Practically at Home: music

Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Wednesday

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!

Related Items:

Image/s: Pixabay public domain photo

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

Monday

My picks for 25 top worst Christmas songs ever – so far

Christmas tunes may delight us … or cause us to cringe.

Each December, the radio airwaves fill with festive holiday fare, as deejays load up playlists with Christmas carols and covers by artists from the past and present. Many stations forgo on-air advertising for long stretches, simply to allow uninterrupted holiday music to play for party hosts, motorists and other music fans.

Holiday music gains momentum, as Christmas approaches.

After Thanksgiving, most of us fill our iPods, MP3 players or other personal music devices with winter holiday songs, getting us into the mood for merriment.

What are your favorite Christmas songs? Do you love sacred holiday hymns, rollicking pop party songs, folksy versions or another genre altogether?

But some Christmas songs make us cringe.

Amid all the Christmas spirit, a few harmonic heartbreaks and melodic mishaps seem to creep through every year.

Just for grins (or groans), I drew up a list of my top 25 least favorite seasonal selections to date, including long-time Christmas classics and current chart toppers for the holiday season. Just to be fair, I’m listing these top dogs alphabetically (by song title) and including the names of the artists whose versions I like the least (if not the original performers).

Here are my top 25 worst Christmas song choices.

“And So This Is Christmas (War is Over)” – John Lennon & Yoko Ono
“Christmas All Over Again” – Tom Petty
“Christmas Conga” – Cyndi Lauper
“Christmas Through Your Eyes” – Gloria Estefan
“Christmas Time Is Here” – Vince Guaraldi
“Christmas, Don’t Be Late” – The Chipmunks
“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” – Band Aid
“Dominick, The Christmas Donkey” – Lou Monte
“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” – Elmo & Patsy
“Howdy Doody Christmas” – The Fontana Sisters
“I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” – Gayla Peevey
“It Must Have Been Old Santa Claus” – Harry Connick, Jr.
“Jingle Bells” – Barking Dogs
“Jolly Old St. Nicholas” – Maurice Chevalier
“Last Christmas” – George Michael/Wham!
“Little Saint Nick” – The Beach Boys
“Merry Christmas, Baby” – Bonnie Raitt & Charles Brown
“Please, Daddy (Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas)” – John Denver
“Run, Run, Rudolph” – Chuck Berry
“Santa Baby” – Madonna
“Snoopy’s Christmas” – The Royal Guardsmen
“Step into Christmas” – Elton John
“Suzy Snowflake” – Rosemary Clooney
“The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot” – Nat King Cole
“Wonderful Christmastime” – Paul McCartney

For most of the year, I actually enjoy songs by many of these artists. I’ve been a dyed-in-the-wool Beatles fan since before I could read words or musical notes. I’ve attended concerts by the Beach Boys, Elton John and others. Occasionally, I find myself in the mood for a little Nat King Cole, Chuck Berry, Bonnie Raitt, or even Harry Connick, Jr.

Still, these holiday selections are horrendous, I think. And every year, new nightmares will likely be added.

Which perennial plays drive you up the wall, or perhaps the Christmas tree? What seasonal songs make you groan like Dr. Seuss’ Grinch? Which worst holiday tracks did I miss?

Don’t be shy. Holiday party hosts need to know.

Related Items:

Image/s: adapted from public domain artwork

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

My SW Daybook – December 2016 edition

Whoa. Christmas is almost here, and I’m just getting to this! Here’s my November/December entry for the Simple Woman’s Daybook. (I can surely see why our SWDB blog circle hostess merged the two months!)

Looking out my window …

The sun is shining, at least for now, with its rays bouncing beautifully off the freshly fallen snow. It’s so bright outside that it’s hard to believe we are receiving extreme chill warnings. The actual temperature measures zero degrees (F) today, with the wind-chill coming in at about -15.

