Tag: Christmas 2017

Cat and Christmas Tree

Posted By: leeduigon(patty)Posted On:

There are tons of videos of cats wrecking Christmas trees; but a lot of cats would rather just sleep under the tree.

Of all the cats we’ve had here, in 40 years of marriage, with all their different personalities, fortes, and foibles, every single one of them just loved sleeping under the Christmas tree. We put our tree up yesterday, and will trim it today; but just now, Peep is sound asleep under it.

True, sometimes they succumb to the temptation of dangling ornaments. But only sometimes. And we are proud to say none of our cats, no, not one, has ever knocked the tree over or otherwise ravaged it.

First a cigar, and then to work–I’ve got a lot of cozy old ornaments to hang.

Elvis: ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’

Posted By: leeduigon(patty)Posted On:

I’ve figured out what my problem is. There are more Christmas carols than I have readers to request them. Meanwhile, “thewhiterabbit” has asked for O Little Town of Bethlehem. I hope nobody minds my opting for Elvis Presley as the singer. I pay no attention to his rock and roll. But oh, what a voice! And, by all accounts, a man who loved the Lord and didn’t mind using his God-given voice to praise Him.

By Request, ‘It Came Upon a Midnight Clear’

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I flubbed a hymn request by “thewhiterabbit,” so much for perfection–well, here’s the one you wanted, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. I opted for Bing Crosby’s performance–beautiful. But all of Christmas is beautiful.

‘The First Noel’

Posted By: leeduigon(patty)Posted On:

I couldn’t let Christmas pass without The First Noel, another carol we were once allowed to sing in school. I hope you like this rendition by the Dublin Welsh Male Voice Choir.

Let’s have some more requests! Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

By Request: ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’

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Requested by “thewhiterabbit,” Hark! The Herald Angels Sing–I hope you like this rendition by Amy Grant.

Charles Wesley published the lyrics to this Christmas hymn back in 1739, and Felix Mendelssohn composed the familiar melody 100 years later.

Would you believe we used to be allowed to sing this in… school?

Beautiful! Nat King Cole, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’

Posted By: leeduigon(patty)Posted On:

If this doesn’t make your eyes fill up, you’d better get your fluids checked: you might be running low.

O Little Town of Bethlehem, sung by the immortal Nat King Cole–and unless I miss my guess, the art is by Thomas Kincaid.

Tchaaa! WordPress got me again! Automatically disabled the comments. Grrrr!

‘Away in a Manger’ (Nat King Cole)

Posted By: leeduigon(patty)Posted On:

This is the melody for Away in a Manger most often sung here in America: and we’ve got Nat King Cole to sing it–a national treasure.

And now we have to hit the road: back this afternoon.

‘Away in a Manger’ (Libera)

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Away in a Manger is one of my very favorite Christmas hymns, and I’m sure I’ll post it more than just this once.

Choices, choices! The Libera boys’ choir… or John Denver… or Nat King Cole? The British melody, or the American? Hard to choose when you love them all.

Hello, out there! Whoever you are, we’re taking Christmas hymn requests and we’d like to get yours.

‘O Holy Night’ (John Berry)

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Our esteemed colleague “Ohio Chess Fan” posted this on my chess page this morning–we haven’t overdone it with O Holy Night, have we?

We’re trying, here, to fill the air with Christmas music celebrating the historical truth that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Don’t be afraid to request a hymn that’s already been posted! Step right up and help us make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

‘Good King Wenceslaus’

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This 19th century Christmas carol has much to teach us. Note King Wenceslaus’ actions. He is moved to help a poor man, so he does it immediately. He shares out of his own possession. His action is deeply personal, moved by the Holy Spirit. And he breaks the trail for his servant, the stronger helping the weaker, rather than the other way around, the fallen world’s way. No wonder they made him a saint!