Merry Christmas! - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Now turn with me to number 87 in your hymnals and let's sing:

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

From Latin, 12th century                             Ancient plain song, 13th century
   

1.  O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear.  Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

2.  O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, And order all things, far and nigh;  To us the path of knowledge show, And cause us in her ways to go.  Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!


1.  O come, Desire of nations, bind All peoples in one heart and mind;  Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease;  Fill the whole world with heaven's peace.  Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

A special thanks to "Paul Thompson" for posting this on YouTube




First of Advent 2013 - Angels We Have Heard on High
Second of Advent 2013 - Angels from the Realms of Glory
Third of Advent 2013 - Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming
Fourth of Advent 2013 - We Three Kings of Orent Are

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Fourth of Advent 2013 - We Three Kings of Orient Are

 

  

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.' When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written:

But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.' After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with this mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route." Matthew 2: 1 - 12

Advent Wreath

All 4 candles have been lit on the Advent Wreath

Please listen to the YouTube video of this beautiful Christmas Carol below the lyrics.

Now turn with me to number 112 in your hymnals and let's sing:

We Three Kings of Orient Are

John H. Hopkins, 1820-1891                                John H. Hopkins, 1820-1891
   

1.  We three kings of Orient are:  Bearing gifts we traverse afar Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.

CHORUS

2. Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again, King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign.

CHORUS

3.  Frankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a Deity nigh; Prayer and praising all men raising, Worship Him, God on high.

CHORUS

4.  Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom:  Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

CHORUS

5.  Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice; Alleluia, Alleluia!  Sounds thro' the earth and skies.

CHORUS

Chorus

O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding.  Guide us to Thy perfect light.


A special thanks to "urkindofmusic15" for posting this on YouTube


First of Advent 2013 - Angels We Have Heard on High
Second of Advent 2013 - Angels from the Realms of Glory
Third of Advent 2013 - Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming

Planning for Extended Stay Company - BEVERAGE

 

 Meal Planning for Extended Stay Company - BEVERAGE

It's that time of year when our houses are full of family & friends.  Whether it's an unexpected visit from Cousin Eddie or the dreaded yearly visit from Fuller McCallister - Meal planning is essential!  This post is the last of a six part series on Meal Planning for those types of visitors.

Today it is all about BEVERAGES - Drinks.  I included Smoothies in this category even though technically Smoothies are a meal not something that you drink with a meal - so please keep that in mind.  These are my top 10 Beverage recipes in order of my preference (Look at the picture and if something looks interesting to you then find the number below & click on the title to view the entire post)  ENJOY!

1.  Holiday Punch

 

2.  Chai Tea Made from Scratch

 

3.  Cranberry Walnut Smoothie

 

4.  Homecanned Grape Juice

 

5.  Cinnamon Apple Cider Smoothie

6.  Ginger Coconut Pear Smoothie

 

7.  Stevia Sweetened Lemonade Slushy/Icey

 

8.  Berry Almond Cacao Smoothie

 

9.  Blackberry Apricot Smoothie with Green Tea

 

10.  Celery'n Applesauce Smoothie

 

Also see:
BREAKFAST ideas for Holiday Company
LUNCH ideas for Holiday Company
DINNER ideas for Holiday Company
DESSERT ideas for Holiday Company
SNACK ideas for Holiday Company

 

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Third of Advent 2013 - Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming



All roses in this picture were grown by my dad & all photos were taken by me:  Angie Ouellette-Tower

 

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' - which means, 'God with us.' When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus." Matthew 1: 18 - 25

 Advent Wreath


Three candles have been lit on the Advent Wreath

NOTE ABOUT THIS SONG:  This Christmas Hymn is so near and dear to my heart for two reasons -
1.  I am half German and heard this song in my grandparent's home often during Christmas time - hearing this song brings me tears of joy & tender memories
2.  Because my dad is a master rose gardener - the symbolism & comparison of Jesus' birth to that of a tender rose opening into glorious splendor is amazing!


Please listen to the YouTube videos below the lyrics.  I also included a German version "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" - please listen & watch the German version because the literal translation is a little different and somehow means so much more in the original German tense.

