we interrupt this blog...

... the design features of blogger are beginning to mystify me. this doesn't look the way I want, but I have to fix it later!

pat-a-pan

For the twelfth, and last day of Christmas, I thought I'd go literal! As the song implies, this means twelve drummers drumming. I will spare you any rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy" (while I like the song, many have been driven mad by it.) Instead, another of my favorites to sing. This is the very same arrangement that the Schleptet used to sing (minus the cheesy morning announcer), even taking it Christmas caroling.

I hope to post a Christmas wrap up later - no time just now!

something about flocks and shepherds

The cool thing (or, frankly, annoying if someone picks the "wrong one") about hymns and carols is that there can be more than one tune for a hymn. Likewise, there can be more than one hymn sung to a given tune! (Come to think of it, it can be confusing, too.)

One of my favorite Christmas carols to sing in a congregation is rarely on anyone's top ten list, so it's kind of under the popular carol radar: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night. It is one of the first carols I ever learned - I think my Sunday School class must've sung it in a pageant or something when I was quite small. (Though I am fairly certain I would not have been able to participate in a pageant at all when I was quite small. Memories are so tricky!) It tells the story of what happened to the Bethlehem shepherds on Christmas night. I have always found it thrilling to imagine myself in their place:

While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around, and glory shone around.

“Fear not!” said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind.
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind, to you and all mankind.

“To you, in David’s town, this day is born of David’s line
A Savior, who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign, and this shall be the sign.

“The heavenly Babe you there shall find to human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid, and in a manger laid.”

Thus spake the seraph and forthwith appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God on high,
Who thus addressed their song, who thus addressed their song:

“All glory be to God on high, and to the Earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from Heaven to men
Begin and never cease, begin and never cease!”

Here is, I think, the original tune - one that I can't recall ever singing myself - gorgeously sung by some English lads:

Lovely, no? I do know at least three versions of this carol (there are more than that, though!) and have sung them at different times of my life. This one brings memories of Skyline Choir (the video doesn't start exactly at the beginning of the song):

There is a really silly/cute interpretation of this tune, starting at about 4:30 in this clip. (I can't find it on it's own, only in this ten-minute video!) I have fond memories of Aaron and I rolling on the floor with laughter at this little guy. If you enjoy VeggieTales, you'll love it!

Here's the tune I learned as a child, and it is still my favorite. It's been interesting searching videos for these blog posts, as I do not always immediately (or ever) find what I'm looking for. I think this one captures the spirit of my memories of this song the best!

Which is your favorite? Or is it one I've missed? Do share!

Breath of Heaven

(hearing from Joseph, we now hear from Mary's story)

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 as 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... 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, Breath of heaven.

This song has been a part of my Christmas for many, many years. After singing it this Advent with my little church choir, however, it will never be the same. I will now always hear Ms. Laura Grace singing in slightly anxious, dulcet maiden tones the (well-imagined) words of Mary, and the angelic choir in response. I will remember the tears and the love that were evident in response on that December Sunday morning. I will remember the look of fierce pride and love on Laura's father's face, and the calming reassurance on her mother's.

I will remember the realization that Mary's pleas - hold me together, be near me, lighten my darkness - are supplications that I have made in the past, perhaps we all have, and that my friend Sue, who sang right beside me that morning, now makes on a daily basis. And I remember that those who cry out to God - we are the lucky, the blessed ones. For we believe that there is One who hears our pleas. Breath of Heaven.

Joseph's Song

words and music by Michael Card

How could it be? This baby in my arms sleeping now so peacefully - the son of God, the Angel said - how could it be?

Lord, I know he's not my own. Not of my flesh, not of my bone. Still, Father, let this baby be the son of my love.

Father, show me where I fit into this plan of yours. How can a man be father to the son of God? Lord, for all my life, I've been a simple carpenter. How can I raise a king?

How can I raise a king?

He looks so small, his face and hands, so fair. And when he cries the sun just seems to disappear. But when he laughs it shines again. How could it be?

Father, show me where I fit into this plan of yours. How can a man be father to the son of God? Lord, for all my life, I've been a simple carpenter. How can I raise a king? How can I raise a king?

How could it be? This baby in my arms sleeping now so peacefully - the son of God, the Angel said - how could it be?

How could it be?

Auld Lang Syne

sure, it's a long clip. but classics are totally worth it, right?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,and days of old lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne
we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun 'til dine;
But seas between us broad have roar'd since auld lang syne (v.4)

And there’s a hand my trusty friend ! And give us a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught, for auld lang syne. (v.5)

So this is the song we sing, in the wee hours of this day. It is foreign, it is tossed off without a thought. We don't even know what it really means. Well... not so fast. According to Wikipedia (the inerrable source quoted above), Sally was right, it really is about old friends: "The song begins by posing a rhetorical question as to whether it is right that old times be forgotten, and is generally interpreted as a call to remember long-standing friendships.

I am as likely as anyone to get mushy around the holidays, especially about old friends. If I were to do a call-out here, the list would be long, not terribly interesting (after you'd read the names you already know) and likely - inadvertently - incomplete.

I simply know that I am inordinately blessed by good and even excellent friendships, and have been for most of my life. I cannot imagine the poverty of being without loved ones. Heck, I got sick the other day, and five people offered to bring me groceries. Well-stocked cupboards aside, that is some wildly generous stuff. What rare, rich and fortunate beings we are, to be so blessed as to live in a community of caring fellow humans! To be connected, one to the other, by love and by friendship. Words hardly do justice, and cannot truly express my joy in you, dear friend. As I grow older and, hopefully, wiser, I pray that I take my friends less for granted and give thanks for the extraordinary human bounty they represent!

Happy 8th day of Christmas to you all!