And so this is Christmas - and a Happy New Year! and no - it is not Lennon's song that is at the top of this list.
My top pick for Song of the Season is the other Christmas carol written in the latter half of the 20th century.
Originally written by singer and comedian Mark Lowry as a monologue for a Christmas musical in a church in Nashville, this song's lyrics were so profound, it left an indelible mark on it's writer. Six years later, in 1991, harmonica virtuoso Buddy Greene supplied the haunting melody and a staple of the Christmas season was born.
I first heard this song three weeks ago. I was on the freeway on my way to work and the Christian radio station I had on in the car played the Mark Lowry version. At the end of the song, I had a lump in my throat and tears were streaming down my face.
I've always loved Christmas carols. And before this song I had my favorites that definitively gave meaning to this season. But the beautiful lyrics I heard surpassed everything I knew by heart.
The lyrics brought to life a picture of a mother holding her son whom she gave birth to in a manger two thousand years ago. I could see the joy and I could also sense Mary's wonder at the Son of God she carried in her arms. Sometimes I wonder, knowing what she's been told by the Angel Gabriel, if she fully comprehended the totality of the little boy she held.
Mary Did You Know gives us a glimpse into the being that is our Lord Jesus Christ. The song eloquently portrays who Christ is, what He is, why He is and many more and ends it simply with "The great I Am".
This Christmas season, as I reflect on who Christ is in my life, I come to the following conclusion. Christ is the reason for this and every season of my life.
He is our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
He is the reason why we proclaim joy to the world.
He is the reason why the angels heralded from on high.
He is the reason why we exalt that silent and so O holy night.
He is the reason why we, the faithful, come and worship and adore.
He is the embodiment of the ransom of captive Israel.
He is the savior we need to welcome into our hearts.
And it is the celebration of His birth that brings us all together in a place we call home.
The happiest of Christmas to all of you and I pray that God continues to bless y'all and that Christ remains as the Lord of all that is you. In His most holy and glorious Name.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Song of the Season #2
There's something to be said about Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday. Aside from the 3-day weekend it entails, it adds ambience to the remembrance of the holiest of nights in the entire history of man.
Two thousand years ago, God gave his greatest gift to man.
Two thousand years ago, heavenly beings joyously proclaimed the birth of a King.
Two thousand years ago, shepherds and wise men made the journey to Bethlemen, guided by that one shining star to worship a child born in a manger.
I wonder whether these men fully understood the sight they were beholding.
Song #2 was taken from a Christmas poem "The Manger Throne" by William Dix in 1865. Set to the music of an English folk tune known as "Greensleeves" What Child Is This gives life to the ponderings and wonderment of the shepherds and wise men who witnessed the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ - the King.
Two thousand years ago, God gave his greatest gift to man.
Two thousand years ago, heavenly beings joyously proclaimed the birth of a King.
Two thousand years ago, shepherds and wise men made the journey to Bethlemen, guided by that one shining star to worship a child born in a manger.
I wonder whether these men fully understood the sight they were beholding.
Song #2 was taken from a Christmas poem "The Manger Throne" by William Dix in 1865. Set to the music of an English folk tune known as "Greensleeves" What Child Is This gives life to the ponderings and wonderment of the shepherds and wise men who witnessed the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ - the King.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Song of the Season #3
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - finally!
And rather than bore you, my readers, with tiresome rhetoric, I am posting an excerpt from reflections on this hymn that expresses my true heart's desire this time of year.
It's that time of year again-the time of busy shopping days, holiday baking, and twinkling lights. The time when schedules overflow with parties and events. The time to send out cards to family and friends. It's supposed to be the season of "holiday cheer." But in the weeks before we celebrate our Savior's birth, so often we feel anxiety and stress instead.
Years ago, Isaac Watts wrote "Joy to the World," the well-loved hymn often sung during this busy Christmas season. Ironically, Watts never intended his hymn for Christmas use. Instead, he simply intended to paraphrase the words of Psalm 98: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth . . . for he comes. . ." (vs. 4, 9).
Amidst his poetry about Christ's second coming, however, Watts also provides fitting words for our Christmas frenzy: "Joy to the world! the Lord is come . . . Let every heart prepare him room." Prepare him room-significant words for any time of year. Yet perhaps we need to hear them the most at Christmastime, when so many things can distract us from our faith. .
