What's my favorite Christmas song of all?

 

Hallelujah! It’s Christmas!

Christmas carols are the musical highlight of the holiday season for many. As trees are trimmed and stockings placed by chimneys everywhere, the air is fairly filled with the music of Christmas.

 

What’s Your Favorite Christmas song?

 What’s your favorite Christmas song of all? Perhaps our Christmas carol choices reveal more about our personalities and preferences than we suspect.

 Traditionalists may love the old-time hymns, such as “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World,” “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” and “O, Little Town of Bethlehem.”

 Trendier folks may adore newer carols, like “Let It Snow,” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Silver Bells,” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.”

 Party-lovers might pick upbeat tunes like “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Deck the Halls,” “Santa Baby,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and “Meet Me Under the Mistletoe.”

 Iconoclasts may lean more towards “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer,” “Santa Looks a Lot Like Daddy,” and “Redneck Twelve Days of Christmas.”

 And sentimentalists might select romantic or heartfelt favorites like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Merry Christmas, Darling,” “Blue Christmas,” and “My Grown-Up Christmas List.”

 

What’s My Favorite Christmas song?

 Certainly, I love nearly all of the Christmas music. The holiday songs evoke wonderful childhood memories. The Christmas songs stir my spirit and fairly invigorate me, as we prepare for this most favorite and joyful of all holidays.

 Still, one song does emerge as my favorite Christmas song of all time.

NOTE: Written by this author, this copyrighted material originally appeared on another publisher’s site. That site no longer exists. This author holds all rights to this content. No republication is allowed without permission.

 

Hallelujah!

 The “Hallelujah Chorus” is my most favorite Christmas song ever.

 Actually, it’s not a Christmas song at all. It’s the hallmark of George Frederic Handel’s great oratorio, The Messiah. Composed in 1741, this stirring number has brought countless audiences to their feet ever since.

 Based on Scripture, highlighting the victorious second coming of Christ, this piece offers a reason for celebration that far outshines anything our holiday events can provide.

 Choirs have performed Handel’s Messiah for centuries. The entire work details the birth, passion, and glorious return of our Lord. What could be more memorable than that?

 Even the opening bars of the orchestral introduction evoke fond choral memories for me. The sounds take me back to my high school and college choir days. I also recall participating in several community do-it-yourself Messiah events.

 Throughout the year, I cannot leaf through Isaiah 9 without singing or humming those lines from the “Hallelujah Chorus”: “King of kings and Lord of lords, and He shall reign forever and ever.”

 Even the title of this song is exciting. “Hallelujah” comes from an old Hebrew word than meant, “Praise ye the Lord.” In Latin, the word was “Alleluia.” Modern worshipers use the terms interchangeably, for we cannot praise God enough!

 After all, Santa may be fun, but the jolly old elf’s got nothing on the Savior of the world! Hallelujah! The Lord reigns! Praise Him!

 

 

“Hallelujah Chorus”

(From The Messiah)

George Frederic Handel

 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

 

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

 

The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever, forever and ever,

 

King of kings, and Lord of lords,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And Lord of lords,
And He shall reign,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

 

And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings and Lord of lords!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

 

 Related Items:

• The Holy Family’s unexpected guests add fun
• 10 top Bible verses for Christmas cards and greetings
• The Star points the way to Christmas
• 20 Holiday Music Video Favorites: Merry Christmas Carol Countdown
• 2019 holiday highlights for better or worse

 

Image/s: Pixabay public domain photo

 

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My SW Daybook – March/April 2020 edition

Whoa! It’s been awhile since I participated in The Simple Woman’s Daybook. But it’s about time. It’s a wonderful group of faith-filled bloggers, and I always find the fellow participants’ posts delightful and inspiring.

So here goes:

For today

It’s a little damp and dark around here today, but I’m grateful that we have just enjoyed a lovely spring-like weekend with lots of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Spring is coming, folks!

The rain is scheduled to start in six minutes. C’mon, flowers. Get ready to pop up.  You've been sleeping long enough. We can hardly wait to see you.

Looking out my window...

We had an unexpected visitor at our front door. This friendly feline took special interest in our self-appointed head of household, the cat who thinks she is top dog. And she is kind of correct in that regard. Hey, she’s a Maine Coon. Nobody wants to mess with her!

