Christmas Carols for the Christmas Season

I love Christmas Carols. I love Christmas music. I wish we could sing them all year long. So I spent this Christmas season listening to Christmas music on the radio and on Christmas Day there were several great TV programs of Christmas music. (In fact we had a small TV war when my cousin switched the channel temporarily to a football game. I won, it was my house!)

So lets start with the history of Christmas Carols. I googled History of Christmas Carols and came up with the following links:

from Ask.Com http://musiced.about.com/od/christmasnewyeararticles/a/carols.htm

Word Origin
The word carol or carole is a medieval word of French and Anglo-Norman origin, believed to mean a dance song or a circle dance accompanied by singing. Broadly defined, carols express religious joy and is often associated to the Christmas season. Carols are also used to describe late medieval English songs on various subjects with a verse and refrain. Often the verse and refrain (also called burden) alternates.

History of Christmas Carols
It is unclear when the first carol was written but it is believed that circa 1350 to 1550 is the golden age of English carols and most of the carols followed the verse-refrain pattern.

During the 14th century carols became a popular religious song form. The theme often revolved around a saint, the Christ child or the Virgin Mary at times blending two languages such as English and Latin.

By the 15th century the carol was also considered as art music. During this time elaborate arrangements were made and carols were considered an important contribution to English medieval music. The Fayrfax Manuscript, a court songbook featuring carols, was written by the end of the 15th century. The songs were written for 3 or 4 voices and themes were mostly on the Passion of Christ.

By the 16th century though the popularity of carols faltered, almost disappearing entirely if not for the revival that happened by the middle of the 18th century. Most of the carols we know today were written during this period.

Then there was the Wikipedia version which I will let you look at for yourself. Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_carol#History

While baking cookies on December 20, I heard the news on WNYC nationall public radio. John Rutter was interviewed and asked about his favorite carol. He said "In Dulce Julibo" which the announcer did not know so she asked him to sing it. He did, but he said that was his radio vocal debut and he will stick to conducting and composing. He said he used to be a boy sporano! He was interviewed because he has composed a new Christmas Carol. It is on his new CD "A Christmas Festival". This can be found on the following website along with a sample of the music. http://www.collegium.co.uk/us/ Although the Christ Church choir has sung a lot of Rutter music and I love it I heard on another interview on National Public Radio that he is a non believer. (note: I heard this on SoundCheck) Whatever, he writes or arranges beautiful music and he must get his solace from that.

Music directors in Great Britain and some in the United States were surveyed as to their favorite Christmas Carol. The list is surprising. This was another interview that I heard on WNYC Soundcheck about the poll. Here is the link if you want to listen to the program; http://www.wnyc.org/shows/soundcheck/episodes/2008/12/24

Fifty Greatest Christmas Carols

BBC Music Magazine recently polled choirmasters and choral experts on the greatest Christmas carols ever. We find out what songs made the Top 50. (It’s not “Silent Night.”)

Last Carol Standing

“In The Bleak Midwinter” is the world’s best Christmas carol, according to a poll of leading choirmasters and choral experts from the UK and US. The song came out top in a poll conducted by a BBC Music magazine poll, placing above well-known carols “Silent Night,” “Ding Dong Merrily on High” and “Once in Royal David's City.” Oliver Condy, editor of BBC Music joins us to share the results.

My new favorite carol is "Once in Royal David's City" I think it is in our hymnal. I found another site that has favorite hymns and the words and music if you want to sing along. I think it is for churches that don't have choirs and beautiful organ and great music directors like we do. Here is the link to " Once in Royal David's City" but you can search for others. http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/n/onceirdc.htm

Well this should get you started on your carol singing. Tomorrow I will be singing "Oh Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion at Grace United Church in Flemington, the new UCC church start that Christ Church supports.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

