Inside Photos - and another song!

I know I have said it before, but I guess I should say it again (is Santa listening?) I struggle getting great photo's indoors! Perhaps it is because I don't practice enough. Once we are on break after Christmas, I might have a bit of time to do that. But perhaps it is in my equipment. (It is always easier to blame something else!)

When we were decorating the tree it was low light, so I used the flash - oh, but I hate using the flash , it just washes the color right out of the picture. So then I tried using the AV setting, and the shutter lag - gave me some interesting pictures! Mostly blur, but in one there was a ghost!

I moved it over to manual, but even there I was struggling. I used my Tamron f3.5-5.6 18-270mm which I loved for getting the whole room in the picture, then I switched to my canon f1.8 50mm, but I didn't like the closeness. So I went back to the Tamron.

One photo that I ended up loving is this one.

I know it is dark, and it came out this way, because of my poor skills. But I like it. I like how Young One is all in shadow, with golden light in the room, and barely the Christmas Tree lights in front of him.

If I knew how to use photoshop better, I might try to brighten the tree a bit, but definitely want to leave YO in the dark. Oh, well, maybe someday I will be able to figure it out.

Today - I have another song for you. It should be extremely familiar to you, especially the serious musicians who are reading - but they are probably the ones who won't like this version. It is the Hallelujah Chorus from George Fredric Handel's Oratorio: Messiah.

There are so many good versions out there by mass choirs and smaller groups (Twila Paris has a nice version too). But have you ever heard the Roches sing it? Their New Jersey accent gives it a little twist. The fact that there are just 3 of them makes it very unique. As siblings, the harmony is amazing. Apparently it is a highly regarded a cappella version.

Please note - I am not posting this version for a laugh, nor do I think they are singing it in a disrespectful manner. I have heard it on CD for many years and only today found the video of it. It is surely a unique version. Normally sung in 4 parts, the song was rewritten by them for their 3 voices. Hope you enjoy it!

It's Done ... the tree that is.

YOU CAPTURE: Holiday Decor (click the link to see some other great holiday decorations.)

Our tree is finally finished. I can't believe what I had to go thru in order to get this accomplished this year! Usually we go out and get the tree, H and Tall One get it in the stand and bring it in the house. H puts on the lights and we decorate it. Sometimes all in one day, sometimes it takes 2.

This year ... well ... let's just say it has been a challenge. We purchased the tree, minus two members of the family. Went and found it on Friday night. Brought it home and laid it in the garage. Finally on Sunday I went out and hacked (that is a good word for what I did to the bottom of the trunk) the fresh cut into it (too afraid to use the chainsaw) with an axe. Found that the trunk has a split in it, from the bottom half way up the trunk. (No, I did not cause it!) But, it was too late to take it back.

Tall One helped me get it in the stand and we brought it in the house. There it stood until H finally was able to put the lights on it on Monday night. Yesterday morning (I usually leave before everyone else is up) I went and woke everyone up and got a commitment from them that they would be home so we could decorate it together. Old One had a band meeting, but it could wait until afterwards, as long as we were done by 9. Tall One had discipleship group (DGroup) after school and got home at about 7, then had to go work on an assignment for school at 9. Young One didn't have worship team practice because the other drummer was scheduled, so he was home all evening. H got home at 7. We quickly ate and then decorated.

We surely had our moments. I don't think my kids can ever do anything together without the constant competition among themselves. They each have a box of their own ornaments. One's that were given to them by relatives, friends and teachers, or ones they have made. So they put those on first. Then I have a box of special ornaments to me. One's given to us by those who are no longer with us, some I gave to my parents or were some of mine from when I was a child, some are unique to places that we lived or people that we worked with. So many of our ornaments have such special memories and meaning behind them. As each one goes on the tree we remember our loved ones and special times gone by.

When H and I went on our honeymoon to Maine, we purchased our first box of ornaments and our angel for the top of the tree. (I grew up with a star on top of the tree, but H always had an angel, so I conceded.) Last year the lights on her stopped working. But she is still on top. That year we went to Woolworth and bought the majority of our glass bulbs. Thru the years we have added to that collection, as some have broken and need to be thrown away.

So I have to say that our tree is quite the conglomeration of things. Precious ornaments with so many memories and then some pretty glass bulbs that we got just to fill up space. But surely it is chocked full of sweet remembrances of happy times and loved ones. No our tree doesn't look like one from Ethan Allen. It is even crooked this year, and I took off too many branches on the bottom to get it to fit into the stand. It certainly is not the prettiest tree we have ever had or the largest. It actually has a lot of things wrong with it this year.

I guess it is kind of like me, like our family. But it is a symbol of the patchwork of our life together as a family, a family that God has created for us to share life together. When the lights in the room are on, we see all the pieces, the ornaments standing out, separate on the tree. Things that maybe don't really go together. But when we turn off the lights in the room (the world) and just leave the lights sparkling from with in the tree (the Light of God with in us) there is beauty there.

Here are just a few of the ornaments that have special meaning for us ...

Our First Christmas ornament made by one of H's co-workers (who we have lost contact with). It has been on 23 trees. Next is the crystal heart given to us by my parents one year. We really miss them. Thirdly is just one ornament I picked up in a dollar store when we were in Virginia. An angel and the Christ Child.

The Fanny Santa! Oh my boys have so much fun with this one. Old One made it one year in elementary school, and every year they talk about it when it gets put on the tree. I think it is suppose to represent the love in Santa's heart, but boys will be boys and they only see .... well ... you know!

Lastly is the stained glass snowman.

My youngest sister gave it to H one year.

He always puts it on the tree.

