Ten days until Christmas? How can it be?! I am truly savoring every moment...what a wonderful time!!!
Today's song is a less popular one, but when I heard it the other day (for the 1st time in about 20 years!), I was deeply stirred...it's called, "In The First Light." I first heard this song in the 1980's, the original acapella version by the group Glad. I always liked the song, but it took on new meaning earlier this week. The song begins simply and then builds with each verse. By the end, it's like a triumphant trumpet fanfare and it makes my heart skip a beat...I get goosebumps all over and I can't help but sing along! Of course I had to check out the other recordings of this beautiful song...Todd Agnew paired it up with "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and it's a very rich recording, with full accompaniment. Point of Grace has an acapella version that is truly spectacular. I urge you to go listen and be blessed!
In The First Light by Glad
In the first light of a new day
No one knew He had arrived
Things continued as they had been
While a newborn softly cried
But the heavens rapt' in wonder
Knew the meaning of His birth
In the weakness of a baby
They knew God had come to earth
As His mother held Him closely
It was hard to understand
That her baby not yet speaking
Was the Word of God to man
He would tell them of His Kingdom
But their hearts would not believe
They would hate Him and in anger
They would nail Him to a Tree
But the sadness would be broken
As the Song of Life arose
And the Firstborn of Creation
Would ascend and take His Throne
He had left it to redeem us
But before His life began
He knew He'd come back
Not as a baby but as
The Lord of every man
Hear the Angels as they're singing
On the morning of His birth
But how much greater will their song be
When He comes again, when He comes again
Hear the Angels as they're singing
On the morning of His birth
But how much greater will their song be
When He comes again to Earth
When He comes, When He comes
When He comes to rule the earth
When He comes back
When He comes back
To Rule the earth
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Christmas Music - day 14
I'm realizing I should have saved, "O Holy Night" for today...it was my Gram's all-time favorite, and today is her birthday. The last Christmas we celebrated with her was in 2002 and I am missing her a lot today.
Another Christmas song she loved was "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and that will be today's song. Also known as "Adeste Fideles," this song has some mystery surrounding its authorship (the most likely composer being John Francis Wade.) This song has been recorded by hundreds of artists, some of my favorites being Amy Grant, Bing Crosby, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Anne Murray, Martina McBride, Glad and Enya. (Can you believe Twisted Sister also recorded this song?!!)
** addendum: i just went on "spotify" and found a GAZILLION more versions: Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Celtic Woman, Chris Tomlin, Chris Rice, Matthew West and Phil Wickham are all amazing!! Even Take 6 and Weezer have great arrangements!!
What I love most about this song is the way the chorus is often sung in unison on the first line, with layers of harmony added with each line. I also LOVE singing alto on this song...
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the King of Angels:
Chorus:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb;
Very God,
Begotten, not created:
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!
Glory to God
In the highest:
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing!
Another Christmas song she loved was "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and that will be today's song. Also known as "Adeste Fideles," this song has some mystery surrounding its authorship (the most likely composer being John Francis Wade.) This song has been recorded by hundreds of artists, some of my favorites being Amy Grant, Bing Crosby, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Anne Murray, Martina McBride, Glad and Enya. (Can you believe Twisted Sister also recorded this song?!!)
** addendum: i just went on "spotify" and found a GAZILLION more versions: Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Celtic Woman, Chris Tomlin, Chris Rice, Matthew West and Phil Wickham are all amazing!! Even Take 6 and Weezer have great arrangements!!
What I love most about this song is the way the chorus is often sung in unison on the first line, with layers of harmony added with each line. I also LOVE singing alto on this song...
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the King of Angels:
Chorus:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb;
Very God,
Begotten, not created:
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!
Glory to God
In the highest:
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
13 days of Christmas music
"The Perfect Tree" by Ray Boltz was introduced to me about 10 years back. The entire CD, titled A Christmas Album, is chock full of greatness, both musically and lyrically. "The Perfect Tree" has stuck with me because it hits close to home...regarding that perfect Christmas tree: "mother wants a straight one, the children want it tall. Dad just hopes that somehow he can get it down the hall. Soon they'll gather round it proud as they can be. But when they're looking at it I wonder if they see..."
