Sunday, December 22, 2013

Sunday Faith Post

Would that those of us who'd want to could go together into that Christmas-ready church.......what hymn do you wish they were playing as we entered?


A scene from the past....peace, happiness, and excitement about Christmas coming.....something beautiful to ponder.    Enjoy this last Advent Sunday.


Blessed is
The season which
Engages the whole
World in a
Conspiracy of love.
-Hamilton Wright Mabie

 Have a wonderful Sunday! Z

24 comments:

elmers brother said...

O Holy Night....my father's favorite. Makes me weep.

christian soldier said...

Merry CHRIST mas- Z- to you and yours--

Hugs-XO
Carol-CS

christian soldier said...

as to the hymn-
Lift High the Cross--
Joy to the World-by Isaac Watts-
and any of Watts' battle hymns-

Remember-when the colonist fighters were backed against a church w/ no wadding for their muskets- they went in and tore the sheets from the hymnals for wadding--and their battle cry was-
"GIVE THEM WATTS-BOYS!"
Z-you have a Lutheran hymnal I am sure- look up Watt's hymns - you will be surprised at the words and why the freedom lovers clung to them--
Carol - Christian Soldier

christian soldier said...

to be clear - George Kitchin wrote the words to LIFT HIGH THE CROSS--

OK-another-
Battle Hymn of the Republic by Julia Ward Howe--

I could go on- but - I look forward to seeing what the others who comment have to offer (-:
Carol-Christian Soldier

Always On Watch said...

i love that graphic depicting a scene from the past!

If only we could turn back time! At least for those of us who had halcyon childhoods. Mine certainly was.

Merry Christmas to Z and all who frequent this blog!

The AOW household certainly is having one of our best Christmases ever. So many blessings -- and I have posted some of them for my own reasons.

The Lord has showered blessings upon us the past few weeks. And to think that I thought that He had forgotten us! The past few years have been difficult for us. To say the least!

Always On Watch said...

what hymn do you wish they were playing as we entered?

Either "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!" or "Of the Father's Love Begotten." I also love "Joy to the World."

BTW, I attended this Christmas concert last night at the Kennedy Center. Program notes are also at the link.

The Choral Arts Society's rendition of "In the Bleak Midwinter" was probably the best I've ever heard. And the selections from Messiah were just magnificent. Such power from those combined choirs -- about 400 voices performing flawlessly.

It was a balmy evening, too. 72 degrees in December in Washington, D.C. I got to spend quite a bit of time outside on the promenade next to the Potomac Rivr.

And I'm able to drive at night again -- after all these months of not being able to do so.

sue hanes said...

Z - Thanks for the beautiful Christmas pictures. Maybe they were singing It Came Upon the Midnight Clear - a beautiful hymn for a beautiful picture.

Have a wonderful Sunday - Z.

Ed Bonderenka said...

Try this on for size:
http://youtu.be/vy-5LrXQnOI
Stick around for the choir.
No sermon.

Z said...

Elbro; I WISH you could have been there last THursday for my O Holy Night...I felt like it wasn't me singing, but when I get lucky enough to have good gospel accompanists, it always seems that way!

Christian Soldier, I'll do that!! Thanks and MERRY CHRISTMAS

AOW, I'm just so happy to hear you're being SO blessed!! Glad you got to go to that concert, and DRIVE! Fantastic.
And I'm glad you liked that scene from the past, too. Nowadays, scenes like that are regarded as "never happened..wishful thinking," but they did happen. Many of us DID have beautiful hopeful Christmases like that; who'd have thought we'd have to remind Americans what Christmas is truly about, right?

Sue, that's a fantastic selection for that church scene picture; exactly!

Ed...will do that later this afternoon!
Am singing in an ensemble this morning, a beautiful song called ALL IS WELL...quite a harmony line; wonderful to sing and hear it blend so well with the others.

See you all later..xx

Impertinent said...

@Ed:

"Try this on for size.."

Ya gotta love that energy and Gospel rendition that only the South can give...

Ed Bonderenka said...

Z, did they not record your presentation?
I'd love to see it.

Pris said...

I choose this one:

For Unto us a Child is Born.(from Handel's Messiah).

There are so many heartfelt hymns and chorales. I love them all.

Z, it would be wonderful if we could hear your lovely voice on an audio here.

Merry Christmas Everyone.

Ducky's here said...

Always in the Renaissance.

Perotin's Alleluia "Nativitas"

Z said...

Elbro, the church where we do the program is a huge church and their sound system stinks....they're set up for a pastor and that's it...we did a great DVD one year of the Christmas program I produced and sang in with other singers, but that was privately done by a husband of one of my singers...
We tried to record off the mics a couple of times that the church has and it's terrible. I'm really quite sad about not recording.

Baysider said...

Oh Come All Ye Faithful immediately comes to mind. It makes me feel joyful! And, no, I never saw a church like that either since I grew up in So Cal. But it's remarkably like one my mother went to [in snow country] when she was a girl.

So happy to hear AOW's progress. I bless the Blessor for that blessing!!

Sparky said...

I enjoy all the traditional Christmas carols, but my all time favorite is "Oh Come All Ye Faithful". It sounds especially lovely with a full choir.

Merry Christmas Y'all! ~:)

Kid said...

I'd be happy to hear whatever They were playing.

You reminded me of childhood Christmas Z. Thanks :)

Impertinent said...

Hands down...


"Oh Come All Ye Faithful"

Z said...

Kid, did I? that means a LOT to me..I'm SO SO glad.

I have to tell you all that

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL is my VERY FAVE NUMBER 1 Hymn, too........I nearly cried this morning up on the altar singing it with the praise group......It really is such a fabulous hymn..

Merry Christmas, you wonderful people.

Bob said...

Hymn 164

Bob said...

Uh,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-paqePRfRc8

Angels From The Realms of Glory

Z said...

Bob, I had to laugh at HYMN.. I wondered WHERE? thanks for the link; that's a terrific carol and not that frequently done; thanks for the lovely reminder of that link!
MERRY CHRISTMAS, Bob.

Impertinent said...

Like the First Noel too.....thought I'd add that...

Kid said...

Great addition Imp.