Auld Lang Syne

When I was a kid, we watched the ball drop and listened to Guy Lombardo usher in the new year.  It was a much more genteel version of what New Years Eve is these days, that's for sure.  I remember watching all of those couples dancing to the big band music and thought it must be quite glamorous to get to go to a place like New York, stay in some fancy hotel and watch the ball drop before dancing the night away. 

We lived in the country, the neighbors sprayed their fields with pesticides and the run-off got into the well water that we drank.  Leave me alone.

"Auld Lang Syne" makes me think of New Year's Eve before Dick Clark took over.  And no offense to Dick Clark, but he really needs to retire.  It is painful to watch him emcee this event year after year.  Anyway, I liked New Year's Rockin' Eve back when I was in high school, but when I look back on past NYE's, I do not hear Lady Gaga, Prince or Bruce Springsteen; I hear Guy Lombardo.  I remember parties at our house when we were kids.  And I hear the big band strains of "Auld Lang Syne".

Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah

This has never once happened to me when I was shopping at the mall.  You better believe that if it did, I would be singing along with the professionals.


And because this made me laugh hysterically when I saw it and also made me wish that I had thought of it:


And because my Mom might be reading, here's the best way to listen to the "Hallelujah Chorus" since this is the way it was written to be performed.  Feel free to stand up, not because you want to honor the king of England, but because it's nearly impossible to listen to this song without standing, which of course is the real reason why everyone got up when they got to this part of the Messiah.  Possibly also because they had been politely sitting for over three hours by the time they got around to singing and playing the  "Hallelujah Chorus". 

C H R I S T M A S

Mom taught my sisters and I this song which we sang for "Special Music" at church when we were kids.  I taught it to my kids when they were little and they used to sing it in the car all of the time, including in July while we were on our way to the swimming pool.  I like it because it talks about the important aspects of Christmas which sometimes get lost in the commercialization of the holiday.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

A couple of years ago, I heard a statistic that in our area, about 30% of our Christmases are white.  It certainly wasn't our year this year, since the temperature has barely dipped into the 30's much at all.  There's been plenty of rain though, which would have left us buried until spring if it had been snow.  I like snow at Christmas, but I'm not one who has a hard time "getting into the Christmas spirit" just because there isn't snow on the ground.  I have a hard time catching the spirit because of the absolute ridiculous commercialism though. 

About twenty years ago I took a group of people to Orlando over their Christmas shut down.  We were staying in a hotel and since the temperatures were in the 80's, we took advantage of the swimming pool.  While we were swimming, I realized that the hotel was playing Christmas music on their speaker system out by the pool.  I had a good laugh over listening to Bing Crosby crooning over his dream of a white Christmas while we were swimming in 80 degree weather.  It was quite odd and I was not inspired in the least to wish for snow that year, in spite of Bing's best attempt to persuade me otherwise. 

Our Great Grandmother lived in Toledo and it took forever to get to her house.  When I was a kid, I remember sitting in the back seat of the car while Dad drove us to see her and he always pointed out the Christmas lights along the way.  Listening to CKLW, I remember Mom and Dad singing this song in the car on the way to see Grandma.  I also remember listening to Mom sing it while she baked cookies for us.

We can all dream of a white Christmas, but no one can sing it like Bing Crosby.

Chris Rice's "Welcome to Our World"

Welcome To Our World by Chris Rice

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home
Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence

Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

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

Mark Lowry's "Mary Did You Know"

Sometimes words are not necessary...

O, Holy Night

O Holy Night is quite possibly the best Christmas song ever written. The best instrumental version has never been recorded but if you attended the Swanton Missionary Church back in the 70's and 80's, then you heard Mom's version played quite beautifully on her trombone. When I was a kid, there were many nights during this time of the year when I fell asleep listening to Mom practice "O Holy Night" on her trombone.

Here are some of the lyrics to John Sullivan Dwight's version.
"Long lay the world, in sin and error pining
'til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."

"The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger.
In all our trials born to be our friend."

"Truly He taught us to love one another.
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
and in His name all oppression shall cease."

Quite simply, there is no better rendition of this song than David Phelps'.  The power behind his tenor voice along with the sweeping piano accompaniment makes this an inspiring and thought provoking arrangement.  The beauty of this performance never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

Amy Grant's "Breath of Heaven"

Jingle Bells

Last night we went caroling which of course required us to sing "Jingle Bells" and also "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".  I believe this is the second rule of caroling.  The first one is that people must wear their scariest Christmas ensemble.  You know the one I'm talking about.  It's the one that you probably received from your aunt or grandma, is quite possibly homemade or inexplicably has LED lights embedded in it and when you opened it, you did a double take to make sure your eyes hadn't somehow stopped functioning.  When you ascertained that they were in fact working, you stumbled around for an appropriate response to the train wreck in front of you, as it slowly dawned upon your conscious mind that you would now be required to wear said horror show to every family Christmas function for the foreseeable future. 

Merry Christmas.  

