Went to bed to rain, woke up to snow. It's not a big blanket, certainly not enough for a snegovek (snowman),  but the ground is white and it's new. So in the words of my baby brother: "I woke up and found that it snew!"

Bubba had to have a breathing treatment as Christmas Day wound down. Aunt Liz got a video of his demeanor during the process:

Coming to Christmas Day, I wanted to share with you a special rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus. We need to understand that this part of Handel's great oratorio was actually part of the Easter portion of the story. However, it has become one of the traditional parts of many communities' Christmas celebrations. You may click on the links to hear the Silent version of the chorus, or the Mall version. As for the video today, I'm sharing the Young Messiah version featuring Twila Paris (and beginning with the "Worthy Is the Lamb" introduction to the Chorus itself):

I've posted some of 4Him's Christmas music already. Even so, they were able to join in the presentation of Handel's Messiah. Their tight vocal harmony works really well on "The Trumpet Shall Sound"

In the midst of the 1994 tour of the Young Messiah CCM got a taste of their own version of "The Three Tenors". Here are Steve Green, Larnelle Harris, and Michael English sharing "Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs"

Let's pause now for an instrumental in the middle of our Handel-fest, and enjoy "Pastorale" (and no, it's not Kenny G)

I have always been a fan of Larnelle Harris. You might call it "vocal range envy." His version of this portion of Handel's Messiah spotlights that massive vocal range, as well as his incomparable style. Here's Larnelle with "Every Valley":

In drawing close to Christmas Day, I thought my musical gift to you would include portions of G.F. Handel's Messiah.Moving from the classic, I will be posting portions of the "Young Messiah" which was re-packaged and then re-re-packaged and started touring in the Contemporary Christian Music circles in the early nineties.The songs as they appear here will be somewhat out of Handel's original order, but they will get us thinking about the prophecy concerning Messiah all the way to His miraculous birth and purposeful Resurrection. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. We will begin our sampling of the Young Messiah with Matthew Ward singing "Comfort Ye":

You knew that I couldn't get through the Christmas season without a Steven Curtis Chapman song, didn't you? I like so many of his Yuletide offerings like "Christmas Is All in the Heart," his version of some of the old Christmas hymns like "Angels We Have Heard on High," "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!" or "O Come All Ye Faithful." He penned today's song in the mid-1990s telling about how natural a baby the Savior was and how great a Savior this baby is. Here's SC(squared) with "This Baby"

Phillips, Craig, and Dean hit the music scene a number of years ago. Their blend of voices, strong songs about faith, and infectious sense of humor endeared them to audiences everywhere. Today's song is a story. Often people will sing one or two verses, but they miss the whole story when they leave out a verse or two. Listen as the story moves from the sky to the lamb to the boy to the king to the world while PC&D sing "Do You Hear What I Hear"

We continue our Bing-ish salute to Christmas with another collaboration with the Andrews Sisters. Have a good time with "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"

If you haven't seen this flash mob from last Christmas yet, I hope you enjoy it. It falls easily into the category with the Mallelujah Chorus that burned up the Internet last year. This one's a medley telling all about the Christmas story:

While we listen to more of Bing's best Christmas, I debated on whether to post the Carol Richards version or the Rosemary Clooney version. Check out who won the debate as you enjoy "Silver Bells"

As with many of the old stand-bys this song has a little-known intro (that's even missing from today's video). For those of you who are interested here it is:

Christmas makes you feel emotional,
It may bring parties or thoughts devotional,
Whatever happens or what may be
This is what Christmastime means to me . . .

I like the world tour, don't you?

Yes, you heard me right a couple of days ago. I did say that Bing Crosby is Mr. Christmas. Since he bolstered his career on Christmas music and movies, I thought we'd have a little fun over the next few days and hear a few of my favorites. Why don't we start with "Jingle Bells"? When he sings it with the Andrews Sisters it just swings!

And speaking of Scrooge: I wanted to include several of the songs from the musical here (like "Father Christmas" or "I Hate People" or "I Like Life" or "December the 25th"). Even though many people don't include this song on their holiday listening list, they do include the play or the musical in their holiday viewing pleasure. And "Thank You Very (Very, Very) Much"

I make no secret that I not only like Christmas, but I'm a big fan of Charles Dickens' famous tale "A Christmas Carol." I like the redemptive value of a heart steeped in Christmas, and I like many of the re-tellings of that famous story. Some of them have some pretty good music. Take for instance the introduction to the audience of Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol:

[Almost] Everybody and their dog has recorded their version of "The Little Drummer Boy". David Bowie even did a duet with Mr. Christmas himself - Bing Crosby. Modern Christian artists Jars of Clay even released a short album that focused on the song. Based on the legend that became famous with a Rankin/Bass cartoon.The trick with this song is to get the pum-pum-pum-pums right. I think 4Him did an excellent job, what do you think:

Having sheet music is sometimes a horrible thing, and I have the sheet music to today's song. What makes it so horrible for me is that I wanted to find the artist that had the intro as well as the song, it gives the song character:

Over the ground lies a mantel of white
A heaven of diamonds shines down through the night
Two hearts are thrillin' in spite of the chill in the weather . . .

