Sunday, December 20, 2015

Day #5 of the Christmas Song Countdown!

If you haven't seen Day #6's picks, check them out HERE, and let me know what you'd have chosen.

The HYMN:

O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary,
And, gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wond'ring love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,

And peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav'n.
No ear may hear his coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.

This song is one of my favorites (it is also one of President Monson's--link) because of the quiet, wondrous spirit in which it conveys its message. The notes rise in hope, but also keep the soft reverence of the hymn. I can't really describe exactly why I love any of these hymns. The only way you can really understand is by listening to and singing them yourself.

The CHILDREN'S SONG:

Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus

Said Samuel, "Within five years
A night will be as day,
And Baby Jesus will be born
In a land far, far away."

[Chorus]
Hosanna! Hosanna!
Oh, let us gladly sing.
How blessed that our Lord was born;
Let earth receive her King!

Across the sea, in Bethlehem,
Lord Jesus came to earth
As Samuel had prophesied,
And angels sang His birth.

[Chorus]
Hosanna! Hosanna!
Oh, let us gladly sing.
How blessed that our Lord was born;
Let earth receive her King!

In my opinion, the very best part of this song is the joyful chorus. After giving us the historical bit, the song changes and this chorus rings out, reminding us that not only WAS He born, but He is NOW alive, and we can so gladly sing about it!!! As I said yesterday, I love rejoicing songs. I love to sing them and feel of the light, peaceful, jubilant spirit they bring to meetings, homes, and my heart. 

Let me know what your favorite Christmas songs are!

2 comments:

  1. The last verse of the first song is my favorite. I remember President Monson quoting that (don't you love the way he talks? It makes everything so real!). Thanks for the inspiration of my morning!

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