I often will put quotes from this song on my Facebook page to remind myself to keep my focus in the right place.
Ponder these lyrics and let them touch your heart.
The Perfect Tree - by Ray Boltz & Steve Millikan
The ornaments are ready
The place has been prepared
Strings of lights and holly
Are draped across the chair
The family's all together
I know where they must be
Everyone is searching
For the perfect tree
CHORUS:
The perfect tree
Grew very long ago
And it was not decked with silver
Or with ornaments of gold
But hanging from its branches
Was a gift for you and me
Jesus laid His life down
On the perfect tree
Mother wants a straight one
The children want it tall
Dad just hopes that somehow
He can get it down the hall
Soon they'll gather round it
As proud as they can be
But when they're looking at it
I wonder if they see
CHORUS (repeat)
With all the celebrations
Sometimes the truth is lost
That every step this baby took
Brought Him closer to the cross
CHORUS (repeat 2X)
I often will put quotes from this song on my Facebook page to remind myself to keep my focus in the right place.
Ponder these lyrics and let them touch your heart.
The Perfect Tree - by Ray Boltz & Steve Millikan
The ornaments are ready
The place has been prepared
Strings of lights and holly
Are draped across the chair
The family's all together
I know where they must be
Everyone is searching
For the perfect tree
CHORUS:
The perfect tree
Grew very long ago
And it was not decked with silver
Or with ornaments of gold
But hanging from its branches
Was a gift for you and me
Jesus laid His life down
On the perfect tree
Mother wants a straight one
The children want it tall
Dad just hopes that somehow
He can get it down the hall
Soon they'll gather round it
As proud as they can be
But when they're looking at it
I wonder if they see
CHORUS (repeat)
With all the celebrations
Sometimes the truth is lost
That every step this baby took
Brought Him closer to the cross
CHORUS (repeat 2X)
Monday, December 12, 2011
9, 10, 11, 12
Ooops, looks like I was a little busy and missed a few days of the Christmas music posts!
So here's a quick list of a few more of my faves:
day 9 - "Mary, Did You Know"
I LOVE the whole song, but when it crescendos on the bridge, I get head to toe chills every time!!! Kenny Rogers version and Kathy Mattea's arrangements are my favorites.
Mary, Did You Know - Originally written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?
Mary did you know.. Ooo Ooo Ooo
The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.
Day 10 - Do You Hear What I Hear
I loved this song as a child, and I still love it today. It was been recorded by dozens of musicians, but I love the Whitney Houston and the Martina McBride versions the best.
Do You Hear What I Hear - by Noel Regney & Gloria Shayne Baker
Said the night wind to the little lamb
Do you see what I see
Way up in the sky little lamb
Do you see what I see
A star, a star
Dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
A song, a song
High above the tree
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king
Do you know what I know
In your palace wall mighty king
Do you know what I know
A child, a child
Shivers in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere
Listen to what I say
Pray for peace people everywhere
Listen to what I say
The child, the child
Sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light
The child, the child
Sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
Day 11 - Breath Of Heaven
The first time I heard this song, I cried. I still get teary when I hear it. I love Amy Grant's version the best, and I will never forget when my cousin sang it at Christmas one year.
Breath of Heaven - Chris Eaton & Amy Grant
I have traveled many moonless nights
Cold and weary, with a babe inside
And I wonder what I've done
Holy Father you have come
And chosen me now, to carry your son.
I am waiting, in a silent prayer
I am frightened, by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now, be with me now.
Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness, for you are holy,
Breath of Heaven.
Do you wonder when you watch my face,
If a wiser one should have had my place?
But I offer all I am for the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong, help me be strong,
Help me be strong, help me.
Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness, for you are holy.
