Picture this, outside Bethlehem sheep scattered around, the shepherds settled in for another quiet night, as they watched their flocks. Then, in a divine moment, God bursts into the night, Angels appear singing songs and speaking of the Savior’s birth. Suddenly the shepherd’s ordinary lives were transformed-becoming part of a story that has lived for thousands of years.
“Angels We Have Heard On High” reminds us of this amazing night. This beautiful Christmas carol helps us experience a taste of what the Angel chorus might have sounded like as they proclaimed the Savior’s birth. The words are based on a traditional French carol translated, (Angels in our countryside) This carol was composed by an unknown author in France, but has had many adjustments including its most common English version that was translated in 1862 by James Chadwick. (A roman Catholic Bishop in Northeast England) The most memorable feature is it's chorus: Gloria in Excelsis Deo! Latin for "Glory to God in the highest"
Angels we have on heard high
Sweetly singing ore the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Christ whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord the newborn King
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
See him in a manger laid
Whom the choirs of angels praise
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raise
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
The "Italian Sesame Seed Cookies" is also a cookie that reminds me of little Italian bread rolls. The sesame seeds add to the hint of anise flavor in this delightful small cookie. What a way to celebrate the Christmas season! Buon Natale everyone!
“Italian Sesame Seed Cookies”
4 cups of flour
1 cup of sugar
1 tablespoon of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of Crisco Solid
2 eggs
1/2 cup of milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 teaspoon of anise extract
Sesame seeds
Directions:
Till Next Time………………………………................
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Hi Dottie , What a wonderful eleven days this has been , one cannot pick out the day that they like best , they all are wonderful ans so well written , thank you for sharing and have a blessed day :).
ReplyDeleteDear Nee,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your wonderful words of joy and for stopping by. This has been a pleasure to write the 12 Days of Christmas Music. The reason I write is for everyone to enjoy my stories and recipes, and that is what you have done, so I have succeeded.
You also Nee have a wonderful and blessed day...Dottie :)
Have I congratulated you on the amazing task you have presented with your Twelve Days of Christmas posts, Dottie?
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable but yet, as such a momentous time to truly believe:)
Angels We Have Heard On High is one of the most glorious hymns I love to hear at Midnight Mass. Last year when I was in Idaho for Christmas and we took the kids to Midnight Mass, my grandson, Noah, first heard this hymn. He was singing it for the remainder of the days I was there and indeed many months afterward according to my daughter:)
Now it must be time to introduce him to Italian Sesame Seed Cookies which I haven't baked in ages:)
Thank you so much for sharing, Dottie. If you have written me email in the last couple of days, I'm sure I haven't seen it yet because I haven't checked my email in days!!!
Marion and I both wish You and Yours a Blessed and Joyous Christmas Dottie, just in case I don't make it back tomorrow but I WILL try:)
Dear Louise,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your beautiful words. I tried to give everyone a memory, a recipe, and a song/carol, to put everyone in the spirit of Christmas. I think I have succeeded!
I came up with this idea in the summer time, and started to prepare from then. Even though you prepare this is still so much to be worked on before I post. I truly enjoyed sharing with all of my friends, family, and readers.
I agree with you about Angels we have Heard on High, it is one of the most beautiful carols we have. That is so cute about your grandson singing the song. It is very impressive, so I can see why he would love that. I thought as we got closer to Christmas Eve and the day, it will be more religious. Tomorrow is the last day before Christmas Day and my carol will be to me the one that exemplifies Christmas to me. No hints yet, you will have to see...
I am sorry Louise I have not written you an email, just keeping up with your comments and your posts to your blog. It is a busy time, I am going from one thing to another. I also have been trying to keep up with Nee, Catherine, Alida, Christina, and your blog.
Thanks Louise, I feel the same towards you, just in case we miss each other Have a Blessed Christmas to you, your family, and of course Marion. You have been a very special person to me, and my wish is that you enjoy and have a happy day! God Bless US All! Dottie :)