This year, as the hectic Christmas season approaches, take the time to prepare your heart. Remember Christ's first coming, as a humble King and Savior. Reflect on the certainty of his return, as Judge over all. And as you think on these precious truths, you'll probably experience the best holiday feeling of all-the joy of knowing "the Lord is come" into your heart.
So finally, after all the running around and the long hours at work, the mundane things are out of the way. Yes, I braved the malls this morning and shopped for my last gifts and now I can breathe and relax and enjoy and reflect.
As a direct result of my reflections of this Christmas Season, song #3, (which to me is equivalent to the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky) of this top 10 list is the famous and aptly joyous Joy To the World and these next few days bring the culmination of my personal preparation to celebrate the birth of my Savior.
And rather than bore you, my readers, with tiresome rhetoric, I am posting an excerpt from reflections on this hymn that expresses my true heart's desire this time of year.
It's that time of year again-the time of busy shopping days, holiday baking, and twinkling lights. The time when schedules overflow with parties and events. The time to send out cards to family and friends. It's supposed to be the season of "holiday cheer." But in the weeks before we celebrate our Savior's birth, so often we feel anxiety and stress instead.
Years ago, Isaac Watts wrote "Joy to the World," the well-loved hymn often sung during this busy Christmas season. Ironically, Watts never intended his hymn for Christmas use. Instead, he simply intended to paraphrase the words of Psalm 98: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth . . . for he comes. . ." (vs. 4, 9).
Amidst his poetry about Christ's second coming, however, Watts also provides fitting words for our Christmas frenzy: "Joy to the world! the Lord is come . . . Let every heart prepare him room." Prepare him room-significant words for any time of year. Yet perhaps we need to hear them the most at Christmastime, when so many things can distract us from our faith. .
This year, as the hectic Christmas season approaches, take the time to prepare your heart. Remember Christ's first coming, as a humble King and Savior. Reflect on the certainty of his return, as Judge over all. And as you think on these precious truths, you'll probably experience the best holiday feeling of all-the joy of knowing "the Lord is come" into your heart.
So finally, after all the running around and the long hours at work, the mundane things are out of the way. Yes, I braved the malls this morning and shopped for my last gifts and now I can breathe and relax and enjoy and reflect.
As a direct result of my reflections of this Christmas Season, song #3, (which to me is equivalent to the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky) of this top 10 list is the famous and aptly joyous Joy To the World and these next few days bring the culmination of my personal preparation to celebrate the birth of my Savior.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Songs of the Season #4
Almost there folks! By the way, in case you've haven't looked at a calendar, day planner, organizer or such - there's 3 days left before Christmas arrives. Are you ready for the big day?
There's a song out there that's NOT on this list called "My Grown-Up Christmas List" that talks about a world of no more lives torn apart and no wars to start yada yada yada. In my world, my Christmas list would simply be more time! More time to reflect, enjoy, enrich, savor and to be grateful for all that God has blessed me with beginning with the birth of Jesus. Rhetorical question, how many out there, just in the last few weeks, have read the first 2 chapters of the Gospel of Luke outside of church service? Or better yet, how many out there have stopped and reflected on these same chapters?
But be that as it may, in 3 days, the world will celebrate the birth of our Savior.
So back to the list. And what list wouldn't be complete without a tie. Just as I did with #5 and #6, this choice was an agonizing decision and rather than give myself a migraine, I took the easy way out and gave these 2 songs the number 4 spot on this list.
The first is a song written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739. Although originally sung to a different more solemn tune, English musician William H. Cummings adapted Felix Mendelssohn's cantata, written in 1840 to commemorate Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press, to fit the lyrics of Hark The Herald Angels Sing already written by Wesley to give the glorious music we now know and love. The lyrics are magnificent as it proclaims "Glory to the newborn King" and simply yet powerfully, extoll the purpose of Christ's destiny as the Messiah - "God and sinners reconciled!"
The next song is completely void of the pedigree that Hark the Herald Angels Sing has to offer. Of anonymous authorship, Angels We Have Heard On High, nevertheless, brings to life that one glorious night of our Savior's birth from the perspective of the heavenly angels.
