Quotes with thought-provoking comments, contemplating the spiritual. Inspiration for lovers of words and deep thoughts. Thank you for your visit! - Denny Lyon
Best Spiritual Posts: Christmas Music: Susan Boyle Sings "Miracle Hymn" From Movie "The Christmas Candle": From Denny: The Christmas season is a time for reflection upon what we thought was the impossible to even dare to dream entering the realm of the possible and becoming our new reality. We call that a miracle because it is so very rare! If ever there was a story to illustrate the impossible becoming the possible it's the story of singer Susan Boyle's meteoric rise to fame. She has recently been diagnosed with autism as an adult. While it's been a rocky road for her she has been creating her life balance and is doing well.
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English: Fireplace made entirely of living plants at the Centennial Park Christmas Show 2010 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A Christmas Post: Christmas Music: Check Out This 2 Hour Jazz and Classical Mashup For Holidays: From Denny: Looking for the perfect Christmas music for background during your holiday gatherings? This music video is great for setting a comfortable and relaxed mood while everyone gathers to visit. Listed below is the song list from the author tonyclem too. Enjoy and Merry Christmas to All!
Spread some happiness all during the holiday season and beyond!
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I've been blogging for three years now and have found loads of Christmas music of all genres - and still adding. Interesting food to enjoy along with Christmas humor to keep you laughing as well as munching through your busy holidays.
This year I'm adding more Christmas stories and poems, the classics. Every year there are new recipes to try so the holiday food train just keeps on rolling!
His voice has a soothing peaceful quality. He has certainly studied his share of the world's religions and it is that knowledge and understanding that brings a richness to his music.
From his album, "The Birth Of Jesus" recorded with the National Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra of London, the Ambrosian Men's Choir, and the Junior Boys Choir of Desborough School.
Enjoy some popular and traditional sacred music for the Christmas season, along with some funny holiday flash mob videos.
From Denny: A person could spend a lifetime sifting through all the offerings over at YouTube and be happy. What fun to explore, looking for interesting Christmas music to fit a wide variety of reader interests.
Here are the offerings I've gleaned for this year. The first song, YouTube sudden viral hit, is from a newcomer, Becky Kelley, whose father wrote the song after Becky related a conversation from her nephew while they were standing in line to see Santa at the mall. It's their first published song, a real shock to the music industry who came asking for more of their work. I guess they had better get busy. :)
And now you have plenty here to help you stress down from the holiday rush, make you laugh, and even get you pumped back up feeling inspired.
Music Video: Pie Jesu by Celtic Woman - Learn the meaning and history of this traditional song, Pie Jesu, which hails from ancient Christianity, rearranged by composers throughout the centuries.
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Learn the meaning and history of this traditional song, Pie Jesu, which hails from ancient Christianity, rearranged by composers throughout the centuries.
From Denny: A very peaceful song indeed. Here is the short translation of two lines which summarize the song:
Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu, Qui tollis peccata mundi; Dona eis requiem, Dona eis requiem.
Agnus Dei, Qui tollis peccata mundi; Dona eis requiem, Sempiternam requiem.
Merciful Jesus, Who takes away the sins of the world; Grant them rest.
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world; Grant them rest, Everlasting rest.
Here's an explanation of the meaning of the song from Answers.com and the English translation of the lyrics:
"Pie Jesu" is the Latin vocative for "Pious Jesus" though it is usually translated as "O Sweet Jesus" as part of invocations in prayer.
An exact translation of a song such as this is clearly difficult to give. It is
the feeling that counts most. The lyrics and translation into English given in
the CD-booklet of Voice of an Angel (1998) from Charlotte Church, for example,
are:
Latin lyrics to English translation of "Pie Jesu"
Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu,
Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu,
Qui tollis peccata mundi;
Dona eis requiem,
Dona eis requiem.
Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei,
Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei,
Qui tollis peccata mundi;
Dona eis requiem,
Dona eis requiem.
Sempiternam, sempiternam requiem.
Lord, have mercy,
Lord, have mercy,
You who take away the sins of the world;
Grant them peace,
Grant them peace.
Lamb of God, Lamb of God,
Lamb of God, Lamb of God,
You who take away the sins of the world;
Grant them peace,
Grant them peace.
Peace everlasting, everlasting.
The last line is actually "Everlasting, everlasting peace" of course. By the
way, the translation of "requiem" as "peace" is, religiously speaking, not
really correct: it is better to use "rest", as in the first translation.
The translation of the Latin phrase, "Pie Jesu" as "Lord, have mercy" is incorrect. A better translation would be "Devoted Jesus", "Faithful Jesus", "O Sweet Jesus", or perhaps even "Merciful Jesus".The writer might have had the phrase "Kyrie eleison" in mind, which is actually Greek. Another translation of "sempiternam requiem"is "Grant them eternal rest."
It translates as Blessed Jesus, or Sanctified Jesus.
From The Straight Dope written by Songbird: If you are not familiar with the Latin Mass or Catholicism - "Kyrie eleison" is Greek for "Lord, have mercy" and is a song by which the faithful praise the Lord and implore his mercy.
The beginnings of the Kyrie eleison can be found in Holy Scripture, mostly in the book that served as the Church's first prayer book, the Book of Psalms ("Have pity on me, O Lord ..." Psalm 6:3).
Written origins of the Kyrie can be traced to the fourth century. In 390 A.D. the Gallic pilgrim lady Aetheria tells how in Jerusalem at the end of Vespers one of the deacons read a list of petitions and "as he spoke each of the names, a crowd of boys stood there and answered him each time, 'Kyrie eleison' ... their cry is without end."
