By Request, ‘Angels from the Realms of Glory’

Phoebe asked for this one–Angels from the Realms of Glory, sung by choir and congregation at the 7th Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Complete with lovely snowscapes, God’s handiwork: well, they do get to see a lot of them in Michigan, in the winter.

(Note: We have a couple birthdays coming up, Phoebe’s included. Rounding up the party hats…)

By Request, ‘Joy to the World’ (Fountainview)

Lydia asked for this a couple days ago, but I got my signals crossed–so it’s late. Joy to the World, performed, in a most creative setting, by the students at Fountainview Academy.

By Request, ‘Ding-Dong Merrily on High’

I love this carol! It makes me want to jump up from my chair and yell Hosanna! Thank you, Joshua, for requesting it–Ding-Dong Merrily on High, by Gabrielle Johnson Music. Throw in a harpsichord and I’ll be dancin’, too!

By Request, ‘O Holy Night’

I seem to be doing a lot of Nat King Cole this Christmas. Well, why not?

Requested by TheWhiteRabbit, O Holy Night.

Hard to believe someone just sat down and wrote this, isn’t it?

By Request, ‘Good King Wenceslas’

Requested by Phoebe: Good King Wenceslas, sung by “a Traditional Choir.”

Historical note: “King Wenceslas” was Vaclav the Good, Duke of Bohemia, martyr and saint in the 10th century. His outstanding virtues moved the Church to declare him a king, posthumously. He is the patron saint of the Czech nation–but also a treasure held in common by all Christians.

Byron’s Contest Report

Image result for images of quokkas and christmas

G’day! Byron the Quokka here, with a progress report on our second annual Christmas Carol Contest.

A new leading carol has emerged, racking up 44 views the other day–44, by gum! But as a wise Tasmanian devil once said, “Where there’s 44, there must be more.” For the time being, those 44 views have set a record. But records are made to be broken!

The winner will get an autographed copy of Lee’s new Bell Mountain book, His Mercy Endureth Forever. It hasn’t been published yet, but everything’s ready and it should be coming out soon.

Keep those Christmas hymn requests coming!

‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ (Fountainview)

The students at Fountainview Academy always have such interesting settings for their hymns. This is O Come, All Ye Faithful, aboard the Kettle Valley Railway in Summerland, British Columbia.

Encore! ‘Hark! the Herald Angels Sing’

We posted this two days ago–Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, by Charles Wesley, performed by the Christendom College Choir–but our friend SlimJim has requested an encore, and we’re happy to provide it. This really is a beautiful rendition of this hymn.

By Request, ‘What Kind of Throne’

Wow! Are we making a joyful noise unto the Lord today, or what?

Requested by Erlene, What Kind of Throne, from the Richmond Hill Baptist Church in Calgary. I never heard this hymn before, and it stirred my soul. “I’ll give Him the throne of my heart.” Well, that’s the throne He wants!

By Request, ‘Silent Night’ (in Irish)

Requested by Susan: Emer Barry (who used to sing solo for Celtic Woman) with Affiniti, performing Silent Night in Irish and English–with a bit of Brahms’ Lullaby mixed in.

I’ve got a lot of hymn requests to see to today, but if I don’t go out and buy some new shoes now, I’m gonna wind up barefoot. I’ll be back!