Anyway, that's the first rule as far as I know.  Thankfully, no one in our group has an aunt or grandma who hates them so we just went straight to Rule #2 which is: "Sing "Jingle Bells" and don't forget to LAUGH after the "laughing all the way" part.  I usually need to avoid this part for the following reason:  I am incapable of doing the "HA!  HA!  HA!" part without doing it into the ear of whichever one of my kids happens to be standing closest to me.  The look on their faces when they realize I'm about to embarrass them yet again, usually launches me into real laughter which in turn incapacitates me so I can't sing my favorite part of the song which of course is singing as loudly as possible, the word "upsot".  Funniest.  Word.  Ever.  I wish I had lived in Victorian England so I could have gone through life using that word.  As it stands, I may just start my own campaign to use it whenever humanly possible.  For instance, "While getting gas, the pump did not shut off so it spilled five gallons of fuel on my shoe.  That really upsot me."  or "I was upsot when someone else grabbed the last $400 flatscreen TV right in front of me on Black Friday." (The juxtaposition of Black Friday and a using word such as "upsot" is epic here.) or "Wow.  Another flat tire.  That's upsotting."

Moving along....

What happened last night was Mike was home and got to go caroling with us.  So, now I was supposed to sing "upsot", do the "hahaha's" and not laugh, which means I was not to look at Mike for any reason.  I managed to do this successfully at the first house.  Unfortunately, I also happened to read the third verse of the song (Did anyone besides my Mom know there's FOUR verses to "Jingle Bells"?).  Here's what it says:
A day or two ago
The story I must tell
I went out on the snow
And on my back I fell
A gent was riding by
In a one-horse open sleigh
He laughed as there I sprawling lie
But quickly drove away

Are you kidding me?  I showed it to Mike because what else was I supposed to do?  Then he gave me "The Look".  You know the one I'm talking about.  It's the look that says:  
"I'm choosing to be more mature than you are right now and I'm not going to react to this."
"Not.  Reacting.  No.  Matter.  What."
"Why do you do these things to me in public?"
"Am I supposed to react?
"If so, how am I supposed to react?"
"Would someone PLEASE tell me what the appropriate reaction is to this situation?"
and finally,
"I know I'm going to fail this test aren't I?"
Yeah.  That look.  And because it wouldn't have been an oh so mature interaction between Mike and I otherwise, he just shook his head (which I secretly think sometimes means he wonders why he married me) and cracked up laughing just like I knew he would.  Both of us. Laughing all the way.  HAHAHAHA.  Just like the song.  Because making Mike crack up laughing is the single most important task in my life and because in the end, we are both mature like that.  We were doing the hahaha part when it wasn't time for it.   We didn't have any bells on our bobsled, but there might have been some on the van. Seems like the last repair bill might have said something about reattaching bells on the bobsled.  As I recall, it was a pretty pricey repair.  

Moving along...again....

First of all, in Victorian England, if a female had fallen in the snow a gent would NOT have left the scene while she writhed around in her stupid hoop skirt complete with a bustle trying to figure out a way to get up without showing her bloomers.  The problem of the hoop skirt would have been compounded by the fact that she probably would have had high heeled granny boots on (which apparently are now called ankle boots so younger people want to wear them) and her hands would have been bound up in a ridiculous fur muff.  Probably white fur too.  All of this would surely have been upsotting to the female.  On the other hand, the unsuspecting Victorian gent, probably would have been doing the "hahaha" part of this song because it is certainly quite a scenario and one worthy of many hahaha's as far as I'm concerned.

For the record, when we were kids I always took my part of the "hahaha's" very seriously and enunciated loudly enough for the neighbors to hear.  Quite possibly, it sounded slightly maniacal.  This was followed quickly by uproarious laughter at the word "upsot", not to mention Miss Fanny Bright.  In our house a fanny was, ahem, someone's backside, so the idea of someone's rearend being bright, sent me into side splitting laughter every single time.  No one thought to explain to me that this was apparently someone's name and not a nickname someone was labelled with when they were five.  Finally, when we got to "crack, you'll take the lead", my sisters and I all took advantage of smacking each other on the "crack" part (of the song, not someone's fanny).  We were free to abuse each other as long as Mom's eyes were firmly glued to the music (aka ignoring us as best she could in hopes that we would actually quit fooling around and sing the song appropriately...poor Mom) she was playing and not watching what in the world her offspring were going to invent in order to torture each other with during a Christmas song.  Thankfully, this is not a "Christian" Christmas carol or we would have been dead trying to sing this one for "Special Music" on Sunday morning.  There would have been no way we would have gotten through that one without cracking up laughing even if Mom had threatened us with bodily harm.

Caroling Rule #3 clearly states not to make eye contact with other carolers during the singing of certain songs containing odd words and funny verses.  Now, you know why they had to make this rule.

Caroling Rule #4 states that caroling must be done acapella which is a good thing.  We rocked the acapella part in case you were wondering.  Although secretly I think they made this rule up because it's pretty hard to haul around a piano when you go caroling. It doesn't travel well behind the bobsled and pushing it into and out of people's homes is upsotting to them. 

