It’s getting cold outside

And it’s getting that feeling in the air!  It’s almost Thanksgiving, which means it’s almost Christmas.  And here’s hoping to snow in Delaware between now and then!

Walking around in 30-40 degree weather this morning on main street in a college town was wonderful.  My wife said that it smelled like snow here.  I’ve been drinking good hot chocolate all week.  I love this time of the year.  All of this has put me in the Christmas mood - yeah, I’ve even gotten Christmas shopping done - and one of my favorite Christmas bands is Trans Siberian Orchestra.  Here’s a song to help you begin to think about the coming season…

Phos Hilaron

Phos Hilaron (Φῶς Ἱλαρόν) is an ancient Christian hymn originally written in New Testament Greek. The hymn is known in English as ‘Hail Gladdening Light’ or ‘O Respledent Light’. It is the earliest known Christian hymn recorded outside of the Bible that is still being used today.

John Keble Version as on the album “Hymns Ancient & Modern”

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured
Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,
Holiest of Holies–Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;
The lights of evening round us shine;
We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung
With undefiled tongue,
Son of our God, giver of life, alone:
Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, thy own. Amen.

And the lyrics “Joyous Light” from the Hymns CD

Hail Gladdening Light, sun so bright
Jesus Christ, end of night, alleluia
Hail Gladdening Light, Eternal Bright
In evening time, ’round us shine, alleluia, alleluia

Hail Gladdening Light, such joyous Light
O Brilliant Star, forever shine, alleluia, alleluia

Chorus:
We hymn the Father, we hymn the Son
We hymn the Spirit, wholly Divine
No one more worthy of songs to be sung
To the Giver of Life, all glory is Thine

Aerosmith’s Steve Tyler sings Amazing Grace

In a church no less!

And then…he does a little “Lean on Me”

Caught in the Middle

I was able to get Casting Crowns‘ new album, The Altar and the Door, on iTunes this morning. Yeah, I pre-ordered it. Here’s a song that I’m falling in love with called “Somewhere in the Middle”. And it comes with a shout out to my friend Paul Littleton as the main tag line is the title of his blog!

Verse 1
Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, You’ll find me

Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You’re making me
Somewhere in the middle, You’ll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control?

Chorus
Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle

Verse 2
Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves
Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You’ll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control?

Chorus
Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle

Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You’re by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I’m caught in the middle

Music Thursday

I was perusing youtube for a video for worship on Sunday and I found a few old videos that are just wonderful and bring back quite a few memories.

The first is a song done in 1989 by a group of Christian artists called “Carry the Light”. It was a “We are the World” takeoff, but it’s a great song! How many Christian artists can you name?

The next is from one of my favorite artists, Steve Camp. I love his music and his old stuff is awesome. This one is called “Stranger to Holiness/Taking Heaven by Storm”.

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