We surely never know what tomorrow brings, so I am thankful we finally were able to get the tree up and decorated and that we had one more year of doing it together. These surely are special times God has given us to share. I know they won't be around forever.

Once Upon A Christmas

The song I want to share with you today is a pretty popular one, but still 'cause it is one of my favorites, I had to share it.

Once Upon A Christmas (Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton)

The first time I heard this one, I knew it would become one of my favorites. It think it was actually during a Christmas TV special. I have since heard it by the group Selah, who have Dolly come in and do a cameo during the song. That is a great version as well.

Here are the lyrics:

Once upon a Christmas far away in Bethlehem
Mary being great with child had no place to lie down
So Joseph found a stable in which Mary had her child
Once upon a Christmas was the birth of Jesus Christ
Once upon a Christmas in a manger far away
A King was born His palace was a manger filled with hay
His royal robe was swaddling cloth a halo was His crown
Once upon a Christmas away in Bethlehem

And all the world rejoiced because the King was born at last
A savior had been promised now it had come to pass
And the joyful news that He was born spread quickly far and wide
Once upon a Christmas was the birth of Jesus Christ

Once upon a Christmas from the Far East wise men came
With gold and myrrh and frankincense to praise the newborn King
And shepherds left their flocks and came to see and worship Him
Once upon a Christmas away in Bethlehem

And all the world rejoiced because the King was born at last
A savior had been promised now it had come to pass
And the joyful news that He was born spread quickly far and wide
Once upon a Christmas was the birth of Jesus Christ

Once upon a Christmas far away in Bethlehem

The video is a little bit freaky as all the nativity characters have white hair (they are statues that have come to life) and there is no joy in the singers or the congregation. If you think about what actually happened that night so long ago, once upon a Christmas, shouldn't you smile or show some semblance of joy?

I know the song brings joy to my heart. I guess that is what is important.

Ding Dong Merrily on High

Have you heard Celtic Woman. Their voices are angelic and harmonies heavenly! My H took me to go see them in concert a few years ago. It was beautiful. They were beautiful!

Here they are singing, Ding Dong Merrily On High.

The composer of the song, is unknown, but the Carol is said to be French, dating back to the 16th century. The text was originally, Latin. One of my favorites from college days!

Here are the Lyrics:

Ding dong merrily on high,

In heav'n the bells are ringing:

Ding dong! verily the sky

Is riv'n with angel singing.

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

E'en so here below, below,

Let steeple bells be swungen,

And "Io, io, io!"

By priest and people sungen.

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Pray you, dutifully prime

Your matin chime, ye ringers;

May you beautifully rime

Your evetime song, ye singers.

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

LIght of the Stable

Well, the tree is in the house, and in the stand - but there aren't any lights or decorations on it yet. It was just a crazy weekend. The two older ones work now, the youngest has 2 practices on Saturdays (for baseball), and on top of that the two youngest were at an event at the church on Sunday evening.

So much for family time ...

Well here is another favorite of mine. Hope you enjoy it.

Light of the Stable (Selah)

If you love harmony, you're going to love this song!

Remember the word, Hallelujah means Praise the Lord!

From their album "Rose of Bethlehem."

Holiday Song #2: Here With Us

I'm sharing some of my favorite holiday music with you. Perhaps giving you something new to listen to as we approach the holiday.

Here With Us (sung by Joy Williams)

It's still a mystery to me
That the hands of God could be so small,
How tiny fingers reaching in the night
Were the very hands that measured the sky

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King,
You're here with us
You're here with us

It's still a mystery to me, oh,
How His infant eyes have seen the dawn of time
How His ears have heard an angel's symphony,
But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
Here with us
You're here with us

Jesus the Christ, born in Bethlehem
A baby born to save, to save the souls of man

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
You're here with us
You're here with us

A Favorite Song to Share

I love music. I have so many favorite songs and favorite major compositions written by the masters. In this season of Christmas, I thought I would like to share some of my favorite pieces of holiday music with you.

Youtube is an interesting website. I have only touched the surface of what is out there, but I have found that many of my favorite songs have video's by the singers themselves, or movies created by others using the songs. It is a great way to share new songs with one another.

I realize this first song that I want share with you is considered an Easter Song. But quite frankly I don't think we would be celebrating Christmas, if it wasn't for the cross and the resurrection.

The name of the song is "The Glory of the Blood" performed by a group called Avalon. The video below, I believe is clips from "The Nativity" and "The Passion of the Christ" The first time I ever heard it was during a worship service in a local congregations. Three siblings were singing. The harmony was beautiful and the passion truly heartfelt.

The song still gives me the chills whenever I hear it.

I realize we all have different tastes in music styles. As a former worship leader, I have dealt with the argument for years. So, if the music is not to your liking, at least read thru the words...

In the solitary moment of His birth
On this barren, dusty land
All of heaven kissed the face of the earth
With a miracle of love
God became a man

But he was sent away to draw His final breath
When He was only thirty-three
And in the shame of dying a criminal's death
He cleansed an angry world
And in His suffering I see...

The glory of the blood
The beauty of the body
That was broken for our forgiveness
The glory of His perfect love
Is the heart of the story
The glory of the blood

Now I have tried to find salvation on my own
In a search for something real
But there's a guilty heart inside this flesh and bone
Fall upon His grace
And I begin to feel...

The glory of the blood
The beauty of the body
That was broken for our forgiveness
The glory of His perfect love
Is the heart of the story
The glory of the blood

And when I close my eyes
I can see Him hanging there
Oh the precious wounded Lamb of God
All the majesty in this world can not compare to...

The glory of the blood
The beauty of the body
That was broken for our forgiveness
The glory of His perfect love
Is the heart of the story
The glory of the blood