Here's my problem. The oldies section has a number of versions of the song (Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Doris Day, Aretha Franklin, Pat Boone), but all of them start after the intro. I did find a "newer" version by the Eurythmics (posted below) which includes the intro but changes the words in the second verse, I guess to remove the "violence" from the changed line.

Speaking of violence, my brother and I, in our teenage--more violent--years, parodied the song (changing the words) to say: "Later on, we'll perspire, as we sit in the fire." So, here is Annie Lennox and the Eurythmics version of "Winter Wonderland" (the changed line, by the way, is "until the other kiddies knock him down"):

One of the long-standing traditions of the season is Tchaikovsky's ballet, The Nutcracker. The story is superb, and the music is better. One of my favorite pieces from the work is The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The music is the star, so I'm posting the music. (If you've got to see the dance, I'm posting that, too.)

Yesterday, we had Mary's song. Today I'd like to consider what it might have been like to be Joseph. The biblical record says little more than:

¹⁸Now the birth o Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. ²⁰But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
 ²³ "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
   and they shall call his name Immanuel"
   (which means, God with us). ²⁴When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, ²⁵but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. (from Matthew 1, ESV)

This has been a fascination of mine for some time (scroll down past the video to read an excerpt from Just a Simple Carpenter). And a few years ago, the men from 4Him did some consideration about this musically. The result: "A Strange Way to Save the World" -

On the seventh day, I completed the cradle. It would be ready to receive the child the next day, the day of his consecration—his dedication to God. I looked forward to the ceremony. Zechariah made a special point to invite me. He said that he had no other way to repay me for the exquisite bed I had fashioned for his miracle son. I gladly accepted the invitation for it allowed me to be one of the first to see the baby, his mother, and her attendant—Mary.

            After the priests finished with the ritual of circumcision and dedication to God in the custom of Israel, I quickly scanned the faces behind the men. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw her face. Zechariah had spoken the truth. Not only was Mary most radiant among women, not only did her face glow with the beaming smile I remembered, but as I saw her eyes, those eyes that smile into my heart, I could see that she was even more beautiful than my feeble mind could remember.

            And then the crowd moved. Then I saw Mary. I saw her fully. And my world crashed in around me. Truth caved in from her obvious condition. Questions of her fidelity no longer nagged at my mind. One question replaced them all, “Why?”

            Why had that scoundrel Rajeesh, that poor excuse for a man, been right?

            Why had Mary betrayed me? She could not hide the fact that her time to deliver the baby drew near.

Why? Oh, why had I not seen it before? I had loved the young woman before me. This woman who now was obviously bearing a child. I had thought that she loved me as well. I wanted to be angry, but I still loved her. I turned and walked away. I must pray; I must decide what to do. My wife, my very life, had betrayed me. She had betrayed our vows. She had betrayed God.

            I could not stay in the house of Zechariah that night. He had known. He must have known. But instead of telling me, instead of warning me, he said, “She is the most radiant of women. Count the blessings of the Lord God.” And then he returned to the tale of the angelic visit announcing the birth of John.

            I left Jerusalem and slept on the side of the road that night. Tears filled my eyes as I laid down. I had made my decision. I could not bear to keep Mary as my wife; she had been unfaithful. No one even mentioned that she had been attacked on the road to Jerusalem. She even seemed to be happy to be having a baby—a baby that I knew was not my own. No, she could not remain my wife. She had defiled herself before man and before God.

            Neither could I hurt her. Yes, she was no longer the pure woman I had known at our betrothal just months before. But still my heart ached with love for her, a love I knew could never die. I had decided. I would divorce her. But I would do it quietly. I would find a way to keep her from having the disgrace of her unfaithfulness heaped upon her by a noisy public divorce. I would quietly go to her father. We would work out some way to keep Mary’s sin from being further broadcast by the likes of Rajeesh and even my friend Hoshea. It could be done. And I would make it my last act of love for her.

            I wept bitterly as I made my final decision. The only solution that satisfied my dilemma also bored deeply into my heart of love for Mary. Sleep born only of exhaustion overtook me, and I dreamed. I dreamed a dream like none I had ever dreamt before. Nor have I ever dreamt a dream like it since. I dreamt an angel.

From the very first Christmas, Mary has been singing songs. Luke records the Magnificat for us:

⁴⁶And Mary said,

   ^"My soul magnifies the Lord,
 ⁴⁷and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
   For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name.
⁵⁰And his mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation.
⁵¹He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
⁵²he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
⁵³he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and the rich he has sent away empty.
⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever." (from Luke 2, ESV)

Today, I hope you enjoy this more modern version of Mary's Song "Breath of Heaven" sung by Amy Grant. Say what you will about the artist, I believe that this is one of the most moving Christmas songs available today.