This beautiful carol tells the story of Christ's birth, when the angel choir told the good news to nearby shepherds. The chorus, "Gloria in Excelsis Deo," reflects the chorus of the angel choir that long-ago Christmas night.
These two songs proclaim the good news of our Lord's birth then - and now. Just as the shepherds heard from the angels that one night thousands of years ago, so do we hear God's good news everyday of our lives through His grace that lives on.
Let's stop and reflect on Luke chapters 1 and 2 and exalt in the transformation that Christ gives our lives.
There's a song out there that's NOT on this list called "My Grown-Up Christmas List" that talks about a world of no more lives torn apart and no wars to start yada yada yada. In my world, my Christmas list would simply be more time! More time to reflect, enjoy, enrich, savor and to be grateful for all that God has blessed me with beginning with the birth of Jesus. Rhetorical question, how many out there, just in the last few weeks, have read the first 2 chapters of the Gospel of Luke outside of church service? Or better yet, how many out there have stopped and reflected on these same chapters?
But be that as it may, in 3 days, the world will celebrate the birth of our Savior.
So back to the list. And what list wouldn't be complete without a tie. Just as I did with #5 and #6, this choice was an agonizing decision and rather than give myself a migraine, I took the easy way out and gave these 2 songs the number 4 spot on this list.
The first is a song written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739. Although originally sung to a different more solemn tune, English musician William H. Cummings adapted Felix Mendelssohn's cantata, written in 1840 to commemorate Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press, to fit the lyrics of Hark The Herald Angels Sing already written by Wesley to give the glorious music we now know and love. The lyrics are magnificent as it proclaims "Glory to the newborn King" and simply yet powerfully, extoll the purpose of Christ's destiny as the Messiah - "God and sinners reconciled!"
The next song is completely void of the pedigree that Hark the Herald Angels Sing has to offer. Of anonymous authorship, Angels We Have Heard On High, nevertheless, brings to life that one glorious night of our Savior's birth from the perspective of the heavenly angels.
This beautiful carol tells the story of Christ's birth, when the angel choir told the good news to nearby shepherds. The chorus, "Gloria in Excelsis Deo," reflects the chorus of the angel choir that long-ago Christmas night.
These two songs proclaim the good news of our Lord's birth then - and now. Just as the shepherds heard from the angels that one night thousands of years ago, so do we hear God's good news everyday of our lives through His grace that lives on.
Let's stop and reflect on Luke chapters 1 and 2 and exalt in the transformation that Christ gives our lives.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Songs of the Season #6 and #5
After one doozy of a hectic, gruelling day I'm back to pick up where we left off on my list.
I've agonized and debated over the next 2 songs as far as their respective placements in this list. Under different circumstances these 2 songs would have been much higher up - probably in the top three but - as things go this is where they stand.
I consider song #6 to be THE power ballad of Christmas carols. Musically, it is a masterpiece and very difficult to sing. My most common complaint about artists who attempt to cover the song is this: If you can't hit THE high note on the first try, don't slide into it with a series of arpeggios. It doesn't do justice to the music and it only showcases the artists' technique, not the talent. Besides, the original is always the best, so just "cover" something else.
Anwyay, back to the song - originally written in 1847 by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure this song was intended as a Christmas poem. After realizing that such beautiful words should be set to music, he approached his friend Adolphe Charles Adams and asked him to compose one of the most haunting melodies known to man.
Translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight O Holy Night combines the quiet reverence at “stars are shining brightly,” the regret of the world “in sin and error pining,” the introspection when a “soul felt His worth,” the anticipation behind “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,” the enchantment of “for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn,” the repentance “fall on your knees,” and the worship when “Christ was born” before building to the crescendo of wonderment and exultation of “o night divine.”
This Christmas carol remains one of the most eloquent of songs that brings into focus God's eternal love for man. Once again, I am reminded of my fallenness in contrast to God's outstretched hand.
