would imagine we will meet soon. I spent some time on your site earlier.
You obviously have some really special memories and I know that will make it a bit easier to get through the holidays. You are truly blessed & very talented!
What you have done is extraordinary.
God Bless You & Yours.
May you enjoy the holidays and everyday!
Roz Fruchtman, The Greeting Card Maven
Mikey
You’ve done it again this year – brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you so much for your thoughts and your music. Yes – Martha and Haynes ‘done good’!
I still miss my parents after 10 years but your mother’s poem helps ease that. Thank you for sharing your parents and your music with us.
Love to you and your family,
Cathy
Mike:
Very touching and a beautiful remembrance. I miss my parents and many others at this time of year. Thanks for a special video and poem to mark this blessed time of year.
Merry Christmas
Happy New Year
Sincerely Yours,
Tara Kachaturoff
Thank you, Mike, for sharing your heart with us. My heart goes out to you as you celebrate your first Christmas without your Mom – the person who has loved you the longest.
The poem was beautiful and touched my heart in a deep way – my Dad passed away 2 years ago and my Mom is in a care home suffering Alzheimers – waiting to go to heaven!
Wishing you peace and that you will feel the love that your parents have (and continue to) surrounded you with.
Pat
(who also knows you through Jeff and met you thru Rhea Perry)
Merry Christmas Mike,
Thanx for sharing your beautiful gift of music and remembrances of your mom and dad with us all. It touched my heart in a very synchronous and auspicious way this morning, similarly to how Jeff Herring said that hearing your annual Christmas audio for the first time helped him to know that “everything was gonna be all right”. How special! I am deeply grateful to you right now for the personalized assistance and generosity of spirit you bring to your customers. It seems to be your special way of being–always in a spirit of giving.
Hi Mike,
Thank you so much for the beautiful music and sentiment. My condolences on your Mothers passing.
Your message is especially touching for me because my father passed away suddenly on Dec. 24, 1968 at the age of 41.
Today is the 40th anniversary of his passing. I still think of him often but especially at Christmas.
I’m sure that both our parents are watching over us and want us to celebrate Christmas with as much joy as they are in Heaven.
Thank you,
Peace and Love
Lewis
That was a great tribute. Thank you for sharing it because it also helps us who too are celibrating Christmas without our parent.
May you and your entire family have a very merry Christmas, and we all have a very happy and prosperous 2009.
Dovell
Mike,
It was good to enjoy your Christmas message, once again. May your Mother rest well in Heaven!
It was good to see you again in Atlanta this past summer.
May 2009 bring you much blessing and growth…
Take Care from the Grand Canyon,
Karlyn
Merry Christmas Mike!
Thank you for the performance and the wonderful and generous MP3. Beautiful and soulful.
Have a wonderful 2009.
Michael
Mike,
You are such a blessing! Thank you so much for sending such a wonderful living Christmas card.
Ask Susan if I can marry you.
Your Best Friend Forever,
Rhea!
who wonders where your other half – Michael – is
How beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us so we can celebrate Love with you.
Beca
wow, this was great. I was very inspired and touched. Merry Christmas to you.
Hi Mike,
I love this tune. Beautifully played, you are a very gifted guy, you really are, keep doing this each year. I believe in Jesus too. Thanks for all the products you sent me.
Much love, hugs, and blessings from your Scottish friend.
Stuart
Hey, Mike…!
Greetings from the frozen north, buddy …and thanks for the beautiful tune. Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday and a sensational 2009. (2009? Wow, that’s hard to believe.)
Steve
Hi Mike – I lost my dad in July 06 and I still miss him every day, but never more than during the holidays. My first Christmas without either parent was tough, this third year is a little easier. Thanks for sharing and thanks for providing such wonderful instruction and equipment offerings through your business. I’ve learned so much from you and Jim E. Have a wonderful family time together.
Mike, loved the song! Thanks for sharing.
Dear Mike,
Although I celebrate Chanukkah rather than Christmas I just wish to let you know how deeply moved I was by this videocast.
Losing ones parents is inevitable in this life but when we have had the joy of a loving childhood we are left with many many happy memories which can never be taken away and sustain us for the remainder of our lives.
I have been following you on your web site for a year and have found many of your ideas extremly valuable while I have been learning media streaming to create a new career at age 74.
I wish you and yours a very happy and blessed New Year
Hello Mike,
I, too, am someone that you do not know, but I know you!
You are someone that I have watched and studied for months as you blessed me an others around the world with your generosity and sincerity.
Your transparent communications, whether written, spoken, or video, has always proven to be direct and gentle in the same motion.
Now,as this special day approaches, let me be the one who is direct and gentle with you.
You see, Mike, you are one to be envied! Yes, I know there will be times that your heart wells up with emotion about the parents you loved so much. But they laid a Strong Foundation for you to stand on in times like these.
That foundation is Christ. And they gave you a powerful example of Faith in A Future. You are walking in their faith right now. You are living out your dreams of helping others…which was their dream all along.
God Bless you, Mike. I pray that I will be able to shake your hand in 2009, look you in the eyes, and say “Well, Mike, I am well on my way to helping others like you have.
We are all proud of how much you have accomplished by helping so many!
Merry Christmas
Jerry
How beautifully you play the piano. I lost my dad in 2006 and my brother in 1983. We don’t do much for Christmas anymore but I loved listening to you play that beautiful song and favorite of your mother’s.