Now turn with me to number 90 in your hymnals and let's sing:

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

Traditional by Theodore Baker          16th Century Melody by Michael Praetorius, 1571-1621
   

1.  Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming From tender stem hath sprung!  Of Jesse's lineage coming As men of old have sung.  It came a flow'r-et bright, Amid the cold of winter, When half spent was the night.

2. Isaiah 'twas foretold it, The Rose I have in mind, With Mary we behold it, The Virgin Mother kind.  To show God's love aright, She bore to men a Savior, When half spent was the night.

A special thanks to "rexlibris99" for posting this Christmas hymn on YouTube



A super special thanks to "gatoz56" for posthing this on YouTube & for translating


First of Advent 2013 - Angels We Have Heard on High
Second of Advent 2013 - Angels from the Realms of Glory

Fourth of Advent 2013 - We Three Kings of Orent Are 

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Second of Advent 2013 - Angels from the Realms of Glory

 

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.' When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2: 8-20

 Advent Wreath

Two candles have been lit on the Advent Wreath

Please listen to the YouTube video of this beautiful Christmas Carol below the lyrics.

Now turn with me to number 107 in your hymnals and let's sing:

Angels From the Realms of Glory

James Montgomery, 1771-1854                                Henry Smart, 1813-1879
   

1.  Angels, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth;  Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth:

CHORUS

2. Shepherds, in the field abiding, Watching o'er your flocks by night, God with man is now residing;  Yonder shines the infant Light:

CHORUS

3.  Sages, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar;  Seek the great Desire, of nations;  Ye have seen His natal star:

CHORUS

4.  Saints, before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear, Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear:

CHORUS

Chorus

Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ the newborn King.

A Special thanks to "Reawaken Hymns" for posting this on YouTube


First of Advent 2013 - Angels We Have Heard on High
Third of Advent 2013 - Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming
Fourth of Advent 2013 - We Three Kings of Orent Are

 

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First of Advent 2013 - Angels We Have Heard On High

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.' Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.' 'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.' 'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said.' Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26 to 38

Advent Wreath


One candle has been lit on the Advent Wreath.

Please listen to the YouTube video of this beautiful Christmas Carol below the lyrics.

Now turn with me to number 102 in your hymnals and let's sing:

Angels We Have Heard On High

Old French-English Carol

1.  Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the plains.  And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyouis strains.

CHORUS

2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?  Why your joyous strains prolong?  What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heav'nly song?

CHORUS

3.  Come to Bethlehem, and see Him whose birth the antels sing;  Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

CHORUS

4.  See Him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise;  Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise.

CHORUS

Chorus

Glo-------------------ri--a 

in excelsis De------o    Glo----------------

ri---a     in excelsis De-----o




A special thanks to "Megan Smith" for sharing this video with us on YouTube




Second of Advent 2013 - Angels from the Realms of Glory
Third of Advent 2013 - Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming
Fourth of Advent 2013 - We Three Kings of Orient Are

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Old Fashioned Sunday Hymn Sing #14

I miss the old hymns that I remember from my childhood - there were no drums, no electric guitar and no mind numbing beat. It was just voices and maybe a piano or an organ. The choir led the congregation in singing - and the words of these hymns are poetic. I realize that there is a need for the modern "seeker oriented" worship music - but it is also necessary to have deeper songs (no offense intended to anyone who prefers the newer church songs).

I decided to have an "Old Fashion Sunday Hymn Sing" once a month on this blog.

I personally do NOT have a great singing voice - I used to play the guitar & piano but my voice is NOT an instrument. That's the great thing about this digital hymn sing, you can warble along without being embarrassed or without offending anyone else.

The hymns that we will be studying are taken from an old hymnal from a Baptist church that is no longer in existence - "The North American Hymnal" published in 1956 by "THE ROGER WILLIAMS PRESS"

I will also try to find a version of the featured hymn on "YouTube" to share with you each month.

Today's feature song is "Blest Be the Tie That Binds"  written by John Fawcett (1740-1817) & composed by Hans G. Naegeli (1768-1836) & Lowell Mason (1792-1872).  John Fawcett was a Baptist Theologian, pastor and hymn writer.  He served as pastor to a small Congregation at Wainsgate Baptist Church in West Yorkshire, England.  In 1772 he was offered a prestigious  position at the Carter's Lane Baptist Church in London but at the last minute he declined the position and remained at his small church - after this decision to stay he wrote this hymn.

