Thursday, December 23, 2010

Angels We Have Heard On High




I guess a lot of people have a favorite Christmas song. I like so many of the Christmas Carols, but for me, "Angels We Have Heard On High" is my all-time favorite (and 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel' is my favorite Advent song). I've loved these songs since I was a little girl and first heard them sung by the choir at Mass.


I've read that the 'Angel's Hymn' as it was called is the oldest Nativity hymn (other than The Magnificat, Mary's song of praise to God). There are other secular Christmas songs that are older (and they stem from winter solstice celebrations), but this is the oldest religious themed hymn for Christmas. I'm not sure if that is true or not, but that's what I've read.


The most beautiful rendition I ever heard of 'Angels' was when I was in my Freshman Year of high school, and Patricia Adamzyk started singing it at her desk. The teacher had left the room, we were all 'on our honor' and supposed to be quietly working, but of course all the girls were chattering away, when all of a sudden Patricia broke into "Angels We Have Heard On High", and all the girls got quiet, listening to Patricia's beautiful voice, and we all joined in at the "Gloria". The nun walked back into the room while Patricia was singing, and she just smiled and went to her desk and took a seat and waited for Patricia to finish before she continued with her lesson. It was one of those sweet, spontaneous moments, and it's a sweet memory that has stayed with me all these years.





This next image is exactly what comes to my mind when I hear:
"Angels, we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains..."



Do you have a favorite Christmas Carol? I'd love to hear about it!

5 comments:

  1. Love your story, your pictures and your favorite song, mine is Oh Holy Night, although I love them all I remember my mother singing this one, Merry Christmas sweet friend...Hugs

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  2. I don't think I will ever hear Angels We Have Heard On High quite the same way again. What a sweet memory and how wonderful that the nun let the spirit flow that day....even though most teachers would not :)

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  3. It is such a beautiful song!!! But I can't pick one...I LOVE ALL CHRISTMAS SONGS!!!!! This is my favorite time of year!!! And so, on that note :-)), let me say, "Merry Christmas, dearest Eileen!!!" Just wanted to stop by to send you my love on this Christmas eve!! ~Janine xoxo

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  4. Oh, Eileen! Those are two of my favorite hymns as well, and I have to add, "O Come All Ye Faithful" to the mix. I love both the English and the Latin versions! What a wonderful image to have of that song, though!

    I have been ill, but I wanted to check in with you and some of my blogging friends as I am able to let you know I am thinking of you and wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! I hope that the Lord especially blesses your family this holiday season and in the year to come just as you are a blessing in my life.

    Love you...

    Merry Christmas!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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