What a lovely tribute – thank you for sharing
Mikey,
Another winner. What a great job and performance. I look forward to this e-mail every Christmas. My dad passed away during Christmas and I have tgo be careful not to get sad. Your video always is a bright spot!
Thanks,and Merry Christmas
Hal
Mike,
Thank you for taking the time to cause us to pause and reflect on the relationships that have allowed us to be who we are. Without the love of family and having others touch, shape and mold me I would not have the great life I have today.
Oh yes! I love your piano playing.
One final thought–thank you for all you have done for me. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Mike
Thanks for the music and the Poem!! I really appreciate receiving them.
You are one unique individual!! I have learned so much from you and continue to learn more everytime I hear one of your presentations.
You are certainly making a lasting contribution to the people in your life.
May God continue to shower his blessings on you; and may you, and your family, have the Merriest of Christmases, and a new year that fullfills your dreams!
God Bless, and my heartfelt thanks!
Bill Blake
Mike:
They would be very proud. This helps ease the pain of not having them when you most need them. Merry Christmas and have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
All the best
Jeff Baird
May you and Susan have a wonderful holiday season and may you also be blessed for your thoughtfulness and kindnesses throughout the year. Lots of snow here in the Great White North to make the season come alive.
Dear Dad
Great video. I know you know you’re mother and father are in a better place. They’re at peace.
I also know they know they left their greatest work behind… you.
I love you man.
I look forward to seeing you at my house on New Years Eve. See you next week.
Armand
Mike
What a wonderful song and poem to share this Christmas Eve. You had a very special bond with you mother and father. On this Christmas in 2008 my hopes and prayers are for you and your family. I hope to meet you one day. There are things about my life I can’t share here but believe me when I say your music and your poem touched my heart and soul.
Linda
Nice video with a pretty interpretation of our German traditional song (“Oh Tannenbaum, oh Tannenbaum, wie grün sind Deine Blätter. Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerszeit, nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit…”)
Best wishes for a peaceful Christmas in spiritual harmony with your loved parents. My spouse lost three members of her family this year (but we still get calls from them
), so we can feel your pain.
Christoph from Germany
From Munich not many miles away from Straubing…same state
Mike,
Thank you very much for your playing and sharing the poem.
Both of my parents are gone, its never easy.
Merry Christmas to you, Susan and the rest of your family and 2009 be your best ever.
chuck
Mike!
Thank you so much for sharing this remembrance and your musical talent.
It’s very touching and uplifting. Beautiful.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Mike…
IHS,
Cheri
@CheriSigmon
Dear Mike,
It’s Christmas here in Australia and I’m thinking of you and sending you lots of love for this special Christmas. You have contributed so generously over the year. I bet you inherited your kindness from your parents. They both look lovely.
Warmest Wishes,
Juliet
Mike,
Thank You for another gift of your many talents this Christmas!
I look forward each Christmas Eve to enjoying your gift. As one of your many students, I am most grateful to benefit from your numerous talents, discoveries and teachings. Thank You and I’m certain that your folks are still most proud as they watch from their eternal reward.
May God continue to Bless You and your family, this and every Christmas. You’re a true and real Class Act.
Merry Christmas, Mike & Family,
Kevin
Mike,
Thank you for the beautiful song
and the inspiring poem.
You are a blessing to so many.
Merry Christmas to you and
Susan and your kids.
You will Shine in 09.
My best,
Kimberly
Mike
A wonderful tribute to your parents. They will always be with you each Christmas in spirit. May you and your family have a blessed Christmas.
Larry
Wonderful, absolutely wonderful. This is the first Christmas without my mom also. She passed away in Feb. of this year.
Best wishes for you and yours and keep up the great work.
Thanks for sharing, Mike.
The poem’s a keeper and the piano made me think of some great Christmas’ when I still had my Mama.
Dear Mike,
Of all the things I have seen this Christmas, this one tops them all. It really touched my heart. Thanks for sharing this with us and thanks for being – well, just you.
Much love and gratitude,
Colin
Mike,
Once again you’ve touched my life. You’re Mother & Father taught their son well.
With Love Mike
Jim Behuniak
Beautiful tribute to your parents. Darn you I am trying to hold back these tears.
God bless,
Lonnie B. Turner
Fabulous Mike.
Coming home from church on Christmas Eve, watching last minute wrappings and waiting for the magical day to arrive, your blog said it all!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
God bless all!
Thank you so much for sharing your music and your tribute.
Wishing you peace, love and happiness this holiday season and beyond.
Sharon Hill
Wow Mike,
Such soul illumination during the tribute to your mom and dad living in eternal peace with the Prince of Peace. My dad passed away this year on Father’s Day. He was 81. Our parents are good people and we are the product of great love.
With gratitude for all you do.
Donna Marie
http://www.CreatingBalanceInYourLife.com
You are a great inspiration for all of us that want to live in peace, harmony and love. May God bless you and your family. Thanks for your beautiful song.
Mike it’s such an honor knowing you. I’m sure your folks were awesome and loved you vey much. Your acomplishments speak to that. Keep up the great work, you do make a difference. Thanks for the song, I thought of my parents too: Mom(in 69) and Dad (in 75)
Wow Mike,
I am sitting here blubbering and really enjoying your music and the great video!
Thanks for the holiday memories.
Lela