Best Spiritual Posts: Christmas Music: Susan Boyle Sings "Miracle Hymn" From Movie "The Christmas Candle"

Best Spiritual Posts: Christmas Music: Susan Boyle Sings "Miracle Hymn" From Movie "The Christmas Candle": From Denny:  The Christmas season is a time for reflection upon what we thought was the impossible to even dare to dream entering the realm of the possible and becoming our new reality.  We call that a miracle because it is so very rare!  If ever there was a story to illustrate the impossible becoming the possible it's the story of singer Susan Boyle's meteoric rise to fame.  She has recently been diagnosed with autism as an adult.  While it's been a rocky road for her she has been creating her life balance and is doing well.

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Poems From A Spiritual Heart: Snowing The Perfect Balance

Poems From A Spiritual Heart: Snowing The Perfect Balance: From Denny: The morning was so very perfect, enjoying the falling snow, cuddling into the silence snow brings, that it brought out a snow poem that I combined with the idea of how our perceptions affect our sense of Time.

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LOVE X 7 puts you in a good mood instantly

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Music: Amazing Grace By Hayley Westenra

Image via Wikipedia

From Denny:  It's always refreshing to see what the newest generation does with a traditional standard, especially the Christian ones.  Hayley Westenra performs her wonderful rendition of a difficult song to sing, both emotionally and artistically.

(Check out the link to her name for an extensive biography over at Wikipedia.)

Music: Oh, Rejoice By Hillsong

From Denny:  While my husband was dashing into a convenience store to pick up a few items I was waiting in the car, seeking on the radio stations.  I landed on one talk show where a man was discussing the Christmas season shopping frenzy - and often violence - that breaks out when people fight for the best deals.

It's like the Christmas holiday season has been reduced down to this greedy fever pitch shopping season.  Big Business has clearly hijacked what should be a holy season.  The essayist continued saying how business changes their cashier greeting (Walmart) to try and sound like they are dispensing goodwill as if that will suddenly cement a good relationship with the customer, making up for the rest of the year.

Well, it should be a goodwill season.  During this time of year, he said, you often see strangers relax a little and make more of an effort.  But here's the real question, Did Jesus really come just to make our December's better or did He come to make our entire lives better?

Then the program featured this song and I smiled as my husband put the groceries in the car and we drove back home listening to the reason for the season.

Music: Mary, Did You Know? By Clay Aiken

When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.

From Denny: I still remember the first time I heard this song and it sure sent chills up my spine. It was Kathy Matea who sang it. Her wonderful video is "disabled by request" probably for the holiday season to drive sales.

This song is one of those songs that sticks in your mind and heart. It speaks to the wonder of what it must have been like to be the mother of Jesus. Legend has it that Mary and Joseph were both Essenes who had been prepared for this unusual task to parent a truly old soul. What an understatement.

The legends also tell that the Essenes had waited for centuries for this moment. How did they prepare? The legend goes that the Essenes carefully chose members of the line of King David as it was believed they carried the spiritual anointing. Every year young maidens ascended the stairs to where an angel visited who would make the choice. One year it was Mary who was chosen by the hand of God - and the powerful anointing descended upon her, never to leave. She knew her possible destiny from a young age and was mentally ready to assume her role for humanity. This song speaks to the wonder of what Mary may have felt and thought during the time of her pregnancy. We may never know her private thoughts as there is yet to be seen any historical record found - but the musicians and songwriters sure can speculate.







More Music videos:

Music Video: You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

Music Video: The Prayer by Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Charlotte Church

Music Video: In The Arms Of The Angel by Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban

Music Video: O Holy Night by Celine Dion

Music Video: Note to God by David Foster and Charice

Music Video: The Christmas Shoes

Music Video: Where Are You Christmas? by Faith Hill



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Music: O Holy Night by Celine Dion

When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.

From Denny: When the weather turns chilly, the fire is roaring and the night grows dark and still, somehow it sets the stage for a more traditional Christmas song, one with reverence. This rendition by Celine Dion fits that special niche.







More Music videos:

Music Video: You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

Music Video: The Prayer by Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Charlotte Church

Music Video: In The Arms Of The Angel by Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban

Music Video: Note to God by David Foster and Charice

Music Video: The Christmas Shoes

Music Video: Where Are You Christmas? by Faith Hill

Music Video: Mary, Did You Know? By Clay Aiken




* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - helping homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  Thank you to all those who are supporting this cause.  You rock!

Subscribe in a reader to A Christmas Post or Subscribe by Email

* Check out Dennys News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food - a place where all my other 20 blogs link so you can choose from among the latest posts all in one place.  A free to read online newspaper from independent journalist blogger Denny Lyon. * 

*** Check out Holiday Recipes From Dennys Food and Recipes

Music: In The Arms Of The Angel by Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban

When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.

From Denny: Here is an unlikely vocal pairing that just plain works. I enjoy both artists, each for difference reasons.

Music: Where Are You Christmas? by Faith Hill

When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.

From Denny: Here's a special lady who really translates the joy of the holiday season so strongly you are inspired.






More Music videos:

Music Video: You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

Music Video: The Prayer by Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Charlotte Church

Music Video: In The Arms Of The Angel by Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban

Music Video: O Holy Night by Celine Dion

Music Video: Note to God by David Foster and Charice

Music Video: The Christmas Shoes

Music Video: Mary, Did You Know? By Clay Aiken



* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - helping homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  Thank you to all those who are supporting this cause.  You rock!