This hymn is special to me - the small German Baptist church from my childhood used to sing this hymn at the end of almost every Sunday service.

Below the lyrics I have included two YouTube Videos of this hymn.  The first video sounds exactly like I remember it and the second video is just instrumental but it's "folksy" and I really enjoyed it.

Turn with me to number 479 in your hymnals and let's sing:

Blest Be the Tie That Binds

by John Fawcett(1740-1817) composed by by Hans G. Naegeli(1768-1836) &
                                                                   Lowell Mason (1792-1872)

1. Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love;  The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above.

2.   Before our Father's throne We pour our ardent prayers;  Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, Our comforts and our cares.

3.  We share each other's woes, Each other's burdens bear, And often for each other flows The sympathizing tear.

4.  When we are called to part, It gives us inward pain;  But we shall still be joined in heart, And hope to meet again.

 A special thanks to "drolas94" for posting this on YouTube



A special thanks to "The Worship Network" for posting this on YouTube

Other Hymns on this blog:
When the Roll is Called Up Yonder 

Nearer, My God To Thee
It Is Well With My Soul

Count Your Blessings

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

I Love To Tell The Story

Crown Him With Many Crowns

He Lives

At The Cross

Onward Christian Soldier

Standing on the Promises of God

"Giant Gray Stripe" Sunflower - Part 3

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

The "Giant Gray Stripe" Sunflower - Part 3 BEST

I took so many pictures of this fantastic flower that I decided to split them into 3 posts: GOOD pictures, BETTER pictures & BEST pictures.  Today you will be seeing the BEST photos.  I saved the BEST for last.

ENJOY the following pictures!

All photos were taken by me (Angie Ouellette-Tower) and the sunflowers were all grown in my garden.

© (2013)

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower


Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower


Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower


Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower


Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower


Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower


Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower


Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Sunflowers from 2013:

Giant Gray Stripe Sunflower - Part 1

Giant Gray Stripe Sunflower - Part 2

Soraya Sunflower

Italian White Sunflowers

Starburst Blaze Sunflowers

Sunflowers from 2012:

Mammoth Sunflowers

VanGogh Sunflowers

Floristan Sunflowers

Cherry Rose Sunflowers

Monet's Palette Mixture Sunflowers

Sunflowers from 2011:

Sunflowers, Black Velvet Queen

Sunflowers, Autumn Beauty

Sunflowers, Royal Flush

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Please checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!!

"Tree Nursery Online" is a fantastic Wholesale website.  They have Flowering Trees & Shrubs, Evergreen Trees & Shrubs, Vines, Ferns, Mosses - The best quality and at the best wholesale prices. 

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"Giant Gray Stripe" Sunflower - Part 2

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

The "Giant Gray Stripe" Sunflower - Part 2 BETTER

A blogging friend of mine answered the question I had about the name of this sunflower - it is called "Gray Stripe" because there is a gray stripe on the seed!!!  Thank you Marci!

I took so many pictures of this fantastic flower that I decided to split them into 3 posts: GOOD pictures, BETTER pictures & BEST pictures.  Today you will be seeing the BETTER photos.

ENJOY the following pictures!

All photos were taken by me (Angie Ouellette-Tower) and the sunflowers were all grown in my garden.

© (2013)

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower



Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower



Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower



Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower



Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower



Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Sunflowers from 2013:

Giant Gray Stripe Sunflower - Part 1

Giant Gray Stripe Sunflower - Part 3

Soraya Sunflower

Italian White Sunflowers

Starburst Blaze Sunflowers

Sunflowers from 2012:

Mammoth Sunflowers

VanGogh Sunflowers

Floristan Sunflowers

Cherry Rose Sunflowers

Monet's Palette Mixture Sunflowers

Sunflowers from 2011:

Sunflowers, Black Velvet Queen

Sunflowers, Autumn Beauty

Sunflowers, Royal Flush

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Linked to:
Post Showoff Weekend Hop
Super Sunday Sync

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Please checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!!

Angel from "Sew Crafty Angel" has an amazing blog full of delicious recipes, fun blog hops, great giveaways & crafty ideas!! 

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