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Merry Christmas! — 22 Comments

  6. Merry Christmas! I sang with the choir twice last night, the midnight service with clouds of pure frankincense smoke. I discovered I cannot sing with incense smoke everywhere. I will have to take protective measures next time. This morning, we went as a family to the Christmas Day service, without frankincense, and I could relax, pray, and give thanks.

  9. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

    And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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 there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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.

    And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

    And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

    And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

    And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

    And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

  10. Christmas is a day I listen, with gratitude, to Handel’s Messiah. A more glorious music has not been written.
    Note that people have been voluntarily paying their taxes for a long time!

  12. I’ve spent some of my downtime today reading Charles Spurgeon. Highly inspirational.

    “Infinite, and an infant. Eternal, and yet born of a woman.”

    Merry Christmas everyone!

  15. Lowly shepherds were the first among all mankind to know of Christ’s birth. It was no accident.

    I think about this when I’m herding sheep with my border collie, Billie. Billie and I went sheepherding a couple days ago. A cold gray day, but Billie was in her element, working hard, going all-out, deliriously happy.

    “Lord, all I ask for is a biddable dog and calm sheep.”

  18. Merry Christmas to all, even if it’s the next day. Here’s
    The Best Christmas Song*
    https://youtu.be/EFLaUL8NG9Y?si=pMM9b47lRqgN_Xoz
    by Jon LaJoie, comedian.

    *It’s cute that it’s the name of the song, thus true, not my, nor anyone’s, evaluation of such songs.
    13 years ago, my kids thought this was hilarious. It remains funny.

    Handle’s Messiah, first performed for Easter, is one of the great sing-a-long sets of chorus songs. Was great to sing in choir at USNA for a couple of years (baritone-bass)
    For
    The Lord God omnipotent,
    Reigneth.

    The trio of sisters, The Roches, have a surprisingly good version
    https://youtu.be/XouDrt2XcLk?si=KEJGFVNohhM7CAMz

    Neo, what are your favorite Christmas or Hanukkah songs?

  19. I like the song “Pat-a-pan.” We had to learn it for a French class in high school, (that and “Bring a Torch” for the school Christmas Concert. Back when schools had Christmas concerts.)
    This version isn’t too bad: https://youtu.be/iw7KS4Q8T90?si=VLvrnwvxY9-m18sl (I just really liked my French Class’s version.)

    I recently heard some Christmas song that sounded like a klezmer style. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see who it was and what song it was.

    My second favorite Hannukah song is a kind of bossa nova-ish version of “S’vivon, Sov, Sov, Sov” by Julie Silver: https://youtu.be/nDnfMjaV4SI?si=GCnft9JKCZdKfdXS

    My favorite Hannukah song is “O Ir Kleyne Likhtelakh” by the Klezmer Conservatory Band: https://youtu.be/vPQS-jugMyw?si=hjC-PbHwdKb3Q6Kf It is very haunting. Very beautiful.

    I have loved Robert Goulet’s version of “Oh Holy Night” since forever: https://youtu.be/9VL0Ymetf0Q?si=FIBI5y4ppeqqAPdG

  20. Very nice “playlist” from the Neophiles (love that name!).

    Every time I read the Christmas Story from Luke, I hear Handel’s glorious music underneath the words.

  22. Take a look at Foxes & Fossils on YouTube, if you don’t know them.
    Their first live recording (somewhere in Atlanta) was of “Sweet Judy Blues Eyes,” and they nailed it. They play, sing, and record for the joy of it. They just happen to be a very good cover band.

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