Subscribe in a reader to A Christmas Post or Subscribe by Email

* Check out Dennys News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food - a place where all my other 20 blogs link so you can choose from among the latest posts all in one place.  A free to read online newspaper from independent journalist blogger Denny Lyon. * 

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Music: The Prayer by Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Charlotte Church

When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.

From Denny: It was fun to see the difference of the pop nuanced version of the song versus two operatic singers performing. I always like to see a pop singer hold their own with the powerfully trained voices of opera folks. Celine Dion does a beautiful job here. Josh Groban is always one to take on a challenge outside his usual sphere of experience to stretch his abilities to new heights. He is also a songwriter and pianist. He is stuffed full of talent.

This is the more pop interpretation of the song with Celine Dion:

Music: Note to God by David Foster and Charice

When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.

Here are the lyrics to the song written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster. This version is sung by Filipina pop singer Charice:

Note To God

If I wrote a note to God
I would speak whats in my soul
I’d ask for all the hate to be swept away
For love to overflow

If I wrote a note to God
I’d pour my heart out on each page
I’d ask for war to end
For peace to mend this world
I’d say, I’d say, I’d say

Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love cause love is over due
And it seems like so much is goin wrong
On this road…… we’re on

If I wrote a note to God
I’d say please help us find our way
End all the bitterness
Put some tenderness in our hearts
And I’d say, I’d say, I’d say

Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love cause love is over due
And it looks like we haven’t got a clue
Need some help from you
Grant us the faith to carry on
Give us hope when it seems all hope is gone
Cause it seems like so much is goin wrong
On this road we’re on

No, no no no
We can’t do this on our own
So

Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love cause love is over due
And it looks like we haven’t got a clue
Need some help from you
Grant us the faith to carry on
Give us hope when it seems all hope is gone
Cause it seems like so much is goin wrong
On this road we’re on

No, no no no
We can’t do this on our own
So, So

If I wrote a note to God


This version is as she sung it on The Oprah Winfrey Show

Music: You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.

From Denny: This year I thought I'd add more music to this blog, music that inspires and music that soothes when we need it from a hectic day or a time of transition. Whether it's changing jobs, a new member of the family or the loss of a loved one it helps to sit back, relax and listen to some wonderful music to get us back into balance.

In interview it's interesting that recording artist Josh Groban talked about how he has always been attracted to the sad and tragic songs. He said this song just somehow appealed to him as inpiration, a nice departure from his usual choice. He says he is the happier for it too.

Christmas Story: Christmas Day in the Morning

JOYEUX NOËL in Portugal Photo by Rui Omelas @ flickr

*** A story about how Love alone could awaken Love. And he could give the gift again and again...

From Denny: As an American school kid living in Taiwan I was introduced to the author Pearl S. Buck. She grew up as a Christian missionary kid in mainland China during the 1930's and was one of the very first Westerners to bridge the cultural gap between China and the West in understanding. Buck wrote a lot of stories, recommended by both the local Taiwanese and the Christian missionaries, and I read them all back then since there was no TV in English. I read a lot of books, even took to reading the Encyclopedias when I ran out of material! :)

While this author may be considered simplistic and out of fashion at the moment, she still deserves a read in my mind. Why? One of the subtle cultural nuances that crept into her writing was the Chinese sentence structure: extreme sheer simplicity. Sometimes, later generations who have not lived abroad fail to pick up those intense subtleties and so write off her writing, failing to realize they are missing an opportunity to get inside the head of Chinese culture by reading about the smallest things in Life written in a simple way.

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Jesus Christ is LOVE

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Music: The Christmas Shoes

When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.

From Denny: This Christmas story is a real tear jerker so pull out the tissues to dab your eyes. It's even more so when you think of friends and family who have passed away from cancer during the holiday season. This story also tells of the strong spirit of giving from a little child that so inspires us all. Sometimes, as an adult we need to be reminded of the simple things and prioritize what truly matters. It's easy to get side-tracked with responsibilities, problems that arise and the hectic schedule of life. A song like this brings us back to the core importance of Life: loving unconditionally. This version is performed by Newsong.








More Music videos:

Music Video: You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

Music Video: The Prayer by Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Charlotte Church

Music Video: In The Arms Of The Angel by Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban

Music Video: O Holy Night by Celine Dion

Music Video: Note to God by David Foster and Charice

Music Video: Where Are You Christmas? by Faith Hill

Music Video: Mary, Did You Know? By Clay Aiken




* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - helping homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  Thank you to all those who are supporting this cause.  You rock!

Subscribe in a reader to A Christmas Post or Subscribe by Email

* Check out Dennys News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food - a place where all my other 20 blogs link so you can choose from among the latest posts all in one place.  A free to read online newspaper from independent journalist blogger Denny Lyon. * 

*** Check out Holiday Recipes From Dennys Food and Recipes

Music: What Child Is This? By John Michael Talbot

From Denny: John Michael Talbot is a monastic of the Brothers and Sisters Charity. I first heard of him years ago when he had taken a vow of silence for a year but was allowed to perform his music.

His voice has a soothing peaceful quality.  He has certainly studied his share of the world's religions and it is that knowledge and understanding that brings a richness to his music.

From his album, "The Birth Of Jesus" recorded with the National Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra of London, the Ambrosian Men's Choir, and the Junior Boys Choir of Desborough School.

(Check out the link to his name to learn more about him.)