Jeannette Brown

We have a new president. A Historic President

Either way this election would have made history. If McCain had won we would have had the nation's first woman VP. But Barak Obama won and we have the nation's first African American President! I don't think this is partisan since the election is now over and the people have spoken. No matter who you voted for Obama is now your President. Obama spoke about the 106 year old woman who lived to vote for him. When she was young she could not vote because she was a woman and also more importantly because she was African American. My father was as I have said before a party of Lincoln Republican. When I found out that Obama won I prayed to my father and said I know you would have voted for a Democrat for the first time in your life. I am sure of that! My father was the one who taught me African American history even though I did not believe him because "it was not taught in school". How I wish I had listened to him at the time. He is probably saying "I told you so."
Now that this has happened I think we at Christ Church should have the "Sacred Conversation about Race" http://www.ucc.org/sacred-conversation/ that the UCC has been advocating. Because people might be saying that Obama was/is the exception. We need to look at what we think about race and let the ugly realities come out and face them.
They tell me that reading material would be Obama's books, The Audacity of Hope and others. They tell his life story. Also look at Michelle Obama's life story. They rose from working class parents to this stature. There are a lot of African Americans who can say the same, myself included.
When we had the Neighbor to Neighbor workshop at Christ Church two Sunday's ago they showed a video of children in the slums of Philadelphia. We were asked our reaction to the video and I said I could relate to the video because one child talked about being harassed by children in school for being different. This happened to me in the second grade because I was interested in learning and the kids didn't like that. We must talk!
Jeannette

HomeSharing Article Star Ledger 11/2/08

Above is the article on HomeSharing that was published in the Somerset, Hunterdon County editions of the Star Ledger on Sunday November 2. I am posting this article not because it is about me and my match but because it is a way to provide affordable housing in this time of people losing there homes because of foreclosures. Perhaps a family could avoid foreclosure if they share a room or rooms in their home. The operative word is share not rent because the seeker becomes a part of the family. If a homeowner has a big house then they might have separate quarters for the seeker. Since I am on the Board of Directors of HomeSharing we hear stories of the clients. The providers are not always poor, they may be elderly or empty nesters who want companionship. That is my story. Olinda Young my seeker came to me at the right time in my life. One year ago just before I was to have chemo. It would have been hard for me to live alone during my time of having chemo, especially as I had an adverse reaction the first day and wound up in the ER. I did not know how I was going to get home as I did not have my address list with me. I called Paul Tukey who is on my Lots of Helping Hands website and he called Olinda. All I knew is that Olinda (my angel) showed up to take me home. As a retired social worker and avid church worker, she has those caring aspects.
A full time agency like HomeSharing does not exist in Union County as the article says there is only a part time agency. Since people in Christ Church started the homeless hospitality network, this might be a project for someone to take up.
Jeannette

Our Faith Our Vote Tuesday is the day!

Here is the UCC Election Day Check list.

Election Day Checklist The end is in sight! Election Day is almost here! You've stuck with us this far - join us in our final push to prepare for the elections. Voter registration is way up! Overall, 13 battleground states have already received 3.4 million new voter registrations as of Oct. 14, 2008 compared to 1.8 million new registrations in 2004. This is exciting, but the overwhelming number of people expected to vote on November 4th is going to put a big strain on our electoral system. It is all the more important to watch for incidents of voter disenfranchisement and intimidation. The following are just a few of the disturbing incidents that have been reported so far: Voters in Philadelphia are being told that they will be denied the right to vote if they have unpaid parking tickets. FALSE! In some areas, flyers are being distributed with misinformation about elections, including such false warnings that anyone whose home is in foreclosure cannot vote. UNETHICAL! Some Georgia residents waited 6 to 8 hours to cast an early ballot, in large part due to computer glitches and an overload of the state's computerized voter verification system. DISTURBING! What can you do to insure that your vote and the votes in your community are counted? Prepare yourself! Know where your polling place is located This may seem simple but knowing your polling place will save you time and frustration. You can use this tool to find it right now. (LINK http://www.866ourvote.org/find-polling) You can also help members of your church find their polling places. Set up your computer during coffee hour so anyone can find their polling location or print out directions to local polling stations so everyone knows where to go! Know about your state's voter requirements Does your state require ID at polling places? What kind of identification is acceptable? Make sure you know what to expect in your state. Know your rights No one should be able to deny you your right to vote. Come prepared with the facts in case you encounter unexpected problems at the polling place. The UCC OFOV project has prepared a basic Voter Bill of Rights in English and Spanish for your use. Spread the knowledge with this useful bulletin insert. Include it in your Sunday worship materials so all your friends and neighbors can be prepared. If you encounter any problems call the election protection hotline for immediate assistance from trained legal professionals. 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Consider voting early Massive voter turn out is going to lead to long lines on Election Day. If you know you won't be able to make it to the polls on November 4th consider voting early or requesting an absentee ballot. To find out if your state offers early voting click here. Don't wear buttons, stickers, shirts or carry signs promoting a candidate to a polling location The laws about this vary state-to-state and county-to-county. Because there is a great deal of confusion about this among poll workers, voters and officials it is better NOT to wear campaign gear when you go to vote. Prepare Your Church! Voting can be difficult to fit in your schedule. With jobs, children and pets to care for many people have trouble finding time to cast their ballots. Help the members of your church find time to vote. Car pool Make sure everyone has a ride to the polls. Get some drivers to volunteer and find out who needs a ride. Make a sign-up sheet and divide responsibility so that everyone who needs a ride from home or work can make it to their voting place. Child Care It's hard to make time to stand in line and vote when you have kids to worry about. Open up the church nursery and offer to watch your members' kids while their parents vote. They will appreciate it more than you know! Dog Walking Offer to walk dogs so people are free to vote and free from worrying about their pets waiting in the car or at home. This is a great way to get your youth group involved in the voting process and will be appreciated by pet owners. Encourage everyone in your congregation to vote Sometimes we all just need a little reminder! Thank you for your engagement in this election! ______________________________________________________________ I can't tell you how to vote and who to vote for. All I can say is VOTE. Make sure you're friends and neighbors and even your relatives VOTE! Jeannette

