For me, one of the best parts of Christmas is midnight mass, and especially hearing the choir and the congregation sing "Once In Royal David’s City”. There is something magical about midnight mass, and it always takes me back to when I was a little girl and I sang in the choir in the Anglican Church. This beautiful hymn was written for children and was first published in 1848 in the hymnbook "Hymns for Little Children". It is traditionally used as the processional in the Christmas Eve service. The first verse is sung by a child, the second and third verses by the choir, and the remaining verses by the entire congregation. This to me will always be the very essence of Christmas.
However you choose to keep Christmas, I hope it is wonderful. Merry Christmas to all my lovely blogging friends.
41 comments:
Merry Christmas to you and yours Jo...so glad our bloggy paths have crossed. take care..jj
Oh, that is beautiful. I would just die without MUSIC at Christmas time. It's a great joy.
That was beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing it. My mama used to try and tell me about Midnight Mass. She was right; it is something to behold.
Merry Christmss to you and yours. May the joys of the season be felt in abundance. ~ Just Joany
Red Wagon Flights
Merry Christmas!
Kitty x
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you!
This is one of my favourite Christmas Hymns.
Merry Christmas, Jo.
Merry Christmas, Jo! I started my blog on Dec. 31st last year. Looking back, I discovered that you were the very first commenter I had, other than my daughter! I feel honored that you found my blog and thought it worthy of comment.
We're huge fan of Christmas music - we enjoy a variety of the old and not so old favorites. I couldn't imagine this time of year without it! Merry Christmas! Enjoy the day with your loved ones :) Glad to have met you via your blog in 2009!
Jo
I love some of the traditional Christmas songs as well as the modern fun ones. OK, I just love Christmas music in general. It's one of my favorite parts of this time of year.
Merry Christmas to Josie and all here.
I've never got to experience Midnight Mass, but I have always wanted to! Thanks for sharing. I learned a little about Midnight Mass, so thank you! Merry Christmas, Jo!
Best wishes for 2010 Jo. Thanks for your message earlier; most thoughtful of you. Phil
And the same wishes for you, Jo. Glad I got to visit your blog this year.
Merry Christmas, Jo!
Beautiful Jo! Merry Christmas!!!
Merry Christmas Jo, and may peace and love surround you and yours.
Aloha, Friend!
Happy Holidays
Comfort Spiral
Merry Christmas Jo! We used this hymn as our wedding processional (we were married December 15 - 19 years ago!) - boy did I feel special walking in to this music!
Even more beautiful when children sing it. We no longer have a midnight mass but masses spread out throughout the evening. We attend the 10 pm one that ends around midnight. Merry Christmas to you and your family Jo!
Merry Christmas, Jo!
Beautiful video and post, Jo!
I came to wish you a very Merry Christmas. May all your dreams come true this year. It's been a treasure to know you over the last year and I look forward to a continuing friendship in 2010!
Love,
Kelly
Dear Jo, thank you very much for introducing me once again to something I did not know before.
May you all have a wonderful Christmas time.
Merry Christmas ! Always with your blog in 2010...From a blogger, Far from Asia...
Wonderful video Jo, it is a wonderful time of the year right now, even thou I know of so many losses of friends of mine.
Your blog has become the standard which all blog should follow.
Merry Christmas Jo
I've never heard that one before. It's nice.
I can hear fireworks outside right now. Maybe they're for Christmas. I can't think of any other reason for fireworks today.
At least I hope they're fireworks.
A very merry Christmas Jo and may all your fondest wishes come through!
Enid
Merry, Merry Christmas, Jo. I am happy to have discovered you and your wonderful blog!
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Jo.
Merry Christmas, Josie.
Happy Christmas to you and yours, Jo, and every blessing in the New Year.
You were kind enough to drop by my blog a couple of weeks ago, so I wanted to return the courtesy.
I hope that you and your loved ones are having a wonderful Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Jo:)
Merry Christmas to you Jo! That's another beloved Christmas hymn which I almost included on my blog but chose the Sussex Carol instead. The King's College Choir singing the Christmas Carol Concert is the sound of Christmas for me. I listen to it every year.
I've enjoyed meeting you and reading your blog daily over the past year. ¡Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo! Hugs... Sharon.
Jo
I wanted to whish you a wonderfull xmass and holidays, and tell you that i have a deep admiration for your great spirit, always willing to learn, to relate, to make.
You are wonderfull being
Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas to all you cool cats and pretty kitties! And have a purrrfect New Year!
Merry Christmas, Josie! I'm out playing in the snow with San the Peskie Eskie! This is our first white Christmas in forever! Have fun with the Munchkins!
~Liz
Looks like I will be about your 246th comment (!) but Merry Christmas to you all the way from Iowa!
Iowa, the land of snow and ice and wind. Iowa, which is a four letter word ..... for flat!
Seriously, I hope you and your family have a wonderful, joyous and most merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas from sunny Arizona!
I hope you had a wonderful, and Merry Christmas, Jo :-) May the new year bring you many good, and wondrous things.
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