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Song #5 is another song that's very dear to me and many others worldwide. Following is one of the many versions of how this song came to life:
It was December 24, 1818, and in Oberndorf, Austria, the assistant priest went to the home of his friend, the organist of the small church. He brought the words of a poem that he had written two years earlier and asked him to write a tune to it, to use at the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. The organist, Franz Xaver Gruber, reminded Fr. Joseph Mohr that the organ wasn’t working and so they would not be able to have music for the service. Fr. Mohr went in the other room and got a guitar. Gruber strummed a few chords, then started humming. He exclaimed, "The song, it sings itself." A few hours later, he had composed the tune, and the two men presented the carol for the first time that Christmas Eve.
When the organ repairman, Carl Mauracher, later heard the carol, he took a copy of it with him. He presented it to two groups of traveling singers, who then performed it in their Christmas repertoire, and thus it began its journey around the world. The Strasser and Rainer families traveled and performed all over Europe, and they sang "the Tyrolian folk carol". The Rainer family brought the carol to the United States, first performing it in German in New York City in 1839.
A publisher heard the carol sung near Innsbruck, Austria around 1832. He liked it and published it for the first time, claiming the source to be a "Tyrolian folk song." The songwriters were not known at that time, and the tune had been changed somewhat from the original.
Whatever the circumstance, the world is grateful to the two friends who gave us this simple, yet beautiful picture of the Silent Night that Christ was born.
These two songs evoke images of that one divine night when the world received, in the humblest of circumstances, our King, Lord and Savior. It is that one glorious night that changes the course the man's history and it is that one act of God and His Son that gives mankind an alternative to a deserve eternity of pain and suffering.
I've agonized and debated over the next 2 songs as far as their respective placements in this list. Under different circumstances these 2 songs would have been much higher up - probably in the top three but - as things go this is where they stand.
I consider song #6 to be THE power ballad of Christmas carols. Musically, it is a masterpiece and very difficult to sing. My most common complaint about artists who attempt to cover the song is this: If you can't hit THE high note on the first try, don't slide into it with a series of arpeggios. It doesn't do justice to the music and it only showcases the artists' technique, not the talent. Besides, the original is always the best, so just "cover" something else.
Anwyay, back to the song - originally written in 1847 by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure this song was intended as a Christmas poem. After realizing that such beautiful words should be set to music, he approached his friend Adolphe Charles Adams and asked him to compose one of the most haunting melodies known to man.
Translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight O Holy Night combines the quiet reverence at “stars are shining brightly,” the regret of the world “in sin and error pining,” the introspection when a “soul felt His worth,” the anticipation behind “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,” the enchantment of “for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn,” the repentance “fall on your knees,” and the worship when “Christ was born” before building to the crescendo of wonderment and exultation of “o night divine.”
This Christmas carol remains one of the most eloquent of songs that brings into focus God's eternal love for man. Once again, I am reminded of my fallenness in contrast to God's outstretched hand.
------------------------ ***************** ------------------------
Song #5 is another song that's very dear to me and many others worldwide. Following is one of the many versions of how this song came to life:
It was December 24, 1818, and in Oberndorf, Austria, the assistant priest went to the home of his friend, the organist of the small church. He brought the words of a poem that he had written two years earlier and asked him to write a tune to it, to use at the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. The organist, Franz Xaver Gruber, reminded Fr. Joseph Mohr that the organ wasn’t working and so they would not be able to have music for the service. Fr. Mohr went in the other room and got a guitar. Gruber strummed a few chords, then started humming. He exclaimed, "The song, it sings itself." A few hours later, he had composed the tune, and the two men presented the carol for the first time that Christmas Eve.
When the organ repairman, Carl Mauracher, later heard the carol, he took a copy of it with him. He presented it to two groups of traveling singers, who then performed it in their Christmas repertoire, and thus it began its journey around the world. The Strasser and Rainer families traveled and performed all over Europe, and they sang "the Tyrolian folk carol". The Rainer family brought the carol to the United States, first performing it in German in New York City in 1839.
A publisher heard the carol sung near Innsbruck, Austria around 1832. He liked it and published it for the first time, claiming the source to be a "Tyrolian folk song." The songwriters were not known at that time, and the tune had been changed somewhat from the original.
Whatever the circumstance, the world is grateful to the two friends who gave us this simple, yet beautiful picture of the Silent Night that Christ was born.
