Christmas Eve

Do you find it hard to sleep tonight,
Resting by the Christmas lights?
Could there be something you forgot?
Beyond the bows, and mistletoes,
The tree with presents wrapped below,
There's more to this than you had ever thought?
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year?

What is Christmas?
If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger.
What is Christmas without Christ?

Remember how the story goes,
God's gift was wrapped in swaddling clothes,
Beneath the star, one great and holy night.
The shepherds heard the angels sing,
The wise man brought an offering,
Peace on Earth began in Bethelethm
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year?

What is Christmas?
If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger.
What is Christmas?
If the angels never sang 'Glory to the new born king?'
What is Christmas without Christ?

There'd be no gloria
In excelsis deo
Gloria
In excelsis deo

What is Christmas If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger.
What is Christmas without Christ?
This is Christmas,
It’s all about the Savior wrapped in a manger.
This is Christmas,
Because of Jesus Christ!
This is Christmas,
Because of Christ!
Because of Christ!

This is Christmas by Kutless

September 26th

Today Frodo, Sam, Legolas, Gimli and I went out on a lovely sail on my little ship. We crossed the Bay of Eldamar to Alqualonde on Valinor. I know my mother worries sometimes that I don't have many friends of my own age amoung the elves, but I just love hearing about the War of the Ring! The adventures they all had! They are all so brave. And thankfully they all have good memories and can tell me all about it. Sometimes it is as if I am really there.

Anyhow, we had a lovely time walking around Alqualonde and then climbing the hills outside the city. As usual, my friends made me sing a song for them. I don't mind, I enjoy singing. Today I sang a song called "Going Home", it makes me think of the War of the Ring.

5 Quick Takes Saturday - Vol 17

~ 1 ~

Well, i've been having a refresher course in accepting God's Will these past couple of days. It's been a bit hard at times, but i think i've finally accepted and gotten over the fact that i'm not out in Virginia at the Fairy Tale Novels Forum Get-Together. I had to cry, write a song and pray before i could, but now i'm fine.
It makes me wonder....

How do people who don't believe in God or prayer ever survive?

~ 2 ~

Er, as i mentioned in the above quick take, i wrote a rather pathetic song about not going to Virginia. I am quite proud of it, so i figured i would share it with you other deprived people out there. ;) 'Tis to be sung to the tune of "When There Was Me and You" from High School Musical.

It's funny when you find yourself
Watchin’ them on YouTube.
I'm standing here, but all I want
Is to be over there.

Why couldn’t it have worked out,

A miracle just happen?
Cause now I have to pretend
That I am fine right here.

I want to go to Virginia

And see my friends, my family.

Meet Paul, Elena, Grace

And Rachel too.

But my folks knew I couldn’t buy

A ticket to Front Royal oooh ooh

Wish I could be there too….

I swore I would get there somehow
By a train or walking.

And how I tried,

I did all that

A girl could ever do.
But it just wasn’t meant to be.

Now I’m feeling wistful,

I’m only left with might-have-beens

And maybe a next year.

Now I know I can’t go to VA,
Won’t see my friends, my family.
Meet Emmy, Daisy, Liz

And Bowman too.
Cause now even I can tell
I can’t go to Front Royal, oooh ooh
Wish I could be there too
But dreams don’t all come true

Hey at least,

They gave me call.

Got to talk to

Them that’s better

Than nothin’ at all.

I wish I was there too,

Be there with all of you.
But dreams don’t all come true.

~ 3 ~

A highlight of the week though was being able to talk to some of the folks at the Black Cat Inn Thursday and again today!!!! Let's see, i talked to Emmy, Rachel, Vicki, Hannah, Grace, Paul and Ginger and Elena said hi i think (it was a bit hard to hear at times, so i'm not really sure!)
Anyhow, thanks to all of you whom i talked to for taking pity on a poor girl who wants to meet you all so much!!!

~ 4 ~

Random fact... my character on the forum died the other day. Poor me, i was killed when the evil villain was backed up against the edge of a cliff so he threw a knife at Peter and leapt over the cliff rather than surrender. (Poor addle-brained lug.) Now, as it would have been against the rules for Peter to die (we have a no killing your husband rule) I simply had no choice but to leap in front of him and die myself! It's been rather nice, you know, being mourned and all that. One dear girl even wrote a song. ;)

~ 5 ~

Hmm, shall i post something non forum related for this one? (Horror of horrors, that 'twould be unthinkable!)

Well, i shall be going swimming shortly, so ta ta for now!

Odyssey by Hayley Westenra

Name: Odyssey
Artist: Hayley Westenra
Artist's other albums: Pure, Celtic Treasure, West Side Story, Treasure, River of Dreams
Favorite songs: Prayer, Never Saw Blue, What You Never Know, My Heart Belongs to You, You Are Water

Song by Song Review:

Prayer - When i first got the CD from the library and i saw the title, my first thought was "Oh great, someone else singing "The Prayer". Then i listened to the song and was surprised and pleased that it wasn't the song i thought it was at all. (I like "The Prayer", but no one ever does anything new with it!)
Favorite lyrics: "Let your arms enfold us, Through the dark of night, Will your angels hold us, Till we see the light"

Both Sides Now - An okay song, rather mellow, but with Hayley's voice, of course it's pretty.
Favorite lyrics: "The dizzy dancing way that you feel as every fairy tale comes real, I've looked at love that way"

Never Saw Blue - This one's a very sweet love song, very gentle and graceful.
Favorite lyrics: "You're giving me all you have and more, no one else has ever shown me how to see the world the way I see it now"

Dell'Amore Non Si Sa - Another love song, this one a duet with Andrea Bocelli! I liked the music for the refrain, but wasn't overly fond of the verse's melody. Probably the best part of the song is the end when Andrea and Hayley sing together.
Favorite lyircs: Ma quando amore arriverà, tutto intorno cambierà nella notte brillerà (When love arrives, everything changes, all around it shines in the night)

What You Never Know (Won't Hurt You) - A very pretty song about falling in love. This was originally sung by Sarah Brightman, but i prefer this version to Sarah's, as Hayley's has a nice refrain to it that i absolutely love.
Favorite lyrics: "I'm falling for you. I'm falling for you. My heart's torn in two, I'm falling for you"

May it Be - Alas, i was disappointed in this, because 1) I like Enya's original the best and 2) Hayley didn't do anything with it. In the Celtic Woman version, they at least added a very nice instrumental introduction, but nothing of the sort here.
Favorite lyircs: "May it be when darkness falls, your heart will be true"

Quanta Qualia - This song is on the slower side, and has only eight words in it, but it's pretty and would be good to listen to if you are trying to fall asleep.
Favorite lyrics: I'll just post the song: "Anima mea mane! Quanta qualia conventus gaudia erunt ( My soul wait! How great and how wonderful the joys of the meeting will be.)"

You Are Water - This one's a fun song. I guess you could look at it from the veiw of being sung to someone you're in love with, but i prefer to look at it from a religous point of veiw. It fits better that way too, i think.
Favorite lyrics: "You are water on a hot summer day, for a thirsty daughter who's finding her way." "I want to thank you, yeah I want to thank you."

She Moves Through the Fair - A pretty song, as usual. Don't have much to say about this, other than i like the very Celtic sounding bridge.
Favorite lyrics: "Just one star awake, like the swan in the evening, moves over the lake

My Heart Belongs to You - Ah! I LOVE this song! It's so beautiful, romantic and moving. I fell in love with it even before Hayley began singing. I will most certainly be playing this at my wedding! (Assuming i get married, of course.)
Favorite lyrics: Eek, i have to pick a favorite section? "As the moon lights up the sky, there's a thousand reasons why my heart will only beat for you. You're the reason that I live, so now all I've got to give, I give it to you" And then the whole refrain.

Ave Maria - This version is by Gulio Caccini, and is really a very pretty classical work.
Favorite lyrics: "Ave Maria"

I Say Grace - The closing song is a gospel number, which Hayley's voice isn't particularily suited for, but it's nice. I'm not a huge fan of gospel though.
Favorite lyrics: Now I understand, when the roof caves in, lets the sun shine in. Life is beautiful now at the end of day"



Overall: So if you don't like music on the mellow side you won't like this album because there really aren't any "upbeat" songs, per say. Personally i love listening to Hayley's voice, it's just so clear, high and pure. I highly recommend it!

Note: Thanks to Katy for the review format!

The Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

Song to Our Lady of Fatima

Refrain: Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!

1. In Fatima's cove on the thirteenth of May;
the Virgin Maria appeared at mid-day.

2. The Virgin Maria surrounded by light;
God's Mother is ours for she gives us this sight.

3. The world was then suffering from war, plague, and strife,
and Portugal mourned for her great loss of life.

4. To three shepherd children the Virgin then spoke
a message so hopeful, with peace for all folk.

5. With sweet Mother's pleading, she asked us to pray,
do penance, be modest, the Rosary each day.

6. All Portugal heard what God's Mother did say,
converted it sings of that Queen to this day.

7. We all must remember Our Lady's request,
do all that she asks for, obey her bequests.

8. She warned of behavior from which we must turn,
of thoughts, words, and actions which Christians must spurn.

9. To her sad, sweet pleading our promise is made,
that God's Law in all things be strongly obeyed.

10. From nation to nation her fair name is praised,
as souls from sin's bondage are contritely raised.

11. Our thanks to the Godhead, whose ways are so sure,
for giving us Mary, our Mother Most Pure.

12. Our hearts, overflowing with kindness and love,
thank her for God's graces bestowed from above.

13. Hail, Refuge of sinners! Hail, Star of the Sea!
Hail, Queen of Creation! Our hope is in thee.

14. All hail, Virgin Mary! This Star guides our way,
our country's Protectress, America's Way!

5 Quick Takes Sunday - Vol 8

~1~

Ok, i was going to schedule this post for Saturday before i left for my friend's house on Friday, but i had other stuff i needed to do then. So i'm doing it now! I'm theme-ing it this week and posting all the songs I've fallen in love with the past two days. =)

~2~

Wuthering Heights, by Hayley Westenra. I actually wouldn't say that i've fallen in love with this song, but i do like it. Hayley sings it on her CD "Pure", which i just picked up from the library on Thursday. It's kind of a cool song, based on the book "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte. (If you are curious, yes, after hearing this song, i did pick up Wuthering Heights" to read it again. Can't stand that book.)

~3~

My Heart Belongs to You, by Hayley Westenra, from her CD "Odyssey". This song is gorgeous! The melody is awesome, the lyrics are beautiful and her voice is lovely. Added it to my list of must-play songs for my wedding reception.

~4~

My Heart Will Go On, by Celine Dion from the movie Titanic. Okay, i cofesses that i just listened to this song for the first time on Thursday! I've heard of it before, of course, but i'd never heard it. Then for whatever reason, i looked it up on YouTube and now i can't believe i've never done it before!

~ 5~

He Lives in You from The Lion King. This song is in the Broadway show (which i haven't seen) as well as in Lion King: Simba's Pride, which i have seen once a long time ago after it just came out. I recently heard it again twice this past week, the first time when my forum "daughter" posted it on one of the threads, and again yesterday at my friend's house. And seeing as i love The Lion King and this is a rather religous song, how could i not fall in love with it? (Thus annoying Yavi who doesn't understand my obsession with Lion King. She should be used to it, its been going on since i was 5!)



Have a wonderful day!!!!

Rose Randomly Rambles Rather than Retiring

Ok ok, one last post for today and then I'll go to bed I promise!

What? Oh, hi there! Sorry, talking to my mom, who actually hasn't told me to go to bed yet but will. But I must say a few things before Sunday is over. Er, rather, sing a few things. Ok, I'm going to sing to you!

I am 16 going on 17
I know that I’m naive
Fellows I meet may tell me I'm sweet
And willingly I believe

I am 16 going on 17 innocent as a rose
Bachelor dandies
Drinkers of brandies
What do I know of those?

Totally unprepared am I
To face a world of men
Timid and shy and scared am I
Of things beyond my ken

I need someone
Older and wiser
Telling me what to do
You are 17 going on 18
I'll depend on you

Tada! Thank you! Thank you! I just had to sing that today, because I won't be able to after this week. Why, may you ask? Well, I shall whisper you a secret... I turn 17 on Friday! It's my birthday preciouss! Ha, that reminds me. The other day, I was in a rather hyper mood, and I was talking in a Gollum/Smeagol voice to my sister Yaviel and I looked out the window and saw the UPS coming up the drive. I declared that I would answer the door, grab the package and say (in a Gollum voice, of course) "It's my birthday present preciousss, and we wantss it!" Yavi actually believed me (and to tell the truth, I might have really done it!) and chased me into the basement so I couldn't open the door.

Second thing I wanted to share with you... I registered the domain name for my web-site last week! The address is modesty-mall.com. Nothing is up yet, but I will definitely keep you all posted! For those of you who didn't know (and that would probably be all of you), I have been working on building a website on modesty since the start of the school year. It's going to be all about modesty, why to dress modestly, how to dress modestly, where to find modest clothing, books on modesty and a whole bunch of other fun stuff.

Now you may be thinking, "What! She started back in August and just registered her domain name? She must not have been working much on it!" Wrong, as a matter of fact, I work on it at least two hours a week. So you may then think, "Well at least two hours a week, what's her problem? Just registered her domain name!? Sheesh! I would have registered it a long time ago and been writing a bunch of pages by now!" Well, if you think that, then you've never heard of SiteSell. To learn just what SiteSell is, simply click on the link. I think you will find it quite fascinating. Basically, the whole concept is building a site - centered on something you know and love. Building a site that is successful, popular and earns you an income! Interested now? ;)

Third thing, if you would, I would like to direct you to a new blog that I discovered Catholicism Rediscovered. It's written by my little sister's friend's older brother, recently started, but promises to be quite fascinating! So just pointing that out to y'all!

Okay, so, that's it for this week! See you later!

I wish you a Merry Christmas!

I wish you a Merry Christmaaaaasss.....
AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Merry Christmas! Christmas! I Love Christmas! Drinks all around! Oops! Sorry there my dear Hannah, I do believe I spilled some cider on you!

So how was your Christmas, everyone? I am very happy to say that mine was wonderful, in every way. I was thrilled to be in such an eager anticipation and excitement for the approaching holy day. The only emotion I can remember from last year was, well, nothing, and then relief when it was all over. But last year (2007) - for some reason or another - was not a good year for me. But this year, I was almost afraid at the amount of excitement and joy that I had. Usually with a high like that, it's followed right up by a severe drop in the opposite direction - but that hasn't happened yet, so here's hoping! This year was kind of like the words of the song by Josh Groban I am listening to right now.
When it seems the magic slipped away...
We find it all again on Christmas Day.

Christmas is such a wonderful time, and I'm not sure where I am going from here so I need to pause for a moment and collect my thoughts....
-Intermission-
It is the season of the heart
A special time of caring
The ways of love made clear
It is the season of the sprit
The message if we hear it
Is make it last all year

A part of childhood we'll always remember
It is the summer of the soul in December
Yes, when you do your best for love it feels like Christmas
-End-

Love the muppets! Ha ha.
Ahem, anyhow. Would you all think me terribly trivial if I talked about gifts and gift giving? No? Great! Actually, Jesus Christ Himself was a gift, so there you go!

There is something about gifts and gift giving that I just love, and it is one of my favorite parts of this whole season. There is something in the anticipation, wondering what could be inside the boxes, what could it be in there? We all know it must be something wonderful. I wonder if that is not how the shepherds felt, rushing towards a much bigger "box" of sorts, a stable, wondering about what exactly was inside, wait to open and see just what a tremendous gift it was. They had an idea, like many of us do when we see our gifts under the tree, but they didn't know for sure what was inside.

For me, the much of the specialness about gifts is not so much the gift itself, but the idea of the gift. Not so much what it is that I got, but the fact that someone took the time to think about what it is that I would want, went to the trouble of getting it for me. I am always so touched and delighted when given a gift from someone. There is such meaning for me in that simple gesture. Again, it's like that with God. He took the time and trouble of preparing all those years ahead of time to give us the gift of His Son, and showed more love in that gift than any of us could ever imagine.

I love to give gifts as well. I get more pleasure in seeing someone accept and open a gift I have made or bought them as I do in getting one myself. I've thought this many times, and I heartily agree "'Tis Better to Give than to Receive". It must give God great joy when we recieve the gift of His Son on Christmas, and every time we recieve the Holy Eucharist. And how upset He must be when we recieve His gift without joy or gratitude.

Moving on to Christmas music briefly before bidding you adieu until the next time I feel like posting. Christmas music is so great, from the awe inspiring, peace giving, love-inspiring hymns to the bouncy holly jolly carols. Some of my favorites are
O Holy Night - in my opinion one of the most beautiful and graceful songs of the season.
Carol of the Bells - This is just a cool song, especially the Celtic Woman version. Can't say why I like it, but I like it!
Holly Jolly Christmas - Ugh! I'm sick of this song right now! But I love it anyways, it's so fun!!! "O ho the mistltoe, hung where you can('t) see! Somebody waits for you! Kiss her once for me! Have a holly jolly Christmas, and in case you didn't here, O by golly have a holly jolly Christmas, this year!"
It Feels Like Christmas - From "The Muppet Christmas Carol", one of my favoritest Christmas movies ever. So happy, and joyful and sing-a-long-able!

Well, alas my dearly beloveded readers and devoted fans, I must leave thee all now to do, er, something and in the words of Tiny Tim
"May God Bless us Everyone!"

Mississippi Squirrel Revival

That's what I love about country music... you can sing about the most ridiculous things, and it ends up being a great song. In the car yesterday, we heard this song... and is it funny! So if you need a laugh, press play and listen! (And don't forget to turn on your volume ;)

Well, when I was a kid I'd take a trip every summer down the Mississippi

To visit my granny in her antebellum world

I'd run barefooted all day long climbin' trees free as a song

And one day I happened to catch myself a squirrel

Well, I stuffed him down in an old shoe box, punched a couple of holes in the top

And when Sunday came I snuck him into Church

I was sittin' way back in the very last pew showin' him to my good buddy Hugh

When that squirrel got loose and went totally berserk

Well, what happened next is hard to tell

Some thought it was heaven others thought it was hell

But the fact that something was among us was plain to see

As the choir sang "I Surrender All" the squirrel ran up Harv Newlan's coveralls

Harv leaped to his feet and said, "Somethin's got a hold on me", Yeow!



Chorus:

The day the squirrel went berserk

In the First Self-Righteous Church

In the sleepy little town of Pascagoula

It was a fight for survival that broke out in revival

They were jumpin' pews and shoutin' Hallelujah!



Well, Harv hit the aisles dancin' and screamin'

Some thought he had religion others thought he had a demon

And Harv thought he had a weed eater loose in his Fruit-Of-The-Looms

He fell to his knees to plead and beg and the squirrel ran out of his britches leg

Unobserved to the other side of the room

All the way down to the amen pew where sat Sister Bertha better-than-you

Who'd been watchin' all the commotion with sadistic glee

But you should've seen the look in her eyes

When that squirrel jumped her garters and crossed her thighs

She jumped to her feet and said "Lord have mercy on me"

As the squirrel made laps inside her dress

She began to cry and then to confess to sins that would make a sailor blush with shame

She told of gossip and church dissension but the thing that got the most attention

Was when she talked about her love life and then she started naming names




Chorus



Well seven deacons and the pastor got saved,

Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised and fifty volunteered

For missions in the Congo on the spot

Even without an invitation there were at least five hundred rededications

And we all got baptized whether we needed it or not

Now you've heard the bible story I guess

How he parted the waters for Moses to pass

Oh the miracles God has wrought in this old world

But the one I'll remember 'til my dyin' day

Is how he put that Church back on the narrow way

With a half crazed Mississippi squirrel



Chorus

9/11

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Angels Among Us

You know, one of my favorite things about listening to the country music station, is that you never know what little jewel might turn up next. I haven't heard this song in several years, but I just heard it yesterday and fell in love. It is just a beautiful song. I was actually reading Waking Rose at the time, but had to stop, otherwise I know I would have been bawling! (Hope it makes up for the horrible science post.)

Enjoy.

Hebrews 13:2"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby, some have entertained angels unawares."

Angels Among Us
by Alabama
I was walking home from school on a cold winter's day
Took a shortcut through the woods and I lost my way
It was getting late and I was scared and alone
Then a kind old man took my hand and led me home
Mama couldn't see him, but he was standing there
But I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love

When life dealt troubled times and had me down on my knees
There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend just to say I understand
Ain't it kind of funny at the dark end of the road
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love

They wear so many faces
Show up in the strangest places
Grace us with thier mercy
In our time of need

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love

To guide us with a light of love.