Day 12 - I Wonder As I Wander
This is a song that I truly detested as a child. It seemed so slow and boring. I remembering having to play it on the piano for my lessons and it was drudgery! But at some point, the song began to mean more to me. Now I love listening to its melancholy, almost haunting tune. I have heard many versions, but I think my favorite is by Jewel...it starts out acapella with two-part harmony, then builds just a little bit with strings.
I Wonder As I Wander - by John Jacob Niles
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all
But high from God's heaven, a star's light did fall
And the promise of ages it then did recall.
If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing
A star in the sky or a bird on the wing
Or all of God's Angels in heaven to sing
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
So here's a quick list of a few more of my faves:
day 9 - "Mary, Did You Know"
I LOVE the whole song, but when it crescendos on the bridge, I get head to toe chills every time!!! Kenny Rogers version and Kathy Mattea's arrangements are my favorites.
Mary, Did You Know - Originally written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?
Mary did you know.. Ooo Ooo Ooo
The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.
Day 10 - Do You Hear What I Hear
I loved this song as a child, and I still love it today. It was been recorded by dozens of musicians, but I love the Whitney Houston and the Martina McBride versions the best.
Do You Hear What I Hear - by Noel Regney & Gloria Shayne Baker
Said the night wind to the little lamb
Do you see what I see
Way up in the sky little lamb
Do you see what I see
A star, a star
Dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
A song, a song
High above the tree
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king
Do you know what I know
In your palace wall mighty king
Do you know what I know
A child, a child
Shivers in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere
Listen to what I say
Pray for peace people everywhere
Listen to what I say
The child, the child
Sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light
The child, the child
Sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
Day 11 - Breath Of Heaven
The first time I heard this song, I cried. I still get teary when I hear it. I love Amy Grant's version the best, and I will never forget when my cousin sang it at Christmas one year.
Breath of Heaven - Chris Eaton & Amy Grant
I have traveled many moonless nights
Cold and weary, with a babe inside
And I wonder what I've done
Holy Father you have come
And chosen me now, to carry your son.
I am waiting, in a silent prayer
I am frightened, by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now, be with me now.
Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness, for you are holy,
Breath of Heaven.
Do you wonder when you watch my face,
If a wiser one should have had my place?
But I offer all I am for the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong, help me be strong,
Help me be strong, help me.
Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness, for you are holy.
Day 12 - I Wonder As I Wander
This is a song that I truly detested as a child. It seemed so slow and boring. I remembering having to play it on the piano for my lessons and it was drudgery! But at some point, the song began to mean more to me. Now I love listening to its melancholy, almost haunting tune. I have heard many versions, but I think my favorite is by Jewel...it starts out acapella with two-part harmony, then builds just a little bit with strings.
I Wonder As I Wander - by John Jacob Niles
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all
But high from God's heaven, a star's light did fall
And the promise of ages it then did recall.
If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing
A star in the sky or a bird on the wing
Or all of God's Angels in heaven to sing
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Eight Days of Christmas Music
Well, it FINALLY snowed, so I can FINALLY write this post...today's song is White Christmas!!!
Written by Irving Berlin and made unforgettable by Bing Crosby, this song just feels like Christmas! I have always loved it, and although it was been covered by a GAZILLION other people, the Bing Crosby version is definitely the one that "feels right."
I did hear an arrangement by Twila Paris about 10 years ago...she did a mash up of White Christmas and Whiter Than Snow and it quickly became a favorite of mine.
Whiter than snow, whiter than snow
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow
Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
Written by Irving Berlin and made unforgettable by Bing Crosby, this song just feels like Christmas! I have always loved it, and although it was been covered by a GAZILLION other people, the Bing Crosby version is definitely the one that "feels right."
I did hear an arrangement by Twila Paris about 10 years ago...she did a mash up of White Christmas and Whiter Than Snow and it quickly became a favorite of mine.