Here's the lyrics just so you can get a good laugh too!
Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the hills we go
Laughing all the way.
Bells on bobtail ring
Making spirits bright
Oh what sport to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight.

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
O what joy it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride
And soon Miss Fannie Bright
Was seated by my side
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
He got into a drifted bank
And we - we got upsot

A day or two ago
The story I must tell
I went out on the snow
And on my back I fell
A gent was riding by
In a one-horse open sleigh
He laughed as there I sprawling lie
But quickly drove away

Now the ground is white
Go it while you're young
Take the girls tonight
And sing this sleighing song
Just get a bobtailed bay
Two forty is his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack! You'll take the lead.

Nat King Cole's "Jingle Bells"


Frank Sinatra's "J I N G L E Bells"

TSO's Carol of the Bells

Carol of the Bells is either a great song or the worst thing you have ever heard.  There is no middle ground on this one.  Either people are singing it in such a way that it makes you want to stab your ears with sharp objects or it makes you want to go buy a new car.  Because apparently, nothing sells new cars faster than an ad that uses "Carol of the Bells" as the jingle (bells, jingle bells, jing...that's different post).  On second thought, with socialized car manufacturing now firmly entrenched in our country, stabbing your ears with sharp stuff and buying a new car might actually be two forms of torture.  Three, if you add in the taxes you're going to have to pay on that new car.

But, I digress. 

Then there's Trans-Siberian Orchestra's version of it, which defies any explanation at all and is in a class all by itself.  It is the Cadillac (come on, you know me, yes I meant the pun), the carol of the bellsiest of all "Carol of the Bells" recordings and may in fact be the most awesome version of this song ever recorded.  You probably need to somehow like a classic song mixed with synthesized and heavy guitar music to appreciate this recording though.  Listen, if my Mom likes this song, you can like it too.  Mom is a music purist (whatever that means) and it's kind of cute to see her bonding with the grandkids over heavy metal music. 

On the other hand, if you truly can't stand it, then please try to refrain from poking the aforementioned sharp objects into your ears because you can damage your hearing that way.  Not to mention, we are about to be subjected to socialized medicine and you might as well just amputate your ears now as to try and get someone to fix them after your hissy fit over bad music.  And don't forget the old adage from that movie, "The Christmas Coincidence on 40th Street":  Teacher said, "Every time someone pokes stuff in their ears an angel loses it's wings."  This movie was the sequel to the one with the suicidal guy.  And even though I have never actually seen "Miracle on...whatever the address was Street" and the other one I just fabricated about 45 seconds ago, you can see how that doesn't stop me from talking about either one of them as if I am an expert.

I get coal in my stocking and I have never seen "Miracle on Somethingoranother Street" and I go to a support group for this.

"Hi T, welcome.  We don't know the address of that suicidal guy either."

Moving along...  

Back to "Carol of the Bells"...Lyrically, it's not that hard of a song to sing or at least fake.  That's because no one really knows the words to it.  If you can sing four "merry's" in a row at breakneck speed and then a Christmas as well as a "ding" and a "dong" every now and then, congratulations, you may pick up your choir card in the office.  Actually, you might only need to be able to do one or the other since I think the ding dongs are in the bass section.  No offense to any basses who might be reading this. 

Moving along...again...

There might be some other words, but no one can understand them because the tempo is somewhere around quarter note=240.  All of you music majors reading this (Mom) (Um, Mom you are reading this right?!) know what that means.  The rest of you don't worry about it.  It just means sing as fast as humanly possible.  If you can't keep up then just mouth the word "watermelon", don't make any sound at all and smile like you know what you are doing.  That's what someone told me they did when they didn't know the words to the songs and it worked for them.  Maybe it will work for you too, like huked on fonix wurked wen u gotcher lurnin frum soshilized ehjewcashun. 

Too bad Val didn't subscribe to the Watermelon Method when we were kids.  It could have saved us a LOT of embarrassment when we were younger and had to do "Special Music" at church.  We could have used a song book but that was "dumb" so instead she hid the book behind her back so we could make up our own lyrics when we couldn't remember them.  Either that or we would break into bouts of uncontrollable laughter when someone messed up much to the chagrin of our poor Mother.  Because evidently, neither of those scenarios were "dumb".  Sorry Mom.

If Mike and I were going to put Christmas lights on our house, this is EXACTLY how we would do it because we subscribe to the theory that anything worth doing, is worth doing to the extreme.  Also, it would be interesting to count the number of auto accidents the lasers would cause since we live in town on a busy street. 




Just to prove you have to sing this song fast, here's Straight No Chaser doing in 1.5 minutes, what it took TSO three minutes to do.

The Little Drummer Boy

When I was a kid I thought "The Little Drummer Boy" was a dumb song.  That's because I could never get past all the rum pum pum pumming stuff to really listen and ponder the words.  I hated singing all of those stupid, fabricated drum noises.  Get a real drum was what I usually thought when I had to sing this song or be subjected to listening to it.  Better yet, let the Cavaliers drum line record it.  That would be awesome!

Moving along... 