These two songs evoke images of that one divine night when the world received, in the humblest of circumstances, our King, Lord and Savior. It is that one glorious night that changes the course the man's history and it is that one act of God and His Son that gives mankind an alternative to a deserve eternity of pain and suffering.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Songs of the Season #7
Song of the Season #7 originally written in Latin, attributed to John Wade, an Englishman in exile from the Jacobite revolt, was initially intended to be a Catholic hymn. "Adestes Fideles" was first published in a collection known as "Cantus Diversi" in 1751 and once again in a 1760 edition of Evening Offices of a Church .
The English version, O Come All Ye Faithful, translated by Frederick Oakeley in 1841, is also known as the "Portuguese Hymn" from a performance in a Portuguese chapel in London, where the Duke of Leeds heard it and introduced it to a group of concert singers he conducted. From there it circled the globe, becoming one of our most well loved Christmas hymns.
Following is an excerpt from a reflection on the words of this much loved Christmas carol:
Pilgrimage played an important role in ancient Jewish faith, with Jews traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover each spring.... As Christians in the twenty-first century, we don't speak much of pilgrimage today. Yet, with the Christmas season, and all through the year, we're invited to take a religious journey to reflect on the miracle of God becoming man, and to recommit ourselves to following him.
During this Christmas season, many will sing the famous words of "O Come, All Ye Faithful." In churches across the globe, millions will join in the words, "O come let us adore him," celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Yet how many will really trust in Jesus and follow him day by day? How many will be faithful in every aspect of their lives? How many will adore him through their words and actions-at work, at home, on the road, and at the mall?
Indeed, how many of us will submit fully to the lordship of our Savior. We, as Christians have a responsibility to bear 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our words and our deeds are the living proof of God' love and His gift and it is our responsibility to exhibit that fully in our lives. Our complete obedience to His will is a magnificent form of adoration for the "...Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing."
The English version, O Come All Ye Faithful, translated by Frederick Oakeley in 1841, is also known as the "Portuguese Hymn" from a performance in a Portuguese chapel in London, where the Duke of Leeds heard it and introduced it to a group of concert singers he conducted. From there it circled the globe, becoming one of our most well loved Christmas hymns.
Following is an excerpt from a reflection on the words of this much loved Christmas carol:
Pilgrimage played an important role in ancient Jewish faith, with Jews traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover each spring.... As Christians in the twenty-first century, we don't speak much of pilgrimage today. Yet, with the Christmas season, and all through the year, we're invited to take a religious journey to reflect on the miracle of God becoming man, and to recommit ourselves to following him.
During this Christmas season, many will sing the famous words of "O Come, All Ye Faithful." In churches across the globe, millions will join in the words, "O come let us adore him," celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Yet how many will really trust in Jesus and follow him day by day? How many will be faithful in every aspect of their lives? How many will adore him through their words and actions-at work, at home, on the road, and at the mall?
Indeed, how many of us will submit fully to the lordship of our Savior. We, as Christians have a responsibility to bear 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our words and our deeds are the living proof of God' love and His gift and it is our responsibility to exhibit that fully in our lives. Our complete obedience to His will is a magnificent form of adoration for the "...Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing."
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Songs of the Season #9 and #8
Well ladies and gents, we had our first, (no doubt of many), interruptions in the flow of this list yesterday. Think of it as a commercial or intermission of sorts, so now - back to our countdown
My pick for #9 is one of the two "youngest" songs on this list. Written by Chris Rice and released in 1997, Welcome To Our World has attracted the attention of Christian recording artists Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant and has become a Christmas staple even on secular radio.
The words behind this song speaks so eloquently of man's brokenness and our need for a Messiah. It brings forth our sorry state and how God offered the perfect gift in His Son. Two verses strike me everytime I hear this song:
Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born
So wrap our injured flesh around you
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect son of god
Perfect son of god
Welcome to our world
I look at these verses and I reflect on God's power and might all wrapped in the helplessness and innate trust of a newborn child, His ultimate destiny and a wicked world who is more in need of Him even as we stand proudly and walk with our airs and misconceptions of independence. This song speaks for our need to be humble in God's presence and it beseeches us to open our hearts to Him - The Perfect Son of God.