Whiter than snow, whiter than snow
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow
Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Day Seven
One of my favorite Christmas memories from childhood is of my mom's brother and their mother singing "The Birthday of a King" (actually, I think my grandmother played the piano and my uncle would sing.) The whole family would be gathered together at my grandparents' house in Connecticut. My dad's mom would join my family of five on our journey to CT and there we would celebrate with my mom's parents, her brothers, sisters-in-law and my cousins (5 girls, plus the 3 in my family gave my grandparents 8 granddaughters: 4 redheads, 2 blondes and 2 brunettes.)
We always ate delicious meals together...my mom would tell us to take it easy on the cheese and crackers and shrimp cocktail. We would have pretty dresses on, with bows in our hair. We would use our best manners as we gathered at the table, set with the fancy plates and lace tablecloth and candles. Usually when dinner was finished, we would go into the living room for some singing time. My grandmother would take her place on the piano bench (and I would turn pages for her), and we would begin singing...hymns, carols, old songs and new arrangements. We would sing in unison and in harmony. It was beautiful! Every year, my uncle would get up and sing...I can't hear this song without thinking of our time in my grandparents' living room:
The Birthday of A King - By William Harold Neidlinger
In the little village of Bethlehem
There lay a Child one day
And the sky was bright with a holy light
O'er the place where Jesus lay.
Refrain:
Alleluia! O how the angels sang
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright with a holy light
'Twas the birthday of a King.
'Twas a humble birthplace, but O how much
God gave to us that day
From the manger bed what a path has led
What a perfect, holy way.
Refrain:
Alleluia! O how the angels sang
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright with a holy light
'Twas the birthday of a King.
We always ate delicious meals together...my mom would tell us to take it easy on the cheese and crackers and shrimp cocktail. We would have pretty dresses on, with bows in our hair. We would use our best manners as we gathered at the table, set with the fancy plates and lace tablecloth and candles. Usually when dinner was finished, we would go into the living room for some singing time. My grandmother would take her place on the piano bench (and I would turn pages for her), and we would begin singing...hymns, carols, old songs and new arrangements. We would sing in unison and in harmony. It was beautiful! Every year, my uncle would get up and sing...I can't hear this song without thinking of our time in my grandparents' living room:
The Birthday of A King - By William Harold Neidlinger
In the little village of Bethlehem
There lay a Child one day
And the sky was bright with a holy light
O'er the place where Jesus lay.
Refrain:
Alleluia! O how the angels sang
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright with a holy light
'Twas the birthday of a King.
'Twas a humble birthplace, but O how much
God gave to us that day
From the manger bed what a path has led
What a perfect, holy way.
Refrain:
Alleluia! O how the angels sang
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright with a holy light
'Twas the birthday of a King.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
On the the 6th Day
In The Bleak Midwinter - Christina G. Rossetti/Gustav Holst
1. In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
2. Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
3. Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
4. What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
This song moves me tremendously...the lyrics are exquisite...verse one is so haunting and lonely. And the last verse, oh my heart!!
I don't have a "favorite arrangement" of this song, but I do like to play it on the piano and sing it in my head and heart. (Ok, if no one is home, I like to sing it out loud, too.) I am most familiar with Twila Paris' pretty version of this song. I do like Sarah McLachlan's less traditional melody in her arrangement, and I just today discovered the Indigo Girls' version, with acoustic guitar and richer harmony.
My hope every Christmas season is that the last verse would be in the front of my mind.
1. In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
2. Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
3. Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
4. What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
This song moves me tremendously...the lyrics are exquisite...verse one is so haunting and lonely. And the last verse, oh my heart!!
I don't have a "favorite arrangement" of this song, but I do like to play it on the piano and sing it in my head and heart. (Ok, if no one is home, I like to sing it out loud, too.) I am most familiar with Twila Paris' pretty version of this song. I do like Sarah McLachlan's less traditional melody in her arrangement, and I just today discovered the Indigo Girls' version, with acoustic guitar and richer harmony.
My hope every Christmas season is that the last verse would be in the front of my mind.
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