Things changed as I got older and really started listening to the words.  The day came when I was driving down the road by myself when the words hit me with an impact similar to the deer who ran straight into the side of our van a couple of years ago.  It did almost as much damage to my idiotic, juvenile thinking as the deer did to the front quarter panel too.  Suddenly, "The Little Drummer Boy" wasn't such a stupid song anymore.  I had gotten past all the fabricated drum sounds and really listened to the words. I couldn't wait to hear it again.  And when I did, the floodgates opened.

The idea that when we give our best to Jesus, no matter how small our gift may be, how old we are or whether or not we have the proper education is a concept that becomes more and more foreign in our materialistic society.  We are driven by the biggest and best and sometimes it becomes an excuse not to do what God wants us to do.  We say, "I'll do that when I finish my degree, when I have more money in the 401k, when I'm older, wiser, when the kids are on their own, etc."  Meanwhile we are missing opportunities to bless and be blessed.  

We are missing opportunities to honor God with our obedience. 

I believe that God is most pleased when we use the gifts and talents He has given us to accomplish His will in our lives.  I believe that He uses us to touch other people's lives as well.  So when we use the talent(s) He has given us, we allow Him to work in our lives and sometimes even in the lives of other people.  Our willingness to do His will through using our gifts, is a powerful concept.  The little drummer boy offered to Jesus, the only gift he had; that of His music.

God has blessed us all with gifts and talents.  What gift has He blessed you with that you are willing to use to for His glory?  

Little Drummer Boy
by: Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone in 1958

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Baby Gesu, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?


Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

There are lots of recorded versions of this song.  The one by the Harry Simeone Choir is the classic and probably the best of all of them.  However, there are also a couple of acapella versions that are quite fitting with the simplicity of this song.


Here's Chicago, with an awesome, rockier version of the song.  It was recorded somewhere in the late 90's.

Away in a Manger

It's a rule that when kids are doing a Christmas program, "Away in a Manger" must be one of the songs they perform.  I'm not sure why though, maybe it's because of the simplicity of the melody.  Since she was the youngest baby in the church (11 weeks), my youngest daughter portrayed the baby Jesus in a program about ten years ago.  For some reason, Mary, Joseph and all of the Wise Men didn't seem overly thrilled when she spit up all over Mary.  Thankfully, no one else took her cue or else I think the program might have gotten derailed!

The song was first published in 1885, with only two verses and was originally entitled "Luther's Cradle Song". However, the music was composed by J.E. Clark and was called "St. Kilda" prior to the addition of the lyrics.  Martin Luther was credited as writing the lyrics, however, this was not true.  The third verse was not added until 1892 by Charles Gabriel. (You can find out more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Away_in_a_Manger )

Here are the lyrics:
Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the bright sky
looked down where He lay
Matthew 2:1&2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay
Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

1 Chronicles 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 
Close by me forever
Psalm 38:21 Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
And love me I pray
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there
John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.


It seems like anyone who has ever recorded Christmas music has probably recorded "Away in a Manger".  I chose Anne Murray because her music and her voice reminds me of Dad.  He liked to listen to her when we were travelling and we attended a couple of her concerts, including a Christmas concert probably 25 years ago.  I also like the alternative recording of this song.  There are some others who have recorded it like this as well, such as Michael W. Smith.  I hope you enjoy it.

Silent Night

When I was a kid I listened to my Grandma sing "Silent Night" one Christmas and I thought that perhaps the angels were singing.  I don't really know if Grandma was that great a singer, but in my childish mind, her rendition of "Silent Night" was simply beautiful to me.  Even if she wasn't, this was her favorite Christmas carol and it always reminds me of her.

It also reminds me of something that happened about five or six years ago; in Dad's van on the way home from Gatlinburg in July, Kate, Corinne and Bethany were singing.  Kids sing whatever they like, whenever they want to and as it comes to their minds.  They could really care less whether or not they sing Christmas music during the appropriate season so they were singing "Silent Night".  

Corinne and Bethany had very high soprano voices at that time since they were probably five and six years old.  While they were singing, it got really quiet in the van and when they ended, my Dad said, "That was my Mom's favorite Christmas song.  You girls sang that very well.  Will you sing it again?"  So, they sang it again for Grandpy.  It was beautiful as only little girls who love to sing can do it.  From my seat in the van, I saw Dad wipe a few tears from his eyes.  Whether this was in response to him missing his parents or because the girls sang that song with their hearts is anyone's guess.  I just know that this remains a poignant memory of mine; especially this year since Dad won't be with us to celebrate anymore Christmases.

This is what I think of when I sing "Silent Night".

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Luke 2:6-7 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
and later in Luke;
Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born
Luke 2:8-12 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
2 Peter 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the word (Jesus), and the word (Jesus) was with God and the word was God
2 The same was in the beginning with God
3 All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made
4 In Him was life and the life was the light of man
5 And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
John 3:16-21 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth "

The following recording starts out with the trombone section of the U.S. Army Concert band which fades into an acapella rendition of "Silent Night" sung by the Soldiers' Chorus.  The acapella element seems fitting for this song.  Additionally, the lead trombone has a tone reminiscent of my Mom's.  This video reminds me of falling asleep many nights when I was a kid, to the sound of my Mom practicing her horn.