The Election is 23 Days away and Counting

OK There is another UCC resource for the election. It is called "Our Faith Our Vote". This is a non partisan look at the election process including the voting process as well. No matter who we vote for we must insure that every vote counts and the election process is fair and unbiased.

As an African American and also a woman there were times in which both of us had to fight for the right to vote. Even when given the right to vote African Americans had obstacles thrown in there faces in the form of poll taxes and unfair voter registration practices.

What about our immigrant populations who have become citizens and have the right to vote. Also we need to think of our homeless population which Christ Church serves in numerous ways. Are they registered? They do have the right to vote.

Also think of our college students who are away. Did they apply for an absentee ballot or are they registered to vote in their college town? I remember the very first time I could vote for president at 22 my absentee ballot arrived from New York State on the very day it was due back in New York! I was livid! You could not fax it to anyone and one day express mail did not exist! I sent them a scathing letter!

So look at the resources available on the UCC website I have given you the link.

Sign up to host or go to a debate party on Wednesday October 15. I did that with my young neighbors. The 13 year old boy was very interested in the first debate so he came to my house for the VP debate along with his older step sisters one of who will be voting for the first time this year. Wow I would have like to vote at 18 but it was not available in my time. I was so surprised that the 13 year old wanted to discuss the election and it was not homework! How our times have changed. Or maybe it is because this is an historic election that would inspire a 13 year old African American/Hispanic boy to be interested in a presidential election.

So enjoy the debates with you teenage children. This is democracy in action!

Jeannette Brown

Public Education in New Jersey

How timely my blog was about the UCC and public education. In today's Star Ledger (October 12,2008) John Mooney the education reporter for the Star Ledger wrote about the candidates and their positions on education and how it would affect New Jersey. The title of the article is: "Both Candidates want to see Uncle Sam in the Classroom". In the article Mr Mooney compares the effect "No Child Left Behind" has on a suburban community like Chatham with the effect it has on an urban community like Newark. It is vital for Newark to help equalize the educational experience for all children.

You may check both candidates education policies in the Star Ledger or other local papers or go to their websites and read them. I am not allowed to take sides on this blog. I just wanted you to be aware of the information.

Jeannette Brown

2009 Public Education Resource

Below I have copied the information from the UCC about Public Education. The "No Child Left Behind Act" is up for re authorization. Since congress did not act on it in 2008 it will be left for the new congress under a new administration to act on it. Since I strongly beleive in quality public education for all children I think we should all seriously consider this. By have a world standard education for all students we will be able to grow our own well educated work force and not have to import them.

Public Education

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22: 35-39

As we think about whether American society embodies Jesus' teaching that we should love our neighbors as ourselves, we need to be concerned about public schools, the primary institution where we have agreed to nurture and shape God's precious children. Public schools are our largest public institution, serving nearly fifty million children.

