Stating the obvious

If you are trapped indoors due to winter weather, might I recommend a book?  But if the storm is over, a shovel might be far more useful.

As men of old have sung

I thought I had at least heard of most of the major Christmas carols, but apparently I missed one, perhaps the oldest Christmas song still occasionally heard by modern ears.  Now that I've heard it, I've noticed it in the background of everything from The Nativity Story to a Christmas themed Veggie Tales.  The English title is 'Of the Father's Love Begotten,' 'Corde Natus' for you latter day Romans out there.  Google it and take a listen, it is well worth it!

Here are the lyrics for the first verse, they don't write stuff like this anymore, enjoy!:

Of the Father’s love begotten,

Ere the worlds began to be,

He is Alpha and Omega,

He the source, the ending He,

Of the things that are, that have been,

And that future years shall see,

Evermore and evermore!

More lyrical rabbit trails

I love this time of year, the REAL music is wonderful.  Especially when you actually take the time to study the words and meanings behind so many beloved songs.  How many people actually know more than the first verse of the following?:

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

(Chorus)

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Born a king on Bethlehem's plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I.
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him, God on high.

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Myrrh is mine: it's bitter perfume
Breaths a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Sounds through the earth and skies.

Have yourself a lyrical little Christmas!

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, 

earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; 

snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, 

in the bleak midwinter, long ago. 

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; 

heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign. 

In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed 

the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. 

Angels and archangels may have gathered there, 

cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; 

but his mother only, in her maiden bliss, 

worshiped the beloved with a kiss. 

What can I give him, poor as I am? 

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; 

if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; 

yet what I can I give him: give my heart. 

~In the Bleak Midwinter~

'Tis the season to enjoy some of the best music ever written and to remember again why we celebrate!

Snow day?

Great, go read something!