A Haven for Vee

Monday, December 24, 2012

O Holy Night

Never sing louder than lovely



An exquisite voice — listen for the note so pure that it will bring a stinging tear (or I don't know how to call them). This is Anita and she blogs at Far Above Rubies. You may visit You Tube and listen directly *here.* It seems to work better.

(Thank you, Barbara, for sharing your friends.) 

***

"The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit," he exclaimed, his breath vaporizing on the frosty air, "The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are!"
He was looking things in the face and knowing them for what they are. "And they are...," he huffed, fishing for a word, 'beserk!'
Father Tim in Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon 
Oh it was a splendid idea to place a rereading of this book on my What I Want Christmas to Be list. I've laughed and wept a bit and enjoyed it so much.

So, yes, Father Tim's sentiments are my own this Christmas Eve morning. I've written a new list and it includes ever so many things for the day. I'm sure that yours does as well. Still, I hope that midnight finds John and me at the Christmas Eve service singing joyfully. (That will mean a required nap somewhere along the way.)

A blessed, meaningful, and altogether holy Christmas Eve to you...

31 comments:

  1. Have a Merry Christmas Vee! Enjoy your holiday with your family. I loved reading the Jan Karon series. Reminds me a bit of our small town.

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  2. Happy Christmas Eve...

    Happy Christmas...

    "Auntie"

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  3. Yes, I have a list as long as my arm...and here I sit reading and listening to "O Holy Night"...but I'm so glad I took the time this morning! What a voice (yes, you called it right)! Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this.

    A very blessed Christmas to you and John!

    (Now back to that list...)

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  4. Thank you, Vee, for a beautiful start to my morning. Anita is blessed with an amazing voice. I know just which note you refer to ... she says through teary eyes. I must go visit her blog.
    I may have to re-read Shepherd's Abiding. I've read all of the Mitford books and could often relate to Father Tim's sentiments.

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  5. Good morning Vee. Thank you for introducing us to Anita's blog and her passionate rendition of 'O Holy Night' which I enjoyed very much.
    No list for me today, only hope that family we're staying with tonight will get better. Our granddaughter and SIL both have the flu and this will be the first time for us to stay overnight and see the excitement of the young grands Christmas morning.
    Merry Christmas
    Judith

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  6. What a wonderful way to begin my day! Merry Christmas to you and yours Vee!

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  7. Oh thanks for sharing...beautiful...and yes, Lord willing I too be will singing at the Christmas Eve service.
    Merry Christmas!!!

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  8. A beautiful voice, indeed, and you can feel how the singer means every word.
    I have a copy of Shepherds Abiding and I think I must get it out now! Should have done this a week ago.

    May you and John and all your loved ones celebrate a joyful blessed Christmas together, Vee!

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  9. Delightful!! How pure and sweet her voice is.
    I have one more solo to get through and then I am home free...as far as my nerves go. :-)

    Have a very blessed Christmas.
    Love,
    Becky

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  10. Many Merry Christmas Wishes to You and Yours!

    A gorgeous voice.

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  11. My father always sang "Oh Holy Night" solo on Christmas Eve. It's such a beautiful song. All the blessings of Christmas to you and yours Vee. Merry Christmas!

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  12. Vee
    Merry Christmas!
    I miss hearing from Father Timothy:(
    May your day be merry and bright!

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  13. Merry Christmas, Vee to you and John. Thanks for sharing Anita with your beautiful followers. Sending you hugs xo

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  14. Merry Christmas to you and John! Would you believe that I just recently discovered the Mitford series? I'm on my 5th book in the series about Father Tim. I can't put them down and read anything else now! They are all such a delight, and filled with wisdom and wit.

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  15. Merry Christmas to you and John!!!!! Oh Holy Night indeed.

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  16. Anita is amazing ~ I love her blog and her family story. I must re-read the Father Tim books too ~ so enjoyable. Enjoy every bit of the things on your list, and have yourself a very Merry Christmas.

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  17. Yes, O Holy Night - my favorite of all time, and you're right, she DOES have an exquisite voice! Wish I could be right there beside you at your midnight service, Vee! In my blog post today, I commented that I'm not stressing either, just taking it as it comes. No need to get in a dither. This holy night is of utmost importance and reverent I must be. I cannot be reverent by stressing out over details. Wishing you and John a wonderful and awe-inspiring midnight service. Hugs, my dear friend!

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  18. That was indeed beautiful and it did bring tears to my eyes. Music does that to me so very often. At church you can usually see me crying during the special music. I used to try to hide it, but no longer, I just let the tears come. : )
    A very Merry Christmas to you and John, a couple of very special people!! : )

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  19. I did listen to this video before. She has a beautiful voice and I also enjoy following her blog. We are enjoying our Christmas Eve after a last visit to town this morning. We are looking forward to some special moments with our family and friends. Wishing you and John wonderful memories with your loved ones. Merry Christmas! Warm hugs,
    Pam

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  20. Hi Vee!

    What a beautiful voice - one of my favorite Christmas songs!

    Merry Christmas sweet friend!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  21. That was really beautiful!

    Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas!

    Manuela

    P.S. yes, try to remember to take a photo before everyone starts eating. I'm curious to see which two recipes you made.

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  22. It might be time for me to re-read some of Karon's books, too.
    A very Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

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  23. Thank you for your comment, my heart is also still filling :)
    May you have peace and plenty this holiday season!

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  24. Beautiful!

    Merry, Merry Christmas to you and John,dear Vee!

    Love
    Deanna

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  25. We love Jan Karon's books. I have read them aloud to Louis Dean. (I had already read them.)
    I hope y'all were able to be at the Christmas Eve service - an hour and 7 minutes ago - according to TEXAS time! We were taking our second ham of the day out of the roaster!
    Thank you so much for all the wonderful encouraging words you have given through this eventful year. You and John are spoken of by name around here!

    Merry Christmas from TEXAS!!

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  26. Exquisite voice, indeed, I must go by and visit her! I just had to come by this beautiful Christmas morn. to once again wish you, John and your family a most blessed Christmas Day. A treat for me this morning was catching up on your previous posts. I am sorry I missed the notecard party, again..... I just had to tell you to tell John, I know exactly what a little putty and paint will do! lol.Love his quote!1
    Much love,
    Sue
    p.s. the door still needs painting, maybe tomorrow.~grin~

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  27. Merry Christmas! May you have a very blessed Christmas.

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  28. Merry Christmas! I hope that your Christmas will be enjoyable and may the essence of Christmas remain with you always.

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  29. "O Holy Night" is one of my favorite Christmas songs! I enjoyed the video --her voice is so pure and lovely. Our Christmas service was beautiful and V and I cried thinking we are leaving our church of so many years behind. We know Jesus is everywhere and will direct us to a new home to worship Him.

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