All Because the Organ Was Broken

Another Christmas carol that I adore is from the Austrian Alps, "Silent Night."  This carol was born out of misfortune.  It seems the new church of St. Nicholas in the Austrian Alps was suddenly without a working organ on the night of the 1818 Christmas Eve music program.  The church priest, Joseph Mohr, quickly wrote the song to be sung without an organ.  The song was sung that Christmas Eve as a duet, and later its fame spread throughout the Austrian Alps.  It was even sung before the King and Queen!
The carol relays the story of Christ's birth including the shepherds' meeting with the angel, the "glories" streaming from heaven, and the "wondrous star" as a leading light.  It ends by proclaiming Jesus' birth as the "dawn of redeeming grace."  What a wonderful thought that our own redemption today began on that "silent night" over 2,000 years ago. 
The information about these hymns comes from a book I am reviewing called, "Then Sings My Soul," by Robert J. Morgan.  It contains 150 stories about favorite Christmas, Easter, and other Christian hymns that have been sung for hundreds of years.   I will be adding more reviews of favorite hymns in the future so please check back. 

Written By the Angels

It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas!  In stores, on the radio, in homes and churches around the world old familiar carols written long ago by forgotten authors still ring out filling the air with their melodious sounds.  One of my favorite carols was actually partly composed by the Angels themselves.  Angels We Have Heard on High is a French carol with an unknown human author.  The chorus, however, has it's origin in the heavenly realm.  It was sung by the Angels in a sudden and joyous response to the news of Jesus' birth: 

" 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."   Luke 2:14 KJV.

The carol uses the Latin words, "Gloria, inexcelsis Deo" in the chorus.  Gloria  means "glory," and in excelsis means "in the highest," while Deo means "God." 

What better way to praise God for His son than to sing the very song the Angels sang on the night of Jesus' birth! 

 Victorian Christmas Angels Pinback Button

Victorian Christmas Gift Tags

Wild at Art

Hey Yall and Merry Christmas! 
I found this beautiful painting by Gail over at dreamskyart, and I wanted to share it with you.  Gail paints a variety of subjects including this wolf with the captivating eyes and a stunning horse with his "flaming mane."  Please go over to her Etsy shop and check it out.  You can also visit her blog for more art at
http://www.dreamskyart.com/

Enjoy!

Old Christmas Greetings

I just love old Christmas postcards, especially ones with family and children.  Thought I would share some of my findings with you during the month of December.  Please check back often for more.
To download, click on image to enlarge, then right-click to save.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and GOD BLESS!