And just because I wanted too, here's a rare recording of Frank Sinatra accompanied on the piano by his son Frank Sinatra, Jr.   The simplicity of the piano and vocals is appealing and fits well with this song.



"Silent Night" sung in other languages always fascinates me because the hymnal our church used when I was a kid, also included the alternate language which of course prompted us to sing it phonetically.  I'm sure we did a bang up job that was appealing to anyone within hearing range.  I ran across this video, the description of which appears to be in either German or Dutch.  Through a very rudimentary understanding of German, I believe it says the concert was in 1995 (ok, that part was clear) in the Doelen concert hall in Rotterdam.  The choir was under the direction of Leitung von Cor de Haan.  The flautist is Margaret Roest and the orchestra played under the direction of Altistin Tamar Niamut.  I included it because of the size of the choir and the pipe organ.  It offers a very impressive backdrop and I would love to hear it's throaty bass pipes.  This recording proves the old adage that music really is a universal language.  

Chicago's "Let it Snow"

"Let it Snow" is a fun Christmas song, although honestly, I'm not sure why it's only used at Christmas.  I don't think there's anything overly Christmasy about it therefore there's no reason why it couldn't be used anytime during the winter.  It's fun enough that it's unfortunate the song only gets play time starting two weeks before Halloween and ending 45 seconds after midnight on December 25.  Keeping all of that in mind, I have been known to sing this song with gusto each time it snows; sometimes while I'm out shoveling it, much to the consternation of my kids.  It is during these times that the kids also either give me weird looks or join in with equal abandon.  I imagine there is a day coming when they will look at me with pity while they are hauling me off to the loony bin or at least a home for people with no sense of when to sing certain songs, while surreptitously giving each other high fives. 

Moving along...

"Let it Snow" was written in 1945 by Sammy Cahn (lyricist) and composed by Jule Styne.  It's been recorded countless times by artists such as: Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Harry Connick, Jr., Chicago and Michael Buble'.  The list of people who haven't recorded "Let it Snow" is probably shorter, such as me.  Anyway, the recording by Bing Crosby is probably the one that most reminds me of Christmas when I was a kid and I still love his rendition.  But, there's a lot to be said for Harry Connick, Jr.'s big band style recording, not to mention Michael Buble's.

On the other hand, who doesn't like Chicago?  In high school marching band, we played "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" with the "Get Away" tag at the end and everyone danced to "You're the Inspiration" and "Hard Habit to Break" at our Senior Prom.  Turns out the people we were dancing with were neither all that inspiring, nor did anyone end up needing a twelve step program to break their boy/girlfriend habit after all.  Anyway, if you attended "Purple Rain" at Swanton High School in 1985, then you know what I'm talking about.  Also, the whole purple thing was apparently a nod to Prince's recording of "Purple Rain" which was hugely popular at the time and had the added benefit of incorporating our school colors.  It was not a reference to some bizarre atmospheric condition in Swanton.  In fact, Prince may have had our school in mind when he recorded the song, who knows?  Mad props must go to the decorating committee. 

But I digress. 

When Chicago played Centennial Hall (now, Savage Arena) at the University of Toledo, my friends and I scored tickets in a section right next to the stage.  Ticket price - $20, being close enough to watch them blow the spit out of their horns - priceless. <---That's because we were all brass players and spit is just part of the game.  It isn't gross unless you purposefully and deliberately empty your spit valve on someone's shoe.  Not that my sisters and I ever tried such a stunt when mom was forcing us to we were practicing.  On second though, maybe it wasn't that priceless...  Anyway, when they played the Toledo Zoo Amphitheater, we were thrilled to sit and listen to them drown out the sounds of the lions roaring. Or who knows, maybe the lions were showing their appreciation to the sound of real instruments in this group.  Peter Cetera was the lead singer at the time until he went out on his own, but mid/late-80's Chicago will forever remind me of high school.

Here's Chicago's version of "Let it Snow" with their signature harmonies and instrumentals.



Just for fun, here's Bing Crosby, Mr. Christmas himself.

Straight No Chaser's "12 Days of Christmas"

If you don't like the "12 Days of Christmas" you probably get coal in your stocking.  It's ok.  I do too.  There's even a support group for us. 

"Hi, everyone.  My name is T and I don't like the song the "12 Days of Christmas".  My swans went belly up, the calling birds have laryngitis, the leaping lords ran off with my milking maids leaving the cows in distress and mooing loudly enough to wake the neighbors.  The dancers tried to pretend they were the Rockettes and while they were doing their "Can-Can" move, the middle of the row fell down bringing everyone else with them and most of them are now currently laid up in the hospital with an assortment of broken bones.  It also turns out my five gold rings are really 10k gold over silver plate so they turned my fingers green."

"Hi, T.  Welcome to our group.  We understand.  We get coal too.  It's twelve days worth of coal, but at least we have something to burn in our fireplace.  Try burning the leaping lords.  You get a minimum of 20 to life for that unless you hock all of your presents and hire a good attorney."