Public domain artwork

I am thinking …

How far off is spring? That sounds like a trick question, as winter itself doesn’t officially arrive for three more days (according to the calendar). Oh, boy.

I am thankful …

This year has been filled with what seems to have been an unusual amount of losses for friends. Dear ones have said goodbye to passing spouses, parents, and children. Others have lost beloved pets. All over, people appear to be bidding 2016 farewell more eagerly than I can remember in past years and pointing to 2017 as a time of promise.

Life is as unpredictable as any old saying may claim – perhaps even more so. I am reminded with gratitude of my many loved ones and the health they enjoy. I appreciate that this is an unusual and remarkable gift. And I remember fondly those who have gone on ahead.

Family photo/All rights reserved.
This was taken a few years ago, and two of these dear ones are no longer with us.

One of my favorite things …

Did I mention Christmas is almost here?

I am creating …

I am starting the process of collecting several poems topically, assembling them for another upcoming book.

Public domain artwork

I am wearing …

Although I likely won’t run today (Remember the wind-chill advisory?), I am running around the house in Nike Pro Hyperwarm Running Tights, topped by an Under Armour Women's ColdGear Infrared Popover Hoodie. I have a pair of Smartwool Women's Charcoal Heather Socks on as well. And I’m shuffling around in a pair of moccasins.

OK, I’ll probably crank out a couple of miles on the elliptical. I’m doing a holiday mile challenge thing, for which I committed to do at least a mile a day from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.

I am watching …

On Netflix, I am about to begin watching The Crown. Friends recommend this highly – especially those who loved Downton Abbey.

Downton Abbey publicity still - fair use.

I am reading …

Actually, I’m about to order this title: How I Changed My Mind about Women in Leadership: Compelling Stories from Prominent Evangelicals. It’s a compilation of articles by several well-known evangelicals (Stuart and Jill Briscoe, Tony Campolo, Bill and Lynne Hybels, John and Nancy Ortberg, Ron Sider, and more), discussing women in leadership in Christian ministry.

Book cover - fair use.

This is sort of a hot-button for me, particularly as we now attend a church that espouses hierarchical complementarianism. (I confess: I am bristling a bit at it, particularly after spending more than a decade in a church that willingly lit booster rockets under women who were gifted and willing to serve.)

I am listening to …

Right now, YouTube is playing continuous Christmas carols, as I type.

I am hoping …

Yikes! I am hoping to run 2,017 miles in 2017. That’s a tall order for me. It would average 5.5 miles a day, if I run every single day of the entire year. That’s not really feasible, especially in the Upper Midwest. That means I’ll have to do at least twice that on plenty of days. But I am trying to push myself a bit, to stay in shape, and to keep MS at bay (as much as possible).

So here we go!

Public domain artwork

I am learning …

Recently, I auditioned and joined a local chorus. This is already a lot of fun, and it has jettisoned me into learning some music theory. It’s been a long time since I sight-read sheet music! And my own ear has required something of a tune-up. But I love the challenge, and it is refreshing to be using my brain in a wholly different way.

Plus, this group of wonderful new friends has welcomed me so warmly. I find myself grinning, just at the thought of them.

In my kitchen …

Although I hosted a Christmas cookie swap less than a week ago, I am getting the itch to bake a few more kinds of holiday treats. We have a few family get-togethers coming up, and I haven’t yet made my perennial gingerbread horses. (Nope, I didn’t say “gingerbread houses.” It’s a horse-girl thing.)

In my garden …

What garden? It’s winter in Wisconsin!

Board room …

Here’s a pin for a fun Christmas party game/Holiday song quiz from my Christmas Creativity board on Pinterest. The actual game, titled “Christmas Carol Titles Undone,” can be found here at Delightfully Amiss: Berzerkians Gone Amok. The 32 holiday songs are all pretty familiar, but the clues are tricky!

Public domain artwork

Post Script …

Did you know that 2017 is the Year of the Rooster (in the Chinese New Year’s 12-year animal cycle)?