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Song #8 dates back to an anonymous text written in Latin in the 12th Century. Tranlated by John Mason Neale in 1851 O Come, O Come Emmanuel is one of the favored Advent hymns of the season. The hymn is peppered with Messiahnic references from the Old Testament including:
Emmanuel (God with us) (Isa. 7:14), Lord of Might (Ex. 19:16), Rod (Branch) of Jesse (Isa. 11:1, Isa. 11:10), Dayspring (Morning Star) (Num. 24:17), Key of David (Isa. 22:22) and the chorus portrays the longing for a bridge to gap the spiritual chasm between God and His people in the person that is our Lord Jesus Christ.
The hymn illustrates our great debt to our spiritual ancestors and just like "Welcome To Our World" this ancient hymn is also vital for today’s Christian, who with the seeming obsession for this present world, must be reminded to prepare for the world that is to come.
These two songs about our Lord, though seperated by centuries and written as proclamations of our Saviour's birth, points to the cornerstone of our faith: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2: 8-9)
My pick for #9 is one of the two "youngest" songs on this list. Written by Chris Rice and released in 1997, Welcome To Our World has attracted the attention of Christian recording artists Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant and has become a Christmas staple even on secular radio.
The words behind this song speaks so eloquently of man's brokenness and our need for a Messiah. It brings forth our sorry state and how God offered the perfect gift in His Son. Two verses strike me everytime I hear this song:
Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born
So wrap our injured flesh around you
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect son of god
Perfect son of god
Welcome to our world
I look at these verses and I reflect on God's power and might all wrapped in the helplessness and innate trust of a newborn child, His ultimate destiny and a wicked world who is more in need of Him even as we stand proudly and walk with our airs and misconceptions of independence. This song speaks for our need to be humble in God's presence and it beseeches us to open our hearts to Him - The Perfect Son of God.
----------------- ***************** ----------------------
Song #8 dates back to an anonymous text written in Latin in the 12th Century. Tranlated by John Mason Neale in 1851 O Come, O Come Emmanuel is one of the favored Advent hymns of the season. The hymn is peppered with Messiahnic references from the Old Testament including:
Emmanuel (God with us) (Isa. 7:14), Lord of Might (Ex. 19:16), Rod (Branch) of Jesse (Isa. 11:1, Isa. 11:10), Dayspring (Morning Star) (Num. 24:17), Key of David (Isa. 22:22) and the chorus portrays the longing for a bridge to gap the spiritual chasm between God and His people in the person that is our Lord Jesus Christ.
The hymn illustrates our great debt to our spiritual ancestors and just like "Welcome To Our World" this ancient hymn is also vital for today’s Christian, who with the seeming obsession for this present world, must be reminded to prepare for the world that is to come.
These two songs about our Lord, though seperated by centuries and written as proclamations of our Saviour's birth, points to the cornerstone of our faith: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2: 8-9)
Saturday, December 09, 2006
The Songs of the Season - #10
I've had my head buried in the sand for a while now. I started a new job a month ago and since my return from Dustistan, I have had 3 out of town weekend trips already and to top it off, the Christmas season is upon us. Chances are I wouldn't be coming up for air until about ohh July next year, if I'm lucky that is.
Despite all this running about, I am taking the time to write about something that's near and dear to my heart. Ever since I was a little girl, I've always had an affinity for Christmas Carols. In the beginning, it was a way to earn Christmas money. Imagine a group of 5 or 6 young girls prancing about the neighborhood at dusk, knocking from door to door, caroling. By the end of the 2 week stint, because we usually start around the 10th of December, we've garnered enough money that I've funded my allowance for the first 2 weeks of the brand new year. Not a mean feat I might add.
Only later in life did I come to realize the true meaning behind the carols I loved to sing. These carols and the more modern Christmas songs have come to symbolize God's love for mankind by giving us His only Son and the different traditions that makes Christmas a time of peace and joy and love.
So without further ado, between today and Christmas Eve, I am unveiling my top ten favorite Christmas Carols. But first, a few honorable mentions:
The Funniest, Most Irreverent Christmas Song:
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. Funny, check, Irreverent, most definitely, to be taken seriously, definitely not, unless you want a padded room all to yourself.