Ahem...

There are relatively few times where I have heard this song done without someone breaking into peals of laughter.  Never mind, I think that was me and it was usually in response to people trying to either a) remember how many of what item you are supposed to give on the seventh day of Christmas or b) listening to people attempt to count backwards and simultaneously sing.  Honestly though, wouldn't seven days or maybe ten days have sufficed?  Why twelve?

Moving along...

There is some speculation that this song was designed as a catechism to help Catholics learn their faith at a time when it was illegal for them to openly practice their religion.  The following list is what the lyrics are supposed to represent: 
one - Jesus
two - the Old and New Testaments
three - the three kings who brought gifts when Jesus was born
four - the four gospels
five - the Pentateuch
six - the six days of creation
seven - the seven gifts of the holy spirit
eight - the Beatitudes
nine - the fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 - the Ten Commandments
eleven -  the eleven faithful apostles
twelve - the twelve points of the Apostles creed
Whether or not this is the true meaning of this song has never really been proven.

Straight No Chaser's version of the 12 Days of Christmas is quite hilarious.  They managed to incorporate parts of the following songs:
"Carol of the Bells"
"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"
"Jingle Bells"
"Deck the Halls"
"Here We Come a'Wasailing"
"The Boar's Head Carol" (Hands down, this is the weirdest Christmas tradition ever to base a carol upon.  Do a google search on it if you don't believe me!  Also, the fact that I knew what this song was is just further proof of Mom's musical influence in my life.  Although thankfully, she did not ever make us sing this song.  Or play it.  Or make us listen to it.  Thanks Mom!)
"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"
"I Have a Little Dreidel" 
"Africa" recorded by the band Toto in the 80's
Personally, I think they could have tried a little harder and incorporated twelve different songs just to preserve consistency.  However, it's funny enough with a measly eight.

The song, which may or may not have been written by someone with ADHD, appears to be going off track several times.  However, that is funny and fitting to me since most of the time when people try to sing it, they either have to stop and try to remember what the gift is supposed to be or how many of the item they are supposed to be giving!  For the record, don't ask me to sing it either because I may mess it up just for the sheer enjoyment of getting a laugh.  Or perhaps I really don't know the words either.  I'll have to keep that part a secret. 

My Dad went to see Kenny Rogers about 20 years ago.  When he did this song, he pulled twelve people out of the audience, assigned each person a number and then proceeded to try and have them perform it.  Dad said it was the funniest thing he had ever seen.  People were trying to remember what number they had, how to count backwards and whether or not it was eleven ladies leaping or nine lords milking cows with golden rings.  Whether or not the rings belonged to the cows or the lords was never fully disclosed and I'm not sure if the good people of Toledo know the answer this many years later.  I can only imagine the hilarity this song must have instigated!  The fact that I didn't get to see it forced me into counseling for awhile.  Either that or it was because of that boar's head song.  

Enjoy!  When you get done listening to this, you should probably take an inventory to make sure you have enough of these items.  According to PNC bank, this year it will cost you approximately $24,300 and you wouldn't want to disappoint your true love.

Selah's "Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel"

Once upon a time, I did not like this song for one simple reason; I did not like the minor key in which it was written.  At one time in my life I did not feel the need to listen very closely to something composed in a minor key.  Minor keyed compositions equaled depressing pieces of music as far as I was concerned, so I tolerated such songs until they were over.  They didn't seem very "Christmasy" to me.  Christmas songs should be upbeat, not written in minor keys.  That was my philosophy as shallow and juvenile as it may seem.

A couple of years ago, two things happened that drastically changed my mind about "Oh Come, O Come, Emmanuel".  In the midst of my boycott of minor keyed songs, the group Selah, released their "Rose of Bethlehem" CD.  Since I liked Selah, I took the time to really listen to the words and was blown away by the power behind them.  It also helped that their recording combines "Hatikvah" (translated "the hope") which is Israel's national anthem.  

Written by Naphtali Herz Imber, "The Hope", also in a minor key, is a beautiful, emotion inspiring piece of music.  There are elements of it running through Selah's recording of "Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel" and the result of the mournful violin, coupled with the words of the song and the power behind the voice is quite simply beyond description.  One can almost audibly hear Israel's lament through the voice of the violin.

The second thing that happened was a concert that I attended.  My Mom was playing with the Christian Festival Choir and Orchestra on a concert that also included Masterworks Chorale.  They played in the Peristyle of the Toledo Art Museum.  I was excited about this concert because I had always heard wonderful things about the acoustics in the Peristyle, but I had never heard anything performed there.  As I scanned the program, I saw that "Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel" was one of the songs on the list that night. 

A young lady with a deeply, rich alto voice sang her heart out on this song and I am not ashamed to say that it brought tears to my eyes.  While we were helping Mom get her trombone and assorted "gig" equipment to the car, we ran into the lady who did the solo.  I'm sure it was not coincidence.  I complemented her solo and then told her I never used to like that song until recently.  She laughed and said she never liked it either for the same reason I didn't, until she started practicing for the performance.

