{yuletide carols} The Soup is On!

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Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Brrr... it's a cold one.  And a little damp, too!

We've just finished caroling, Angels We Have Heard on High, yes! - even on a cold and rainy night.  The dear old soul, to whom we just sung to, has kindly welcomed us inside her humble abode.

She said - she had soup enough for everyone.  Really?  We think: She's an angel!

***

Sausage Corn Chowder
1/2 lb. bulk sausage, browned and drained
1 medium onion, chopped fine
3-4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 15 oz can (or, 2-3 c.) of Corn Kernels ( can use creamed corn)
1 32 oz. carton of Chicken broth or combo of water and chicken bullion cubes - to cook potatoes in.
salt and pepper to taste
dash of red pepper flakes (opt. - but my preference)
2 cups heavy whipping cream
3-4 cups milk
1/4 lb. Velveeta cheese, or 1 cup shredded cheddar (which I prefer)
2 hard boiled eggs, chopped (opt.)

Brown sausage and onion.  Set aside.  Cook potatoes until soft, drain.  Add corn, s & p, cream, cheese, milk, sausage and onion until heated through. Do not let it come to a boil. (Ask me how I know.)  If desired, add hard-boiled egg.  Another option would be to replace the heavy whipping cream for cream cheese, cubed.

Serve up hot with crusty, fresh baked bread and you and your guests will be more than satisfied.

***

Come to Bethlehem and see

Him whose birth the angels sing

Come adore on bended knee

Christ the Lord, the new born King

Gloria, Gloria

Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Gloria, in excelsis Deo

{reflections in song} vs. {yuletide carols}

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Halt!  There has been a name change!!

I guess, I can do this - as it is my blog.
 I wanted to let you know that I've decided to change the name of this ...this series of festive, holiday posts having to do with carols and caroling, etc..

From {reflections in song} to {yuletide carols}.

We're not that far along anyway..so, I don't think it will matter too much.

And while, yes!, I do want it to remain as a time of {reflection in song} - a time to recall and to simply worship Our Saviour! - I felt that for the new friend coming in and just reading the title "reflections in song", they may not get that I am referring to Christmas Carols, etc.

I originally was having trouble with the name of it anyway.
This just suits me better  and hopefully, you too!

All in favor, say aye!  or Not!

***

{Hand Painted}

***
So. As far as I can tell you all have been enjoying it and so have I.  I continue to find myself walking around the house - humming these carols, as I go.

If you went back and read this post - you know that I grew up caroling every Christmas Eve! - with our church.

A special time and a precious memory, for me.

And, every now and then, we - the Carolers - would be ushered indoors for either hot chocolate or a bowl of hot soup {namely Chili}.
So, for tomorrow.  I am going to share with you a recipe for a bowl of hot soup..not, Chili.
This soup is one of my favorites to serve, this time of year!
***
Thanks for reading and singing along..these {yuletide carols}.
s.
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks.
(assume: Country backroads, bumpy dirt roads)
Dressed in holiday style.
In the air
There's a feeling
of Christmas
Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
and on ev'ry street corner you'll hear..

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city (country)
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day.

{yuletide carols} Silent Night

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Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

***
Did you know?:The origin of the Christmas carol we know as Silent Night was a poem that was written in 1816 by an Austrian priest called Joseph Mohr. On Christmas Eve in 1818 in the small alpine village called Oberndorf it is reputed that the organ at St. Nicholas Church had broken. Joseph Mohr gave the poem of Silent Night (Stille Nacht) to his friend Franz Xavier Gruber and the melody for Silent Night was composed with this in mind. The music to Silent Night was therefore intended for a guitar and the simple score was finished in time for Midnight Mass. Silent Night is the most famous Christmas carol of all time!
{source}

This is certainly one of my all-time favorites...

{yuletide carols} O come, O come Emmanuel

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O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people save

And give them victory o'er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,

And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,

Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,

In ancient times did'st give the Law,

In cloud, and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

***
{source}: O come, O come, Emmanuel is the mid-19th century translation by John Mason Neale and Henry Sloane Coffin... The text is based on the biblical prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 that states that God will give Israel a sign that will be called Immanuel (Lit.: God with us). Matthew 1:23 states fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

{yuletide carols} Preparing...

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Hello December -

Hello Friends.

This month I would like to prepare my heart room for the beauty of the season.  Christmas is coming at a high rate of speed; its just a few short weeks away.  I'm not nearly as busy - at least, according to my calendar - as I was last year...but, busy enough.  Albeit to say, I'm sure the "business" will find it's way in.  

The verse above describes, in prayer, my thoughts, for myself, this holiday season.  

I just want to know HIM more..fuller, richer, deeper.

I was trying to think how I might keep blogging simple, as well, and yet still celebrate (with you! as readers) in the true beauty of Christmas.  I thought...I love {Yuletide} Carols... I have fond memories of Christmas caroling..

So, that said,  I think I'll just be posting random carols (probably just the lyrics) in either bits and pieces or in full...over this month of December, perhaps with a few other thoughts/quotes, and photos in between.  Maybe I'll even sprinkle in a few holiday recipes, as well.  Seasonal - of course!

I'm sure some of you will enjoy that!

I'm sure there will be another Daybook Post, for December and at least one more
Mugs & Muffins for the year!

So - one way you can join in here is to leave me, in the comments, one or two of your favorite carols..I would love to hear from you!!  I'm sure you'll all be picking many of my favorites - but please come back and "listen in"/read along, for your favorite carol..
***

And, here is one to help get us going..

Caroling, caroling, now we go
Christmas bells are ringing
Caroling, caroling thru the snow
Christmas bells are ringing
Joyous voices sweet and clear
Sing the sad of heart to cheer
Ding dong, ding dong
Christmas bells are ringing

Caroling, caroling thru the town
Christmas bells are ringing
Caroling, caroling up and down
Christmas bells are ringing
Mark ye well the song we sing
Gladsome tidings now we bring
Ding dong, ding dong
Christmas bells are ringing!

Caroling, caroling, near and far
Christmas bells are ringing
Following, following yonder star
Christmas bells are ringing
Sing we all this happy morn
"Lo, the King of heav'n is born!"
Ding dong, ding dong
Christmas bells are ringing