All of the children were in the Christmas program @ MGES this year. Here are a few of the selections-- (1) starring Little Bit; (2) featuring Bubba; and (3) the whole school (K-6). [Sorry, I didn't get the camera set right to feature Puddin' N Pie's class by herself.]

Just like Ebenezer Scrooge, what Christmas celebration is complete without seeing the heart transformation of the great green who who lived above Whoville? Please click on the link below to enjoy "Mister Grinch":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzXKWKaxt3c

(Sorry, couldn't embed this one, but it's the best of the versions out there.) For those who have to have an embedded video, try this version (I do like SNC):

For a quick pause from our Christmas music, I'd like to share a couple of videos with you. You see, Bubba had a birthday recently and one of his gifts was a real treat. To introduce this gift, I want to share David Gates and Bread's version of "Guitar Man"



And  now for the REAL Guitar Man:

I know that there are words (see below), but there is just something about the instrumental version (especially by some city's "pops") that makes this song fun. For my comrades in arms from the old Mighty Maroon Band from Skeeterland days, you will remember the year that none of the trumpeters in the Concert Band (second string) seemed to be up to the task of the "neigh" at the end, so Lela did the honors.

Concerning today's video of the Boston Pops: watch for the guy with the slapstick--he seems to be having fun. Also watch the director (John Williams), he seems to be having more than his share of fun with this number (and like most band/orchestra directors, he's 'pom-pomming' right along with the music, even to the last note). Hope you like "Sleigh Ride" as much as I do:

Sleigh Ride

Outside the snow is falling 

And friends are calling 'Yoo-hoo.'

Come on, it's lovely weather 

For a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up, 

Let's go, Let's look at the show, 

We're riding in a wonderland of snow.

Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up, 

It's grand, Just holding your hand, 

We're gliding along with a song 

Of a wintry fairy land.

Our cheeks are nice and rosy 

And comfy cozy are we 

We're snuggled up together 

Like two birds of a feather would be.

Let's take that road before us 

And sing a chorus or two 

Come on, it's lovely weather 

For a sleigh ride together with you.

There's a birthday party 

At the home of Farmer Gray 

It'll be the perfect ending a perfect day 

We'll be singing the songs 

We love to sing without a single stop, 

At the fireplace while we watch 

The chestnuts pop. 

Pop pop pop. 

 

Nothing in the world can buy, 

When they pass around the chocolate 

And the pumpkin pie 

It'll nearly be like a picture print 

By Currier and Ives 

These wonderful things are the things 

We remember all through our lives.

Christmas would not be complete without Jose. In this rendition, he's getting a little old and seems to forget the words from time to time (which is hard to believe no more words than there are), but he is singing in two languages. Feel free to sing along:

Yes, the movie is great, and Bing is the "go to" singer for songs like "White Christmas," but there is something endearing about the Drifters version. I first discovered this on the end of a cassette tape I'd gotten so that I could have a copy of "Under the Boardwalk". Enjoy -- "White Christmas" by the Drifters:



And since you asked, here's Bing's version:

When some songs get mainstream exposure, they get snatched up and re-recorded by everyone and their dog. Today's song is one of those. It's been reinterpreted by artists as wideflung (sure it's a word, and if it's not it ought to be) as Kenny Rogers, Donny Osmond, and Kutless. But I believe that it is best handled by the writers. So here (ignore Bill Gaither if you can) are Mark Lowry (words) and Buddy Greene (music) singing "Mary Did You Know?"

Today is Bubba's birthday - He is a Star Wars/Transformer fiend--actually anything with laser weapons or mechanical men or aliens will do.

Bubba, pictured here with Puddin 'n Pie and Lincoln (Photo taken earlier this year in Vandalia, IL)

Happy birthday, Bubba!

Being the child of the '70s that I am (born in the sixties, but formed most of my opinions in the next decade), no one singer says, "Christmas," to me more than the be-dimpled Evie. I must admit that I'm tempted to post a week's worth of Evie Christmas Tunes--but I'll spare those of you who think that's too much syrup. Instead, I hope you enjoy this version of "Mary's Boychild":

Well, maybe you don't love them, but I do. And to celebrate the Holiday Season, I'm going to try to post a Christmas song a day. Some will be fun, others serious, all will be about Christmas, and I hope you enjoy them all.

I'll start with one that I haven't grown tired of since I discovered it three years ago (in fact, I've posted it every Christmas, but you don't have to search through the archives because I'm posting it again here). It makes sense to start down this musical countdown to Christmas with a Christmas counting song. From Straight No Chaser -- "The Twelve Days of Christmas" (from their college days):



And just for fun, here they are ten years later: