I could see the high treble voice soar up to the vaulted cathedral roof, so agonisingly sweet the tears stung my eyes and I looked around for my brother or my Dad, knowing their voices would have caught in their throats too…
In the bleak mid-winter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone…
Of course, they are not here, one in Heaven and the other in the Swaziland bushveld, (which is near there). But they sent a butterfly angel which floated by as if listening…
Hark the herald angels sing…
More angelic trebles. I think I will be alright; so long as someone doesn’t sing Danny Boy – fortunately, it’s not quite the season. That maudlin, sentimental ditty catches me every time: such a simple declaration of love.
Just to top it off, here is a recording of Away in a manger, which really seized me up and dampened my cheeks. Somehow this child’s prayer has always signified much of God’s love to me.
Away in a manger
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay
The cattle are lowing
The Baby awakes
A little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
‘Til morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there
Then there was the saintly King Wenceslas and his devoted page:
Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger,
Fails my heart I know not how, I can go no longer…
Mark my footsteps good my page, treads’t thou in them boldly
Thee shall find the winter’s rage freeze thy blood less coldly
There’s a message there.
May you all be blessed by the love of loved ones and happy memories of Christmastime.
sillysocksonfriday 