When one really ponders the words, they read as if they are taken straight out of Isaiah.  They are a plea to a holy, righteous God to return and redeem His people.

The original lyrics were written in Latin sometime in the 12 Century.  It is unknown who wrote them nor is there evidence of who composed the music.  Tradition holds that the melody was French and that the words were added to the music at a later date.  The Latin lyrics were translated into English by John Mason Neal in 1851.

Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel
Translated: John Neal, 1818-66

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times gave holy law,
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come O Rod of Jesse's stem,
From ev'ry foe deliver them
That trust your mighty pow'r to save;
Bring them in vict'ry through the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Hymn # 31 from Lutheran Worship
Author: French Processional
Tune: Veni Emmanuel
1st Published in: 1854

Michael W. Smith's "Gloria/Angels We Have Heard on High"

I was listening to Michael W. Smith long before he was officially cool.  It all started at a youth retreat at Fort Wayne Bible College back in the mid 80's.  My cousin was attending school there so I went to check out the school and attend the weekend retreat.  She had MWS's first cassette, entitled Michael W. Smith Project and there was a little song on it called "Friends".  By the time the weekend ended, I was hooked on MWS and by the time the school year ended, I had our entire high school singing "Friends" while the seniors all bawled at commencement because of the message in that song.  I may even be personally responsible for the success of that song in Northwest Ohio.

I may also be delusional but that's between my psychiatrist and myself, thankyouverymuch.  I may have forgotten to take my medication today too.

Moving along...

I was thrilled when MWS released a Christmas project and "Gloria/Angels We Have Heard on High" quickly became a favorite of mine.  It is impossible to listen to this song without a) turning up the volume b) tapping out a beat either on your steering wheel, your sibling sitting next to you in the backseat or the headrest of the seat your parent is sitting in and c) drive the speed limit while listening to it.  This song moves, is what I'm saying and it will make you move too!  It's got some of Michael W. Smith's signature keyboard sound in it as well as some great orchestral arrangements, not to mention the full choir in the background. 

I dare you to listen to this song without speeding down the road and getting a ticket, tapping your feet or busting out a beat on your little brother or sister.  Better do it while your parents aren't watching though or they'll gitcha.

The Birthday of a King

Today is my friend Shelly's birthday and that reminded me of a song that my sisters and I sang for "special music" at church when we were kids.  Believe me when I tell you that the "Bloomer Girls" performances were always special.  Thankfully, youtube was not around in the 70's.  Also, video cameras required three men and a boy to haul around so no one had those either! 

Moving along...

W. H. Neidlinger wrote this song and it has been recorded by many people including David Phelps and Judy Garland.  About ten years ago, I was part of a trio that performed it at church.  Of course, I changed the lyrics a little bit because I wouldn't be me if I didn't.  Anyway, on the second verse it says, "From the manger bed, what a path was led" but I didn't like that so I changed the "was" to "He" because that made more sense to me.  It still does.  For the record, the other two ladies liked it better as well.  To quote Yukon Cornelius in "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", you eat (in this case sing) what you like and I'll eat (sing) what I like.

Ahem...    

I love the simple harmony and lyrics of this song.  It seems very fitting to me as it describes the first moments of Jesus' life on Earth.  The idea that a perfect, holy God came to us in a humble stable when He could have come in full majesty and glory is profound to me.  The only announcement was His star and the angels that proclaimed His birth to the shepherds in nearby fields.  He could have announced His arrival in a myriad of attention grabbing ways, but he chose this way instead. 

Humble. 

Simple.

Human, yet God. 

Here's a recording of "The Birthday of a King".  Personally, I like this song just a little bit faster, but I really like the way this trio sounds and decided to use it.
  


Here are the lyrics:
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.

Alleluia
Oh 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 oh how much
God gave to us that day!
From the manger bed what a path has led
What a perfect holy way.

Alleluia
Oh how the angels sang!
Alleluia
How it rang!
And the sky was bright
With a Holy light
Twas the birthday of a King

The Chipmunks Christmas Song

There is nothing redeeming about this song musically-speaking.  Truthfully, I can't even say I like it.  However, it sure does stir up the memories of Christmases past.  My sisters and I would stack up as many LPs as the record player would allow ("Awwww!  Val!  Mom's going to yell at you if she sees how many records you put on there!) and then crank up the stereo as loud as Mom would allow (Awwww!  Val!  Mom's going to yell at you if you turn it on that loud!).  You can see how Val was the ringlea, um, bandleader in all of this, while me and Mel were innocent bystanders helplessly following her corrupt footsteps, right?  Then we would proceed to sing this song at the top of our lungs complete with the over-enunciation of the "p" at the end of hula-hooP.  It was as if our Mom was not a music teacher and had taught us exactly nothing about music and the proper performance of it.  Anyone reading this from the Swanton Missionary Church and who also remembers the "Reach Out to Jesus" fiasco back in the 70's, please feel free to ponder this statement over the next few days.  I'm sure you will have a renewed appreciation for our poor Mom! 

