General Chat

I don't think I know the hymn that your daughter and her friend both had at their weddings John, but The Old rugged cross was one of my Dad's favourites, I can still hear him singing it in church, he had a powerful voice. And I always loved Monty Sunshine playing it in the Chris Barber band!

I love the old traditional hymns myself. Isaac Watts, for example. "When I survey the wondrous Cross" is one of his. And some of the 19th century - Kenneth Horne (Round the Horne) had a father who served as a clerk in the C of E. He wrote "Sing we the King who is coming to reign"

And I love the American revival hymns, as I think we all do. And many of the modern ones are good, well known and are getting very popular. Daughter and her friend both got married in 2011 and both asked the Vicar for "Keep me travelling along with you" and all the young people at both ceremonies sang that lustily and words are very fitting. :-D

I hadn't a clue Ann so googled to find out. Yes, John was right on that.


I was brought up on Salvation songs - complete with tambourines - and now look at me.....a staid old Anglican.... :-D :-D



Sankey and Moody................that brings back memories.


I quite like some of the more modern hymns too.


It's amazing how many different hymn books there are but there's always a hymn for every occasion :-D

That is one of my favourite hymns John, memories of Dr Billy Graham in the 50s. Yes, we used to sing the Sankey hymns too so I am sure you are right.

Ann. I think that would be Charlie Alexander, an American born abt 1860 who was a friend of Sankey and Moody. Very catchy songs with choruses for more than one voice.

My favourite American hymnwriter of that period was Fanny Crosby (1820-1915). Blind almost all her life, she wrote hymns like "To God be the glory, great things he has done". With fantastic choruses. :-D :-D

My Mum used to have a hymn book The Alexander hymn book, would that have been the same Mrs Alexander? they were the sort of hymns always chosen for the 'Fellowship Hours' after church (Baptist) on Sunday evenings when all the youth used to stay and sing along.

Some of the old well known hymns have amazing stories behind them.

Abide with me - was written by a clergyman who suffered from TB. He wrote it shortly before he died at the age of 54.


I remember the name of Mrs Alexander as a hymn writer so how nice to hear of someone who had a connection to her.



This morning we had the nativity. Shepherds in dressing gowns and angels in boots........... :-D :-D


When it came time to share the Peace of the Lord (a handshake offered in reconciliation), one of the lads aged about 13, grinned at me, raised his hand in the Star Wars configuration and said "Live long and prosper". :-D



Just wondered if anyone else has been to a nativity today? I love to hear about the different traditions......

Joy. I had spotted that lovely thread and had a quick look through.

You have words of Once in Royal David's City near the beginning. The hymwriter was a Mrs Alexander. In my old church in Northamptonshire, a lovely lady (one of those quiet, gentle Christians who form the bedrock of a local church) came originally from N Ireland.

She will be close to 90 now. Her grandmother was in Mrs Alexander's Sunday School. Mrs Alexander wrote these hymns ("All Things Bright and Beautiful" was another) to teach her children what the Creeds actually meant. She was a very humble lady. Her husband eventually became a "Most Rev" and was Anglican Primate of All Ireland. :-D :-D

Paula+ Merry Christmas to you. :-D :-D

I think it is a time to think of our loved ones, yes. It can bring back lovely memories. My children are ancient now, but I so remember their excitement after Santa had been. Running into our bedroom and jumping all over us so our early morning cup of tea redecorated the bedroom.

Santa that called at our house was slim and curvy and very attractive. This old grumpy bloke used to help her a bit ;-)

Re your first sentence, that is why I started http://www.genesreunited.co.za/boards/board/general_chat/thread/979039
five years ago.

CarolP Just to say I think that was beautifully put, thank you. :-)

I do love Christmas, but also feel sad as so many of my loved ones are no longer here to share it. Life goes on and I have so many happy memories, but just miss them so much.

Merry Christmas John :-)

Sorry, Chris and Maggie. If any consolation, I get names of children mixed up as well :-D :-D

Leni. Many thanks. And wish you a very happy Christmas :-D :-D

I believe you have addressed last post to wrong person.

You really should be careful of all that you type.

Thanks for the thread John.

I wish everyone many blessings at this holy time.

Leni

Maggie (Edit). Christmas Time is Advent from 2nd Dec till 24th. Then I would say it included the next 12 days of Christmas till Epiphany. I would not agree with Tesco that it starts in September and ends in February.

I agree with what you are saying, but am contrasting that with what is seen on the link from Cynthia - which shows almost everybody joining in with lots of smiles everywhere.

The nearest Muslim festival this year sees to be Ashura on 24 Nov. And Hannukah is from 8th Dec to 16th Dec, I believe. So finishes today, though Jewish friends will now be extending that till 6th January to empathise with Christian friends.

Missed out on my lovely Eid and Divali snacks this year. Too late now :-( :-( :-(

I totally agree with your last sentance Carol. I KNOW that my end will be much easier in the belief that I will once again be with those that I have loved and who have loved me. I remember that my Granny believed this totally, and that it gave her immense comfort at the end of her life, and to feel that she was comforted at a rather difficult end gave us all enormous comfort and strength too, so I don't care what anyone says, that has to be a good thing.

John,
I don't mean to be contentious, but can't really let this piece of mis-information go by unchallenged.
I refer to your post on page 1 where you state:

"I do think the modern Christmas is very inclusive. It brings together Eid and Divali and Hannukah and lots of old pagan images as well".

That statement is a bit presumptious, and assumes every other religion wants to be included!!

What (in reality) happens is, that occasionally Divali & Eid are around about Christmas time (Eid was last year). This is pure coincidence, as they don't follow the same calender as the Christian church, and these celebrations are moveable..
.
This year Divali was in November, Eid in October Hannukah started on December 6th, and ends today. Not exactly at Christmas time, were they?

Carol Wherever you are preaching next, I want to be in the congregation. :-D :-D

Not being sarky at all. I think that was an absolutely lovely post and addresses all of us - wherever we think we stand with God this Christmas time. :-D

We all believe in different ways & in different things & our faith is our own.
I was brought up with the adage ‘Do as you would be done by, defend others as you would hope they would defend you’. Though at times I have been disappointed by people I loved &/or respected, this has resulted it many firm friendships.
There have been times in my life when my faith in others has proved to be wrong, my faith in a god tested to the limit, but that belief remains.
All over the world there are people with strong beliefs, these religions differ in many ways like our languages, but whatever we may call these beings I believe they are the same one. Whether you believe we are reincarnated to improve ourselves, join the ones who have gone before us/pass into a third dimension, or are taken back into Mother Earth, it comes down to a belief that there is a future after death.
There will always be ‘Doubting Thomas’s’, after all it took our ancestors many years to believe that the world was not flat & you could not fall off of the edges!
The future will tell, at the end we will all know the truth, but I know that that end will be easier believing that I go to join the rest of my family.