The One True Christmas Song

I know that most of you probably have a favorite Christmas Song. My favorite Christmas song is also one of my favorite anytime songs. Anyone who's ever spent any time around me in December (and heard me begging the chorister or choir director to sing my song just one more time!!) already knows what it is. But for those of you who don't know, I'll tell you. It's

Angels We Have Heard on High.

(you can listen to two of my favorite versions here
while you read more about my song!)

I just love, love, love this song.

The words are great. But what I really love is the music — especially the music of the chorus. I love the moving parts and the way the harmonies work together to make such a rich sound. I really love it.

If you're not persuaded yet, I will tell you about one of my favorite Christmas CD's. It's a compilation cd. Twenty different versions of "Angels We Have Heard on High." Seriously. It's got classical guitar Angels, harpsichord Angels, calypso Angels, MoTab Angels, and acapella Angels. All different versions, all excellent.

One thing that is great about having a favorite Christmas song is that it really becomes a part of your life. I have so many memories wrapped up in this song now that hearing it brings not only the auditory pleasure of the moment, but also all of the warm & fuzzy feelings of times gone by.

Here (in chronological order) are some of my favorite Angels memories:

—Caroling with the church youth group and "singing" Angels using kazoos.

—Caroling with the Rogersons and using kazoos, and singing Angels at every house.

—Going to homemaking/enrichment on my birthday, and hearing the string quartet that played during dinner play Angels, and then segue into a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday. (Talk about being surprised!)

—Singing Angels in the hot tub late one night at the beach — in four part harmony.

—Ending the choir program last year with an amazing arrangement; the organ, two people on piano, congregation, and the choir singing a descant. It just about raised the roof.
And made me cry. (from happiness.)

—Listening to an acapella version 6 times in a row last week while I was alone in the car. Singing along with a different part each time.

—Listening to the new Christmas CD that Ken just gave me because it had Christina Aguilera singing Angels on it. Watching Russ pretend to sing like Christina Aguilera.

—Decorating the tree this morning (we're not usually this late!) and realizing that in the background Angels was playing — my own version, arranged for me by a talented friend.

Tonight as we finish up our Christmas Eve celebration (a big deal at our house) we will end with a rousing rendition of Angels. And then we'll sing it again this weekend when Cindy Lynn and Mahon get here. And probably a few more times after that. And I will love it every time.

~In Excelsis Deo~

P.S. In case you've ever wondered, "In excelsis Deo" actually means "Glory to God in the highest." So it's like you're singing "Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains." Only better. ;)

P.P.S. The first version that you've listened to is my friend's arrangement. If you haven't gotten to the acapella version yet, you need to keep listening. It's from the group Voice Male, and it is really amazing!