Shared Quote …

“Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn't come from a store.”

Adapted by this user from public domain art.

Closing Notes:

Thanks for stopping by at Practically at Home! Best wishes for a merry Christmas, a happy holiday season, and a wonderful new year.

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.

Friday

My SW Daybook – September 2016 edition

It’s a new month! Time for a new entry for the Simple Woman’s Daybook.

Promo logo - fair use

Looking out my window …

I noticed a hawk, flying way up high overhead. I’ve been a little under the weather, so to speak, facing a stretch of low energy. Guess I’m glad it was a hawk, instead of a vulture.

I am thinking …

This may sound funny, but there’s a little garden gnome in our yard (dressed in Chicago Bears colors), who mysteriously moves from place to place on random occasions. Is there more to this story, if does this occur simply because someone in our home recently retired and finds the need to fidget with details?

I am thankful …

Sometimes computer glitches seem to resolve themselves. At least, I’m kind of counting on that, right about now. After all, this sort of message is never exactly welcome.

Screenshot - fair use

One of my favorite things …

Flowers are favorites for me. Gerbera Daisies are one of the blooms I like the best. I have a pair of patio pots that still sport fresh blossoms, even as September slips by.

I am creating …

This week, another new Kindle eBook was added to my author list on Amazon. I wrote this short volume (10 courtesy tips for taking a pet to a host's home) to help animal lovers and those who may host them at some point (such as the upcoming holiday season) to deal with the potential complications of pet guests.

Having experienced some rather delicate situations in our own home, with extended family members and others bringing their animals for occasional visits and overnight stays, I understand the concerns. And I hope this book will help others in similar situations.

Book cover / fair use

I am wearing …

Right now, I am sporting a running race tee (from a past event) and a pair of jogging shorts. I have not laced on those sneakers yet, although I (groan!) know I will have to do so soon. (Actually, I was all revved up and ready to go … until I realized my phone needed charging first. Hey, I don’t want to miss the chance to keep track of those miles.)

I am watching …

My dog is doing laps around me, as I sit at my desk. Based on our regular routines, I am pretty sure she knows it’s almost run-time.

Most of the time, she and the cat practice their Couch Pet-Tater acts. But not at run-time. (You might say she’s got my number.)

I am reading …

At this point, I find myself partway through multiple books. These include The Cowboy and His Elephant: The Story of a Remarkable Friendship, by Malcolm MacPherson; Fervent: A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer, by Priscilla Shirer; and Wounded Warrior, Wounded Home: Hope and Healing for Families Living with PTSD and TBI, by Marshele Carter Waddell and Kelly K. Orr.

Next up are Circling the Sun: A Novel, by Paula McLain, and Entrusted - Bible Study Book: A Study of 2 Timothy, by Beth Moore.

I am listening to …

YouTube is playing, and I’m hearing “Grace Wins,” by Matthew West.

Gotta love these lyrics:

“Words can't describe the way it feels
When mercy floods a thirsty soul
A broken side begins to heal
And grace returns what guilt has stole.”

Bless the Lord. How I need that every day!

I am hoping …

One of these days, the professional crew will show up at the stables to fix an ongoing drainage problem that has allowed the many mid- and late-summer storms to flood the indoor riding arena at the stables. I feel sorry for the owners, who have pumped and shoveled and brainstormed, trying to fix this issue. It’s also a concern for the barn staff, who slog through mud daily to care for the horses, for the boarding customers (as an important part of the facility is out of commission), and a trainer (who has faced more than a few lesson cancellations).

The covered arena has been flooded almost every day since late July. Fortunately, there is also an outdoor arena, which has been super for working horses on non-rainy days. For that, we are thankful.

Honestly, it feels a lot more like April than September at the farm. But the hay field looks lush and lovely, so the horses will have plenty of delicious hay all winter. (See? A silver lining!)

