At long last, a few songs I LOVE!

OK, my list changes from year to year, so here it is...the Christmas songs of 2010 that Rachel is a little obsessed with.

1. In the Bleak Midwinter. This has a few different melodies, but I think the one I like is the most traditional. The last verse is my favorite..

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise man, I would do my part.
But what I can, I give Him. I give Him my heart.

Arg, I can't figure out how to paste a link, but go to youtube and look up "Sissel In the bleak midwinter." It's the one with the MoTab. In general, I'm on a major Norway kick lately, which you'll discover in song #2.

2. OK, I don't know the English lyrics of this song, the title means "My Heart Often Wonders." I shared it on facebook the other day because I just couldn't quit listening to it. Youtube again, "Mitt hjerte Alltid vanker." So beautiful! I would imagine the lyrics would mean close to the same as another favorite song...

I Wonder as I wander out under the sky,
How Jesus the Savior did come for to die,
For poor ornery people like you and like I,
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.

3. "What shall we give to the Babe in the manger?" I just love this carol. I think for the same reason as "bleak midwinter." I guess this year I have been so overwhelmed with gratitude for the gift of the atonement, the ultimate price that has been paid for me and all the rest of us crazy people running around on this earth together, acting like we actually know stuff. Everyone is so obsessed with gifts, what to give the kids, what to give the parents, what to give the teachers, what to give the neighbors. Yet, no one seems to ask what can be given to the Savior. This last verse gets me every time...

What shall we give to the lamb who was offered?
Rising the third day and shedding His love?
Tears for His mercy, we'll weep at the manger
Bathing the infant come down from above.

4. "Good King Wesceslas"

I used to find this song a bit annoying because it has so many verses. The melody is not particularly beautiful at all, so it's not one that I have listened to a whole lot either. But this year, Samuel played it on the piano and asked what it was about, and I realized I really had no idea. I have never actually read the lyrics or knew much about it. Now that I know the lyrics, I find it a true testament of service and how it blesses the lives of those who serve, more so even than those who are served. To paraphrase (badly) the first few verses, a page (like a servant or footman) is trudging through the snow behind the King Wenceslas, trying to bring food and wine to some poor guy who lives way out in the sticks. Finally the page is like "Dude, I am freakin' cold and I really would rather just turn back and go have some hot chocolate." Then the king is like, "come on, don't be a woos. Walk in my footsteps, that might help."

The last verse:
In the Master's steps He trod
Where the snow lay dinted.
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed.

Therefore, Christian men be sure,
Wealth or rank posessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor,
Shall find yourselves blessing.

I will never call myself the queen of service, it's something I really don't do enough and I recognize that. But I have found, like in this poem, when I buck up and just do some kind of needed service, I find that the Master is truly walking in front of me, doing most of the grunt work for me. Then, when I finish whatever it is and come back home, I find that my own work goes much more quickly as well.

OK, I really have to clean up the kitchen and go to bed, so that's all for now. There are many more, many many more Christmas songs that I love. I guess to sum it up I love songs that keep me thinking, both musically and spiritually, about Christmas. I do have some fun songs that I like, that are not sacred, but they're just catchy. They don't make me think, or make me better in any way, so I just take them for what they are, fun little ditties.