God has been so kind to give me these Sunday afternoons as "alone time". But I have to confess - when Gene asked if he could spend time with Xavier every Sunday my heart was not joyful! Sunday afternoons are my only down time usually and I love getting to spend that with my little guy, but it's something God's called me to sacrifice right now and he's been giving me something so much better. He's been regularly calling me closer to him in these times.
Someone approached me today and asked what my favorite Christmas song is. It seemed a bit random, but it turned out to have a point. So today I left church with that question fresh in my mind. I was so excited to get home and break out an old hymnal that my mom gave me from her piano bench a few years ago. It was so sweet to read over the lines of the old familiar songs. Just the tune makes me giddy like I used to get singing them at Christmas Eve services. I love Christmas music. I have to restrain myself, but I love waiting until after Thanksgiving to play Christmas CD's so I don't grow overly familiar with them. I love that season of deeper consideration of how far Christ came to save his people.
So here are the ones in the running. I'm hoping to get input from others as to what their favorites are. You may vote for one I have listed or tell me your own. Maybe I haven't thought of it.
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Angels From the Realms of Glory
Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
Joy To The World
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Each time I open this old hymnal I find new treasures. I enjoy the fact that I don't know the tune to most of the songs. It allows me to focus more on the words. Here are two excerpts that delighted my heart today:
The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His,
And He is mine forever.
from The King of Love My Shepherd Is by Henry W. Baker
Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears two wonders I confess,
The wonders of His glorious love and my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by, to know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.
from Beneath the Cross of Jesus by Elizabeth C Clephane
Someone approached me today and asked what my favorite Christmas song is. It seemed a bit random, but it turned out to have a point. So today I left church with that question fresh in my mind. I was so excited to get home and break out an old hymnal that my mom gave me from her piano bench a few years ago. It was so sweet to read over the lines of the old familiar songs. Just the tune makes me giddy like I used to get singing them at Christmas Eve services. I love Christmas music. I have to restrain myself, but I love waiting until after Thanksgiving to play Christmas CD's so I don't grow overly familiar with them. I love that season of deeper consideration of how far Christ came to save his people.
So here are the ones in the running. I'm hoping to get input from others as to what their favorites are. You may vote for one I have listed or tell me your own. Maybe I haven't thought of it.
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Angels From the Realms of Glory
Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
Joy To The World
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Each time I open this old hymnal I find new treasures. I enjoy the fact that I don't know the tune to most of the songs. It allows me to focus more on the words. Here are two excerpts that delighted my heart today:
The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His,
And He is mine forever.
from The King of Love My Shepherd Is by Henry W. Baker
Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears two wonders I confess,
The wonders of His glorious love and my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by, to know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.
from Beneath the Cross of Jesus by Elizabeth C Clephane
4 comments:
Hi Linda-
I just "found" you! What a nice blog. My favorite Christmas song is "O Holy Night". Growing up in a very traditional church I have come to love many many hymns and often sing them to whatever baby I am currently rocking in the night. I will be checking back here often. I never knew you loved eggrolls!
Love, Danielle
My 2 fave Christmas songs are "Joy to the World" & "O Come All Ye Faithful". I love singing the harmony to both of those songs. Addie sings harmony, too, so every Christmas I get excited to have our own little "choir" in our pew at church! Reminds me of how Mom & Dad sing harmony to so many songs in church. I went to a few Michael Card concerts many years ago & he always closed with "O Come All Ye Faithful" - no matter what time of the year it was. I thought that was so cool to sing "O come let us adore him..." at a time other than Christmas - something we can do every single day of the year!
Welcome to blog-land! Favorite Christmas song - Mary Did You Know?
It was good...fun...encouraging...rebuking... to read your thoughts. Thanks for being honest.
Linda~
I like "The King of Love My Shepherd Is?" Such a good song....So neat that God is enabling you to use this Sunday afternoon down time for good....and the sacrifice has become sweet:)
Love you:)
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