Let us Adore Him

Prayer Improvisations Christmas“Adeste Fidelis” is the original Latin title of the Christmas hymn carol known as “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” For many years the writer and composer was unknown. According to Kenneth Osbeck, the hymn was first published in 1751 in the collection “Cantus Diversi” by John Francis Wade, who wrote and composed this Latin hymn carol in 1744. One hundred years after its publication, the carol was translated into English by Frederick Oakeley, an Anglican minister.

John 1:14 New International Version (NIV)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

As I listen to the Prayerful Improvisation of this beloved Christmas carol performed by Peter Vantine, I reflect on John 1:14 and then think of the third verse of this carol. I invite you to do the same and perhaps realize that the phrase “O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord!” is an invitation for all of us to do likewise.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be glory given
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or YouTube. This is the Dec. 29 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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Angels We Have Heard

Gloria in Excelsis Deo. “Glory to God in the Highest.” In his book “Amazing Grace 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories of Daily Devotions, 2nd Edition,” Kenneth Osbeck writes:

“The Bible teaches that angels are the ministering servants of God and that they are continually being sent to help and protect us, the heirs of Salvation. Certainly, their most important task, however, was this momentous occasion announcing Christ’s arrival on earth!”

Prayer Improvisations ChristmasTo ease your mind, heart, and soul on this Lord’s Day. Listen to Peter Vantine in his piano solo recording of this French Carol, while you reflect on Luke 2:14 New International Version (NIV):

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Are you an heir of Salvation? When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You become an heir of Salvation and have Peace that transcends all understanding because God’s favor rests on you.

Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or YouTube. This is the Dec. 27 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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O Holy Night (piano solo)

Four days until we celebrate Christmas here in America. As I write this blog I am reminded by the news that the Christmas Star, that hasn’t appeared in 800 years, will shine brightly tonight! Prayer Improvisations Christmas

One of the most beloved classic Christmas carol is “O Holy Night.” The origins of the lyrics come from the Christmas poem Cantique de Noëlwritten by French poet Placide Cappeau in 1843.  The composer Adolphe Adams set the poem to music in 1847, and then the poem was translated to English by minister and abolitionist John Sullivan Dwight in 1855.

This piano solo arrangement by Peter Vantine captures the reverence of the night Jesus Christ was born. Peter begins with musical notes that somewhat depict the motion of a mother rocking her child to sleep in her arms. Can you imagine the blessed Virgin Mary with Jesus in her arms as she soothes and rocks him to sleep?

Now imagine the angelic voices as they sing and proclaim the birth of the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus Christ the savior of the world is born! Finally, imagine everyone who came to see the baby Jesus and falling on their knees in awe and reverence for the fulfillment of prophecy. Try to think of the lyrics as you listen to this recording and  reflect on the words. Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or YouTube.

This is the Dec. 21 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Prayer Improvisations ChristmasAn evening  blog about the real meaning of Christmas. This piano solo is the bonus track of the Prayerful Improvisations Christmas album. We’ve been through many trials and challenges during this pandemic that shook us. And we didn’t know it would change our lives drastically. Now more than ever the world needs a Savior.

Two thousand years ago, the Jewish people cried out for the promised Messiah to come and save them from captivity in Babylon. The birth of Jesus Christ announced in Luke 2:11 in the Bible is the fulfillment of prophecy for the long-awaited Messiah. John 3:16 says “For God so Loved the World that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus is the Son of God who came to live among us and then died on the cross for the sin of mankind, so that when we accept Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Savior, we are reconciled to God and live through all eternity .

Based on the chant or plainsong, Kenneth Osbeck writes “‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ was originally used in medieval church liturgy as a series of antiphons sung for the week of Vesper services just before Christmas Eve.” Each stanza (verse) below is about the different biblical names of Jesus Christ: Emmanuel-God with us; Wisdom from on high; Desire of nations; and Dayspring. Today, this hymn is sung in churches as Christians prepare for Christmas which is the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth.

Stanza 1  Stanza 3 
O come, O come, Emmanuel, O come, Desire of nations, bind
And ransom captive Israel, All people in one heart and mind;
That mourns in lonely exile here Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease;
Until the Son of God appear. Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel. shall come to thee, O Israel.
Stanza 2  Stanza 4 
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
And order all things, far and nigh; Our spirits by Thine advent here;
To us the path of knowledge show, Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And cause us in her ways to go. And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel. shall come to thee, O Israel.

This recording is a reflective musical interpretation of the song.  Imagine the opening musical notes representing  the heavens and the space between heaven and earth. The oboe then plays the melody as if praying to God to send Emmanuel.

Listen to Peter’s piano solo arrangement and performance on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or watch the video on YouTube. This is the Dec. 18 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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Holly and the Ivy

As I write this blog I see SNOW outside my window! Well, at least enough snow to cover my car. It’s freezing and beginning to feel like winter. While listening to this song, I’m reminiscing back to my college madrigal ensemble.

The writer/composer of this traditional British folk Christmas carol dating back to the Medieval times is unknown. It was one of the songs we performed at Madrigal Dinners. Prayer Improvisations Christmas We also performed this carol while touring England right after Christmas until the New Year. I had the joy of singing with my college madrigal ensemble all over England in two separate trips.

In the Prayerful Improvisations Christmas album, Peter Vantine creates an ambiance for the listener to sit in quiet reflection of the lyrics, with his sweet and gentle piano solo performance of this carol.  Taken from Sharp’s English Folk-Carols (1911):

Stanza 1 Stanza 2
The holly and the ivy, The holly bears a blossom,
When they are both full grown, As white as the lily flower,
Of all the trees that are in the wood, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
The holly bears the crown. To be our sweet Saviour.
The rising of the sun The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer, And the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ, The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir. Sweet singing in the choir.
Stanza 3 Stanza 4
The holly bears a berry, The holly bears a prickle,
As red as any blood, As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to do us sinners good. On Christmas Day in the morn.
The rising of the sun The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer, And the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ, The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir. Sweet singing in the choir.
Stanza 5 Stanza 6
The holly bears a bark, The holly and the ivy,
As bitter as any gall, When they are both full grown,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ Of all the trees that are in the wood,
For to redeem us all. The holly bears the crown.
The rising of the sun The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer, And the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ, The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir. Sweet singing in the choir.

Peter’s arrangement starts in a low key and then he almost inconspicuously modulates to the original key by the end of the song. Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or YouTube.

This is the Dec. 16 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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Winter Bells

Prayer Improvisations Christmas“Carol of the Bells” is a traditional Ukrainian Bell Carol composed by Mykola Leontovych and lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky.

“Hark how the bells,
Sweet silver bells,
All seem to say,
Throw cares away

Christmas is here,
Bringing good cheer,
To young and old,
Meek and the bold…”

My first recollection of singing this song was in high school. This Christmas classic is included in my playlist as the piano solo “Winter Bells” arranged and performed by independent artist extraordinaire Peter Vantine and recorded in his “Prayerful Improvisation Christmas” album.

I’ve had the privilege of musically collaborating with Peter while I lived in Boston, where we co-produced my “Simple Song” CD album. Once I left New England, we collaborated again for my “Silver Bells: Songs of Christmas JOY!” Christmas album.

Peter’s rendition of this haunting melody is like a warm blanket of music for your spirit and auditory senses. Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or on YouTube.

This is the Dec. 1st song of the day from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

WELCOME | ABOUT | JAMM | LOVING YOU | ORDER CDs | SILVER BELLS

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