LAN photo. All rights reserved.

I am thinking...

Despite all of the nay-saying news we hear on TV and when we are out-and-about, the world is still a pretty beautiful place. Here’s a sweet scene we saw on yesterday’s windy and wonderful run around a local lake.

CL photo. All rights reserved.

I am thankful...

The trash truck comes once a week, and it’s always a welcome arrival. Our neighbors across the backyard leave their diaper-filled dumpsters in their driveway, right where the wind is most likely to topple them over. The stuff blows right into our yard. We pick up their discards several times each week – along with their dog’s droppings. And can you tell they haven't picked up a rake since they moved in three years ago?

Not that any of this this bothers us … or does it?

LAN photo. All rights reserved.

One of my favorite things...

This little guy rocks my world. He’s six months old and ready to take on the world. Actually, he just wants to crawl, but he’s still working on lifting that midsection off the floor. One of these days, he’ll be up and running, and there will be no stopping him.

Grand-parenting is everything I heard it would be – and more.

LAN photo. All rights reserved.

I am wearing...

Working from home today, I’m sporting a pair of brown jeans, topped by a favorite casual button-down shirt. So far, I’m in slippers, but I’ll soon step into boots to run a few errands and catch a routine medical appointment later.

I am creating...

Every time I duck into the stables to visit and ride our horse, I create a horse-sized tumbleweed of the hair she sheds. This is surely a sign of balmier days to come!

LAN photo. All rights reserved.

I am watching... 

Yes, I have heard this show is kind of coarse and violent, but I’ve also heard it’s worth the watch. So I am giving Hunters a try. It’s on Amazon Prime.

Promo image. Fair use.

I am reading...

My running/training partner gave me First Marathons as a birthday gift. Every time I have a few minutes to sit still, I read a short chapter or two. I find these stories from inspiring runners motivating and intriguing.

Cover/promo image. Fair use.

When I ran my first full marathon, I said I would be one-and-done. Then I did a second marathon. Now I am looking at my 2020 race calendar and considering another one.

I am listening to...

I always have a few current favorite songs. Here’s one I’m loving. It’s “Edge of My Seat” by Toby Mac. I love when he says, “Behold, I am doin' a new thing in the land. / It's springin' forth. / Do you perceive it?” (That’s from Isaiah 43:19.) 

I am hoping...

My hope is in the Lord. That’s the whole story.

Image created by this user with online generator.

I am learning... 

My latest fitness addiction is TRX suspension training. I’m feeling it more than a little in my shoulders this morning, but I can’t get enough of TRX.

Public domain image.

In the kitchen...

My crockpot is creating a delicious atmosphere in my whole house, cooking up another batch of one of my best soups. It’s Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup. Here’s the recipe.

Shared Quote

“Even if I knew that

tomorrow the world would go to pieces,

I would still plant my apple tree.”
Martin Luther (1483-1546)

A moment from my day...

I just received a text from my kid, asking if I’d be willing to babysit the little guy later this week. Let me think about … uh, sure!

Post Script

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10 top Bible verses for Christmas cards and greetings

Christmas cards and greetings including messages of faith may be particularly memorable and meaningful, as Christians celebrate the birth of Christ. Several Scriptures are especially appropriate for printing on holiday cards or for penning messages inside before signing and sending.

Consider these 10 popular Bible passages for including in Christmas greetings. These verses are listed here in biblical order, with reference links leading to online Bible translations and paraphrases for context and further study. 

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26, NLT)

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14, NIV)

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, KJV)

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.” (Matthew 1:21, ESV)

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10b – 11, NIV)

“At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: ‘Glory to God in the heavenly heights. Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.’” (Luke 2:13-14, MSG)

“The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us.” (John 1:14, CEV)

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, GNT)

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15, NASB)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17, NKJV)

Many additional Bible verses may be suitable for Christmas greetings as well. Why not pick a favorite Scripture to write with festive holiday salutations?

NOTE: Written by this author (with verses gathered from multiple Bible translations and paraphrases), this copyrighted material originally appeared on another publisher’s site. That site no longer exists. This author holds all rights to this article. No republication is allowed without permission.

Image/s:
Adapted from public domain art.

Feel free to follow on Google Plus and Twitter. Like this blog?  Check out Practically at Home on Facebook. You are invited to visit my author page on Amazon.com.