The Kyrie was finally incorporated into the Latin sacramentary in the sixth century for Matins, Mass and Vespers, according to Canon 3 of the Synod of Vaison (529). I remember it like it was yesterday.
In today's Vatican II Church, the Kyrie has been translated into English and is ordinarily prayed/sung by the assembly (which means everyone, ministers included) after the Penitential Rite, in keeping with the rubrics (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 30-31). As a rule, each of the acclamations is said twice (e.g. Presider: "Lord, have mercy." Assembly: "Lord, have mercy." P: "Christ, have mercy." A: "Christ, have mercy." P: "Lord, have mercy." A: "Lord have mercy.")
Why is the Kyrie in Greek? It harkens back to the earliest years of the Church, when the members of the Church in Rome themselves used Greek, and Greek was the language of worship until about the middle of the third century. During the days of the Latin Mass, it was the only remaining Greek prayer.
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Check out the newest addition to Christmas music this season born out of a true story - and a YouTube viral hit.
From Denny: This is a thoughtful song to help get people back into focus about the celebration of the Christmas season. This singer, Becky Kelley, age 30, is an unknown who has suddenly gone viral the past two weeks on YouTube with well over 630,000 hits.
This Christmas song was born out of a four-year-old's innocent but perceptive question, "Where's the line to see Jesus?" Kelley is taken by surprise by the amazing response to the song. She now spends up to three hours a day answering fan e-mails and calls from radio stations and record producers curious to know if she has more songs like this.
"I’m blown away. DJ’s are calling and asking me, ‘Who are you? Do you have anything else? What other records do you have." And I have to tell them this is it. I don’t have anything else."
The song sprung up from a visit to the mall with Kelley's nephew, Spencer Reijgers. While they were standing in line to visit with Santa, he asked her the question about the absence of "where were all the people standing in line to visit with Jesus?" Kelley spoke to her father about the incident and it was he who wrote a song around the story idea. Kelley's father, Steve Haupt, a business owner, also happened to have a background as a pianist. The recent hit song is well on its way into Christmas music legend. "Out of the mouth of babes..." :)
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When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.
From Denny: I still remember the first time I heard this song and it sure sent chills up my spine. It was Kathy Matea who sang it. Her wonderful video is "disabled by request" probably for the holiday season to drive sales.
This song is one of those songs that sticks in your mind and heart. It speaks to the wonder of what it must have been like to be the mother of Jesus. Legend has it that Mary and Joseph were both Essenes who had been prepared for this unusual task to parent a truly old soul. What an understatement.
The legends also tell that the Essenes had waited for centuries for this moment. How did they prepare? The legend goes that the Essenes carefully chose members of the line of King David as it was believed they carried the spiritual anointing. Every year young maidens ascended the stairs to where an angel visited who would make the choice. One year it was Mary who was chosen by the hand of God - and the powerful anointing descended upon her, never to leave. She knew her possible destiny from a young age and was mentally ready to assume her role for humanity. This song speaks to the wonder of what Mary may have felt and thought during the time of her pregnancy. We may never know her private thoughts as there is yet to be seen any historical record found - but the musicians and songwriters sure can speculate.
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When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.
From Denny: This Christmas story is a real tear jerker so pull out the tissues to dab your eyes. It's even more so when you think of friends and family who have passed away from cancer during the holiday season. This story also tells of the strong spirit of giving from a little child that so inspires us all. Sometimes, as an adult we need to be reminded of the simple things and prioritize what truly matters. It's easy to get side-tracked with responsibilities, problems that arise and the hectic schedule of life. A song like this brings us back to the core importance of Life: loving unconditionally. This version is performed by Newsong.
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When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.
Here are the lyrics to the song written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster. This version is sung by Filipina pop singer Charice:
Note To God
If I wrote a note to God
I would speak whats in my soul
I’d ask for all the hate to be swept away
For love to overflow
If I wrote a note to God
I’d pour my heart out on each page
I’d ask for war to end
For peace to mend this world
I’d say, I’d say, I’d say
Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love cause love is over due
And it seems like so much is goin wrong
On this road…… we’re on
If I wrote a note to God
I’d say please help us find our way
End all the bitterness
Put some tenderness in our hearts
And I’d say, I’d say, I’d say
Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love cause love is over due
And it looks like we haven’t got a clue
Need some help from you
Grant us the faith to carry on
Give us hope when it seems all hope is gone
Cause it seems like so much is goin wrong
On this road we’re on
No, no no no
We can’t do this on our own
So
Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love cause love is over due
And it looks like we haven’t got a clue
Need some help from you
Grant us the faith to carry on
Give us hope when it seems all hope is gone
Cause it seems like so much is goin wrong
On this road we’re on
No, no no no
We can’t do this on our own
So, So
If I wrote a note to God
This version is as she sung it on The Oprah Winfrey Show
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When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.
From Denny: When the weather turns chilly, the fire is roaring and the night grows dark and still, somehow it sets the stage for a more traditional Christmas song, one with reverence. This rendition by Celine Dion fits that special niche.
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When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.
From Denny: It was fun to see the difference of the pop nuanced version of the song versus two operatic singers performing. I always like to see a pop singer hold their own with the powerfully trained voices of opera folks. Celine Dion does a beautiful job here. Josh Groban is always one to take on a challenge outside his usual sphere of experience to stretch his abilities to new heights. He is also a songwriter and pianist. He is stuffed full of talent.
This is the more pop interpretation of the song with Celine Dion:
This version is with Charlotte Church and is two power house opera voices blasting it out. Church looked like her biorhythms were off this day yet she still delivered a wonderful performance:
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