The Most Overplayed Christmas Song on non-Satellite, non-HD Radio:
The Christmas Song. This song about chestnuts and jackfrost and yuletide carols evoke great images until you hear it practically every hour on the hour on every radio station during Christmas. Then you just kinda want to sing "It's A Small World" to get the music out of your head.
The Best Christmas Speech:
A Charlie Brown Christmas. It starts with Linus Van Pelt asking for a spotlight and it usually ends with a lump in my throat. Need I say more? Hooray for Charles Schultz!
and last but not least,
The Best Oratorio about our Lord and Savior:
Handel's Messiah. If you've never heard it, go buy a CD. It's worth the price to hear the entire life of our Lord and Savior underscored with, IMO, one of the grandest and most heartfelt musical scores of all time.
And these are just for starters. The official list starts with:
Number 10 on my list is a song written in 1943 and first recorded by Bing Crosby. I'll Be Home For Christmas touched a nerve with both the civilians and soldiers here in America and abroad deep in enemy territory in the midst of World War II. Together with another Bing Crosby hit "White Christmas", these homegrown Christmas tunes became the most requested songs at Christmas USO shows in the Pacific and European arenas.
Today, with the war in Iraq, this song holds the same poignant longing for both our fighting men and women and their families if not more so. This song is a tribute to the spirit, determination and camaraderie of our soldiers, their families and their community.
To our men and women on the front lines, May God keep you safe and give you peace and joy during this Christmas season. Know that you are in our hearts and in our midst even though at times it's only in our dreams. In the name of His most precious Son -
Despite all this running about, I am taking the time to write about something that's near and dear to my heart. Ever since I was a little girl, I've always had an affinity for Christmas Carols. In the beginning, it was a way to earn Christmas money. Imagine a group of 5 or 6 young girls prancing about the neighborhood at dusk, knocking from door to door, caroling. By the end of the 2 week stint, because we usually start around the 10th of December, we've garnered enough money that I've funded my allowance for the first 2 weeks of the brand new year. Not a mean feat I might add.
Only later in life did I come to realize the true meaning behind the carols I loved to sing. These carols and the more modern Christmas songs have come to symbolize God's love for mankind by giving us His only Son and the different traditions that makes Christmas a time of peace and joy and love.
So without further ado, between today and Christmas Eve, I am unveiling my top ten favorite Christmas Carols. But first, a few honorable mentions:
The Funniest, Most Irreverent Christmas Song:
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. Funny, check, Irreverent, most definitely, to be taken seriously, definitely not, unless you want a padded room all to yourself.
The Most Overplayed Christmas Song on non-Satellite, non-HD Radio:
The Christmas Song. This song about chestnuts and jackfrost and yuletide carols evoke great images until you hear it practically every hour on the hour on every radio station during Christmas. Then you just kinda want to sing "It's A Small World" to get the music out of your head.
The Best Christmas Speech:
A Charlie Brown Christmas. It starts with Linus Van Pelt asking for a spotlight and it usually ends with a lump in my throat. Need I say more? Hooray for Charles Schultz!
and last but not least,
The Best Oratorio about our Lord and Savior:
Handel's Messiah. If you've never heard it, go buy a CD. It's worth the price to hear the entire life of our Lord and Savior underscored with, IMO, one of the grandest and most heartfelt musical scores of all time.
And these are just for starters. The official list starts with:
Number 10 on my list is a song written in 1943 and first recorded by Bing Crosby. I'll Be Home For Christmas touched a nerve with both the civilians and soldiers here in America and abroad deep in enemy territory in the midst of World War II. Together with another Bing Crosby hit "White Christmas", these homegrown Christmas tunes became the most requested songs at Christmas USO shows in the Pacific and European arenas.
Today, with the war in Iraq, this song holds the same poignant longing for both our fighting men and women and their families if not more so. This song is a tribute to the spirit, determination and camaraderie of our soldiers, their families and their community.
To our men and women on the front lines, May God keep you safe and give you peace and joy during this Christmas season. Know that you are in our hearts and in our midst even though at times it's only in our dreams. In the name of His most precious Son -
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