I am learning …

Have you heard the perennial warning about praying for patience? It’s sort of a source of ouch-y humor among people of faith. Why? Patience seems only to be learned through difficulties and disappointments and longer waits than we’d like.

But I’ve been in that school, so to speak, for a while. A couple of long-term heart-rending prayer requests are prime examples.

On another note, I’ve always chuckled that one of the most popular and colorful annual garden flowers is called impatiens. It’s easy to grow and simply satisfying. Don’t you wish patience came the same way?

In my kitchen …

I’m trying to eat healthier foods. But I’m still something of a carbo-holic. I crave crunchy, salty, starchy snacks too often. So I’m making it a point to shop a little smarter. Now I have a cupboard filled with low-calorie rice cakes and popcorn, instead of chips and crackers.

Hmm. I would so-o-o love some Wheat Thins, right about now. Whaddya mean, I have to have a Wasa wafer instead? (Yes, I am a gluten for punishment.)

In the school room …

It’s been fun to see friends and loved ones posting first-day-of-school photos on Facebook in the past week or so. I don’t have anyone heading to class this fall, but I love seeing all these dear ones’ youngsters growing up.

Despite having no students in the house anymore, I am as busy as a proverbial bee. So there we are.

In my garden …

Most of my plantings are growing end-of-season tired. Some fall colors are popping up. As the sun sets earlier and casts a more muted glow over nature, it’s neat to see the flowers changing as well.

Last weekend, I transplanted several leggy-looking annuals from patio pots into the garden beds, filling in spots where I’ve already cut back some spent perennials. A few are just reaching their prime, like the Autumn Joy Sedum.

I also washed out several the pots, so I can pack them away for next spring. A few remain on the patio, as the geraniums and marigolds are still producing.

Board room …

Here’s a pin from my Poetry Plus and Remarkable Reads board on Pinterest. The photo links to a rhymed post on my Nickers and Ink Poetry and Humor blog site. My poem starts with this couplet:

“I choose to be happy. I choose to be whole.

I give up the faraway place in my soul.”

I need that reminder (preaching to the mirror), again and again.

Vintage / public domain photo

Post Script …

Here we go, marching into September. What’s on the agenda for this month? I’m working on another book or two. (Multi-tasking keeps me going.) I’m looking forward to a couple of early fall running races. And I’m planning a cross-country visit next month. (Maybe I’ll tuck some trip photos into my October edition of the SW Daybook.)

Shared Quote …

Autumn doesn’t technically begin for a couple of weeks. Still, with Labor Day behind us, it feels sort of like unofficial autumn already. So here we are:

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
Albert Camus, French philosopher (1913-1960)

Closing Notes:

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers for a sweet September.

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.

NOTES

NOTE ABOUT POSSIBLE BROKEN LINKS: This blogger has written for a variety of websites for many years. A few of those sites (such as Examiner, Helium, and Yahoo Voices) no longer exist. Older blog posts may contain links to some of those sites. Please accept the blogger's apologies for old links that may no longer work.

NOTE ABOUT ADS ON THIS SITE: Many of the promotions displayed on this blog are generated automatically by advertisers. Political, ideological, and other views expressed in such placements are not necessarily those of the site owner. Appearance here does not necessarily construe assent or endorsement.

Pages

Wednesday

What's my favorite Christmas song of all?

Monday

My picks for 25 top worst Christmas songs ever – so far

My SW Daybook – December 2016 edition

Friday

My SW Daybook – September 2016 edition

Subscribe to Practically at Home - RSS Feed

Amazon

Heart of a Ready Writer

Practically at Home is rated "G."

I joined Angel's 2021 Holiday Photography Challenge

NaNoWriMo in November

2016 April A to Z Blogging Challenge

Follow Holidays Examiner - Madison and More on Facebook.

Follow Features' Pets - National Pets Examiner on Facebook

Brand Disclosure