Let the Lyrics Tell the Story

"Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ the Savior is born!"




..second verse of Silent Night (Stille Nacht! Helige Nacht!) written by Fr. Joseph Mohr in 1816; music composed by Franz Gruber, 1818. First played on Christmas Eve, 1818, in St. Nicholas Church, Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. Translated into English in 1863 by John Freeman Young.

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"Joy to the world! The Lord is come, Let earth receive her king!"

...Joy to the World, written as a lyrical adaptation of Psalm 98 by Isaac Watts in1719.

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"O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above the deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in the dark streets shineth the everlasting light, the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight."

...O Little Town of Bethlehem, written by Phillips Brooks in 1868 after having spent Christmas in Bethlehem in 1866.

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"O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining, it is the night of our dear Savior's birth...Truly he taught us to love one another, His law is love and his gospel is peace."

...O Holy Night (Cantique de Noel) was written by Placide Cappeau in 1847, music composed by Adolphe Adam. Translated from French to English in 1855 by John Dwight, O Holy Night was the first Christmas song ever played live on the radio when Reginald Fessenden, former lab technician for Thomas Edison, transmitted a broadcast from the Brant Rock radio tower in 1906.

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"Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains, and the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strain. Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!" 

...Angels We Have Heard on High, translated from the original French carol in 1862 by Bishop James Chadwick, England.

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May the words of the Christmas season be a blessing to all, sowing songs of hope, joy, light, peace, and love in hearts everywhere.

Merry Christmas!

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(photo sources: pixabay, google images)

11 Quotes on Babies, and Joy

photo courtesy of Pixabay.com

"The world is as many times new as there are children in our lives." --Robert Brault

It's been a couple of special days around here. Texts ringing, updates singing. Announcement finally came in--we're grandparents of another new little one, fifth grandchild and third granddaughter--born yesterday--and we couldn't be happier. This special child is already bringing joy to her parents, her older brother, and all of the family. They live a few states away but you can bet we'll be on our way to meet her as soon as we can.

In celebration of a wee one who's sure to help us see the world a new way and open our eyes once again to wonder, joy, and imagination (and maybe even dance steps?), I share some of my favorite quotes about babies, with hopes and prayers that more children can be raised in nurturing and loving homes. For that is all they ask for, really.

 1. "If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle." --Vincent van Gogh

 2. "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."--Elizabeth Stone

 3. "A baby has a special way of adding joy to every single day."--unknown

 4. "A new baby is like the beginning of all things--wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities."--Eda J. LeShan

 5.  "A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on."--Carl Sandburg

 6.  "Babies are always more trouble than you thought--and more wonderful."--Charles Osgood

 7.  "Babies are such nice ways to start people."--Don Herrold

 8.  "Babies are bits of stardust, blown from the hand of God."--Barretto

 9.  "Children are a handful sometimes. A heart-full all the time."--unknown

10. "A baby is born with a need to be loved--and never outgrows it."--Frank A. Clark

11. "Every baby needs a lap."--Henry Robin

Once, way back in 2011, I posted my favorite poem about babies, "Song for a Fifth Child," by Ruth Hulbert Hamilton. It has proved to be one of my most popular posts. You can find it here if you'd like to revisit it. And prior to that, when proud big brother to new baby sister was born, I posted about his arrival in Story of Joy (here). In that post I quoted this sentiment, "Jumping for joy is great exercise."

Little did I know that four years later, I'd be posting that his baby sister has arrived and carries the name, did you guess, Joy. (See there's a theme here after all.) Special name connoting what's special about children. Oh, and only secondarily, my middle name. What an honor!

Just sharing a little bit of what has lit up our life this past week. How about you, any good news to share or a sparkle from your corner of the world?

p.s  A serendipitous moment [serendipity (n): "the ability to make fortunate discoveries by accident"]--in searching for 'just' the right photo to illustrate this post, I came across these delightful baby shoes on pixabay.com. On further examination, I realized the shoes are set on a background of an open Bible. Looking closer, I saw that the words are not in English. I copied some phrases into translate.google.com and discovered the language is Portuguese. Why is this significant? My daughter-in-law is from Brazil and her first language is Portuguese! Perfect.

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Seeking the Simpler Things

"There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy." --Ralph H. Blum

Just taking a quiet moment before the pace speeds up, pies go in the oven, and cranberry bread gets mixed--to add to all the Thanksgiving wishes being offered across the blogging world. Writing voices are on pause while the voice of gratitude is celebrated.

So! May we enjoy this time. May we laugh and share. Care. Hug. Remember. Cherish. Offer help and, yes, words--words of compassion, support, encouragement, thankfulness. The simpler things plumb deepest.

Once back at work, may gratitude and quiet joy give the next round of written words more meaning.

"Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action." --W.J. Cameron

Happy Thanksgiving!

Story of Joy

Jumping for joy is good exercise. --Author Unknown

It's been a fantastic day. First and foremost came the news that our second grandchild--and first grandson--was born last night. Can't help but share our happiness. We are excited, and I've been jumping for joy all day--which truly is good exercise!

With this wonderful family news came the development of a new skill. I've finally learned how to use my cell phone for more than just making the occasional phone call. I know, I'm a bit late in getting into this game, but sometimes we learn things only after they become a necessity. In our case, the new parents--our son and daughter-in-law--live on the west coast. I plan to get out there to hold the little guy for real sooner than later, but until I can, I'm thrilled to receive photos of the new life on a small screen--especially the one of him at only 15 minutes old. Be still my heart!

Joy comes in several forms, one of which--in addition to grandchildren--is the joy of writing. Jane Yolen's Take Joy, A Writer's Guide to Loving the Craft is one of my favorite books on the subject.

For sure, I'm not suggesting that writing carries a deeper joy than that which comes from a precious new life. But at this special time in our lives, I was drawn to Ms. Yolen's book and was not surprised to learn that she draws joy from grandchildren, too--and links such joy to the world of writing. She says (p. 173):

I contend that a writer is always working, whether standing or sitting,
whether lying down in a hot bath or walking up a steep hill,

whether brainstorming with an editor or dreaming on a train trip.

Activity that stimulates the cardiovascular system also stimulates the imagination.

Don't forget to smell the grandbabies.

Pay attention to good food.

Lie down on your stomach in the tall grass.

Listen to the rhythm of ocean waves.

Put your hand on graven stone. Finger silk. Touch a loved one's hair.

Breathe in the world.

Good advice all the way, but did you especially notice, "...don't forget to smell the grandbabies..."? It's part, she says, of breathing in the world. I can't wait for the day I can do this with little Nicholas.

So that's my story of joy for the day. Just thought I'd share. How about you? Any snippets of joy you'd like to share--or favorite breathe-in-the-world pastime to tell about?