Fröhliche Weihnachten!
Oh. My. Goodness. This makes me so happy. shirt.woot.com/ makes an Ugly Sweater t-shirt every year for Christmas. Thankfully, I have never been a recipient of said US, but as a knitter, I can appreciate this.
On an even nerdier note, my dad shared www.theatlantic.com/doc/200305/ryback with me this morning. Having the privilege to work hands on with history is such a cool thing! Wow do I feel like a nerd now for getting excited about Hitler's personal library. This definitely is further proof for my chosen field. (Speaking of which, I need to finalize my list of grad schools and start printing off applications.)
Also, I love my Christmas tradition of listening to King's College's Service of Lessons and Carols with my dad every year. They had some strange, more modern stuff this year, which isn't always my favorite, but it's a joy to listen to regardless. Speaking of which, I'm the lone singing alto at church for this Christmas. Gotta love walking into the first rehearsal after you're home and being asked if I'd like to sing alto since I'll be the only one.... uh huh... The songs are easy enough that it's not a problem. Guess I'm a better sight reader than I thought. :-)
One of the songs we're singing reminds me of one of my favorite Christmas hymns, "Where Shepherds Lately Knelt." Both texts are by Jaroslav Vajda, so there's no surprise there. He certainly had a way with words that makes them powerful. This song we're singing, "Peace Came to Earth," makes me want to cry it's so beautiful.
Peace came to earth at last that chosen night
When angels clove the sky with song and light
And God embodied love and sheathed his might-
Who could but gasp: Immanuel!
Who could but sing: Immanuel!
And who could be the same for having held
The infant in their arms and later felt
The wounded hands and side, all doubts dispelled-
Who could but sigh: Immanuel!
Who could but shout: Immanuel!
You show the Father none has ever seen,
In flesh and blood you bore our griefs and pain,
In bread and wine you visit us again-
Who could but see Immanuel!
Who could but thrill: Immanuel!
How else could I have known you, O my God!
How else could I have loved you, O my God!
How else could I embrace you, O my God!
Who could but pray: Immanuel!
Who could but praise Immanuel!
Merry Christmas!
On an even nerdier note, my dad shared www.theatlantic.com/doc/200305/ryback with me this morning. Having the privilege to work hands on with history is such a cool thing! Wow do I feel like a nerd now for getting excited about Hitler's personal library. This definitely is further proof for my chosen field. (Speaking of which, I need to finalize my list of grad schools and start printing off applications.)
Also, I love my Christmas tradition of listening to King's College's Service of Lessons and Carols with my dad every year. They had some strange, more modern stuff this year, which isn't always my favorite, but it's a joy to listen to regardless. Speaking of which, I'm the lone singing alto at church for this Christmas. Gotta love walking into the first rehearsal after you're home and being asked if I'd like to sing alto since I'll be the only one.... uh huh... The songs are easy enough that it's not a problem. Guess I'm a better sight reader than I thought. :-)
One of the songs we're singing reminds me of one of my favorite Christmas hymns, "Where Shepherds Lately Knelt." Both texts are by Jaroslav Vajda, so there's no surprise there. He certainly had a way with words that makes them powerful. This song we're singing, "Peace Came to Earth," makes me want to cry it's so beautiful.
Peace came to earth at last that chosen night
When angels clove the sky with song and light
And God embodied love and sheathed his might-
Who could but gasp: Immanuel!
Who could but sing: Immanuel!
And who could be the same for having held
The infant in their arms and later felt
The wounded hands and side, all doubts dispelled-
Who could but sigh: Immanuel!
Who could but shout: Immanuel!
You show the Father none has ever seen,
In flesh and blood you bore our griefs and pain,
In bread and wine you visit us again-
Who could but see Immanuel!
Who could but thrill: Immanuel!
How else could I have known you, O my God!
How else could I have loved you, O my God!
How else could I embrace you, O my God!
Who could but pray: Immanuel!
Who could but praise Immanuel!
Merry Christmas!