In the national conversation about public education, our role in the church is special. We are concerned about our schools as an ethical and public policy matter. How do they embody attitudes about race and poverty, power and privilege, and cultural dominance and marginalization, and how do disparities in public investment reflect these attitudes?

The United Church of Christ has spoken prophetically to name poverty and racism as among the primary causes of injustice in our nation's schools. General Synod 15 warned: "While children from many areas have comfortable schools with all the educational trimmings, poor and ethnic minority children often face overcrowded and deteriorated facilities, and a lack of enrichment programs or modern technology." General Synod 18 cautioned: "Because the poor and their children are disproportionately people of color, the educational inequities in our public schools reinforce the racial/ethnic injustices of our society." General Synod 23 proclaimed public school support - and advocacy for the same - as one of the "foremost civil rights issues in the twenty-first century." General Synod 25 called all settings of the UCC to do justice and promote the common good by strengthening support for public institutions and providing "opportunity for every child in well-funded, high quality public schools."

Featured Resource for October 2008

Justice and Witness Ministries' annual beginning-of-school resource, the 2009 Message on Public Education, lifts up the importance of schools to form each whole child, created in the image of God, in contrast to the test-and-punish philosophy of the federal education law, No Child Left Behind, that has dangerously narrowed the curriculum in schools serving America's poorest children. A second key article challenges us to evaluate justice in charter schools according to values of access, equity, and public purpose. If you would like additional printed copies for discussion in your congregation, please contact Jan Resseger (216-736-3711) or ressegerj@ucc.org.

"Tyranny of the Test: One Year as a Kaplan Coach in the Public Schools" is Jeremy Miller's story of his role as a Supplemental Education Services tutor under the No Child Left Behind Act. Miller exposes the flaws of redirecting public tax money that could have been spent to strengthen public school staffing and programming to Kaplan, a private contractor providing NCLB-mandated services to schools labeled "failing" under the federal law. The story contains shocking statistics about the role of private contracting and profit: "The failure of schools serving low-income students has been a windfall for the testing industry. Title I funds earmarked for test tutoring increased by 45 percent during the first four years of NCLB, from $1.75 billion in 2001 to $2.55 billion in 2005. With the ever growing stream of funding flowing through the nation's schools, the number of supplemental-service providers nationwide has exploded... In 2003, Kaplan hired former NYC Chancellor of Education Harold Levy as an executive vice president and general counsel, and in 2006 relocated its headquarters for Kaplan K12, the division of the company that works in schools, from Midtown Manhattan to luxury offices downtown. According to Crain's, the company made the move 'to be closer to the New York City Department of Education.'"

Action Needed Now

The reauthorization of NCLB will now drag into 2009. Please tell your Senators and Representatives that you remain very concerned. Send the letter to Senators and Congressional Representatives at our TakeAction page. Please send the letter as-is or as you edit it, and urge others to do so.

Jeannette Brown

Are you able to refrain from violent TV — just for one week?

The United Church of Christ and many other churches are declaring a fast from viewing violent TV for one week starting October 12 -18.
Starting this Sunday, UCC members are pledging to refrain from watching violence as entertainment. Will you join us?

Sponsored by the UCC and Rainbow/PUSH, the Media Violence Fast is encouraging participants to take a stand against violent media by making a conscious decision not to watch it. We are asking people to seek other forms of programming and intellectual stimulation, and to reflect on what it means to purposefully distance oneself from violence as entertainment.

As a participant, you will receive a daily e-mail devotion/meditation for use individually or with family members or faith groups. You will also be encouraged to offer your own reflections and feedback in a group forum.

Just consider this: Before reaching the age of 18, the average U.S. child will witness 200,000 acts of violence on television, including 40,000 murders. The National Television Violence Survey has found that 60 percent of TV shows contain violence.

This Media Violence Fast is not about censorship. Instead, this is an opportunity to pause and consider how the saturation of violence on our TV screens also affects our spiritual lives, our relationships with others, how we see the world and how we promote peace as a religious value, starting with our remote controls.

Starting Sunday, I am changing the channel. Will you give it a try too?