You know that adage, "It sounds like music to my ears?"  Our Mom was an accomplished musician and I guarantee this song made her ears itch until they bled and also instilled the desire for her to reach down our throats and yank our tonsils out by the roots (thankyouverymuch Jamie Hafner, University of Toledo Band Director for sharing that with our All County Band back in the 80's.  I probably didn't learn a darn thing about music then either, but I loved this visual and have used it myself repeatedly through the years!).  It's really no wonder that Val ended up not having any tonsils because either a) they were surgically removed or b) Mom removed them using the procedure described above.  It really all depends on who's telling the story.

You should probably feel sorry for our Mom right now for having to put up with us all of those years.  It's a wonder she's still mostly sane!  

Admittedly, we did these things just to see how long we could get away with it.  We knew it irritated our poor Mother who was out in the kitchen whipping up thousands of batches of Christmas cookies because she loved us in spite of us playing this ridiculous song on her stereo at sound barrier breaking levels.  Needless to say, Mom hated intensely disliked this record!  It ranked right up there with the album "Songs Your Mother Never Sang" which we also listened to whenever she was gone because she hated that one too even though it was her Dad's to begin with.  For the record, she probably didn't really make thousands of batches of cookies, but she always said she had to quadruple any cookie recipe she made if there were to be any left for us to eat after giving them away for Christmas gifts.  Since she made at least 14 different kinds, that probably equals somewhere close to thousands of batches if you do math like Val.  I never did figure out what "left" meant.  We always snagged our cookies while they were still warm.  Everyone else got what was "left". 

Anyway, enjoy...or step away from your computer and in honor of our poor Mother, don't listen to this song.  And maybe you should say a prayer for her too.  Sometimes I think she's still recovering from having to raise us! 

Harry Connick, Jr.'s "I Pray on Christmas"

Here is another Harry Connick, Jr. song from the "When My Heart Finds Christmas" CD.  It's very bluesy, New Orleans style jazz, basically his signature sound.  The kids like to jam on this song and I sing the "Oh sweet Jesus" harmony.  It's quite fun and we usually end up laughing at our theatrics.  Theatrics in this house?  Who would have guessed?!  This is just a fun song if you like this style of music.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

A couple of weeks ago, I dug out the Amy Grant Christmas CD and have been listening to it ever since. There's a series of songs on the CD that I get stuck on and repeat them endlessly when I'm in the car by myself. Sometimes I do it when I'm not by myself and finally let the CD play through when or if someone comments on how many times they had to listen to the same song(s). Usually, when this happens I tell them to get their own car with a CD player, because I'm mature like that. 'Tis the season.

Moving along...

"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" is a great song that seems as if it is almost completely taken out of the scriptures. In fact, when I really think about the words, the song sounds like the musical version of Jesus’ miraculous birth and God’s plan of salvation that could only be fulfilled in Jesus‘ sacrificial death on the cross.

In Amy Grant’s version of the song, the soaring orchestral arrangement ushers in the last verse that helps me to envision God’s triumph and judgment over sin. The crescendo that builds from the beginning of the last verse until the plea of “build in us, thy humble home”, reminds me of a day that is coming; a day wherein the Prince of Peace will claim His own. A day when He will return, not as a baby in a manger, nor as a servant quietly and humbly riding on a donkey through the gates of Jerusalem to eventually assume His place on the cross, but a day when He will return in full majesty and glory, riding on the clouds of His creation. A day when every knee will bow in worship to the King.

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, is a song that goes far beyond the advent season. It helps me to remember the hope of God’s promise of eternal life. It is truly unfortunate that this song is only used at Christmas. The words are timeless, accurate and deeply worshipful if one considers everything that Christ has done for us.

The following thoughts and scripture references are what I think of when I sing these lyrics written by Charles Wesley.  My interpretation may not be what he intended with his prose and it may not be what you think of when you sing it.  I only offer my own thoughts in worshipful reverence to God.

Verse One
Hark the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

With angelic hosts proclaim
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
With angelic hosts proclaim
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Luke 2:10-14 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Verse Two
Mild he lays His glory by

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Born that man, no more may die

John 11:25 & 26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Born to raise the sons of earth

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Born to give them second birth

John 3:1-15 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Veiled in flesh the godhead see

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Hail the incarnate Diety

Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

and also, Rom 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Pleased as man, with men to dwell

Hebrew 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth (Jesus) and they that are sanctified (Christians) are all of one (God): for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,*

Pause for a moment and wrap your mind around the thought that Jesus, the perfect Son of God is not ashamed to call us, in our fallen and sinful state, His brother/sister!

Jesus our Immanuel
Pleased as man, with men to dwell

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Jesus our Immanuel

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Immanuel means God with us and in Hebrews we read:

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Verse Three
Hail the Heaven born Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Hail the sun of Righteousness

Psalm 71:19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!

Jeremiah 33:15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

Light and life to all he brings

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Risen with healing in His wings

Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Christ the highest Heaven adored
Christ the everlasting Lord

Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Come desire of nations, come

Haggai 2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

Fix in us, thy humble home

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Come desire of nations, come
Fix in us, thy humble home. 

Amy Grant's version of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (scroll down to the bottom of the page and turn off the playlist music)