The above was written by The Rev. J. Bennett Guess
Executive Director, OC, Inc
United Church of Christ

Note: This refraining from media violence does not include the last Presidential Debate on October 15 unless you think that will be violent! (:-)

Jeannette Brown

Give Me Jesus and other spirituals

"Give Me Jesus" is the title of the spiritual that the Christ Church Choir sang Sunday May 25. It is a new spiritual to me so I decided to do some research on the back ground of the spiritual. Here is part of what I found:

Give Me Jesus

The spiritual often elects Jesus as the slave’s closest and most reliable friend. He is coming in person to gather up his friends and

take them to heaven. Give Me Jesus shows a touching faith in that relationship.

“You may have all this world. Give me Jesus”.

There are two different versions of this spiritual. this comes from : http://www.negrospirituals.com/history.htm

The choir sang the second version.

GIVE ME JESUS (Second version)

---

I heard my mother say
I heard my mother say
I heard my mother say
« Give me Jesus »

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus
You may have all this world
Give me Jesus

At dark midnight, was my cry
Dark midnight was my cry
Dark midnight was my cry
“Give me Jesus”

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus

And when I come to die
And when I come to die
And when I come to die
Give me Jes(us)

The first version is:

GIVE ME JESUS (First version)

---

Oh when I come to die
Oh when I come to die
Oh when I come to die
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus

I heard my mother say
I heard my mother say
I heard my mother say
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus

Dark midnight was my cry
Dark midnight was my cry
Dark midnight was my cry
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus

In the morning when I rise
In the morning when I rise
In the morning when I rise
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus

I heard the mourner say
I heard the mourner say
I heard the mourner say
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Susan Logan sang:
"Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen"

NOBODY KNOWS DE TROUBLE I’VE SEEN

---

Nobody knows de trouble I’ve seen
Nobody knows de trouble but Jesus
Nobody knows de trouble I’ve seen
Glory Hallelujah!

Sometimes I’m up, sometimes I’m down
Oh, yes, Lord
Sometimes I’m almost to de groun’
Oh, yes, Lord

Although you see me goin’ ‘long so
Oh, yes, Lord
I have my trials here below
Oh, yes, Lord

If you get there before I do
Oh, yes, Lord
Tell all-a my friends I’m coming too
Oh, yes, Lord


Here is the interpretation by Joe Carter http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/joecarter/gallery.shtml

Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen"
The authors of most spirituals are unknown. Various tales, often apocryphal, account for the origins of many songs. One legend has it that upon emancipation, newly freed slaves gathered on a South Carolina island were awaiting promised land grants from the government. "It was a great, wonderful day," says Carter. But when a government agent informed the crowd that no grants were forthcoming, one woman spontaneously began singing this song, making it up as she went.

I usually hum the music that we have sung all week, this week it is "Give Me Jesus". For more information go to the on line resources.
Jeannette Brown

Muhlenberg Hospital Plainfield NJ

Today in church the plight of the people of Plainfield was discussed because of the pending closing of Mulenberg Hospital. The closing was discussed at the New Jersey Association meeting and a letter was generated and sent to the state.
I figured that you might want some background information about the hospital and its closing.
The first article that I found about the closing was in the Star Ledger Saturday February 23, 2008, 4:15 PM "Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center shutting its doors" : http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/02/muhlenberg_regional_medical_ce.html
The article begins; "Faced with mounting deficits caused mainly by insufficient state aid to cover all its uninsured patients, officials at Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center in Plainfield plan to close the 130-year-old facility later this year." It also said it would temporarily maintain the emergency room service.
The next article is also from the Star Ledger : "500 protest closing of Muhlenberg hospital in Plainfield " Saturday March 15, 2008, 5:02 PM http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/03/500_protest_closing_of_muhlenb.html
That was the second held that month in protest of the hospital's closing. Organizer Lawrence Hamm of the People's of Organization for Progress said the group planed a third rally on April 5 in Trenton.
There is a complete blog about the closing of the hospital that will tell you more than you want to know about the closing. "Save Muhlenberg" http://savemuhlenberg.blogspot.com/2008/03/closings-of-hospitals-such-as.html
For information about the "current" services of the hospital and what would be lost I refer you to the hospital website: http://www.muhlenberg.com/muhlenberg-regional/. There is also information about the Muhlenberg Foundation on that webpage.
I hope this helps.
Jeannette Brown