“O Holy Night” is one of the most beloved Christmas songs of all time. Its fascinating story began in France, yet eventually spread around the world. In 1847, Placide Cappeau, a commissioner of wines in a small French village, and a known poet, was asked by his parish priest to write a poem for their Christmas mass. When he finished “Cantique de Noel,” Cappeau turned to his friend Adolphe Charles Adams to compose music for it. The song was sung at Christmas Eve mass. Initially, “O Holy Night” was widely loved throughout France and made its way into many Catholic…
Long-stemmed red roses are nearly synonymous with Valentine’s Day and portray the language of deepest love. It’s an interesting tradition that dates back to 17th century Sweden when a new kind of art known as the “language of flowers” was sweeping across Europe. It focused on communicating using flowers only and no words. Lists of flowers and their meanings spread far and wide as more and more people embraced the fad. For example, giving someone a yellow carnation meant they disappointed you. A purple hyacinth indicated you’re sorry and were asking forgiveness. In new or seasoned relationships, giving lavender roses…
At the college I attended, in addition to completing required courses in your major—mine being English—students also submitted a portfolio of their best work, which after the approval of an academic Board of professors qualified them for graduation. Tucked inside my portfolio, I still have an orange 3 x 5 card on which one of my professors wrote: A beautiful body of work—I’m proud of you and feel lucky to be one of your readers. . . . I hope you continue writing and try to start publishing. You have talent, and heart, and wonderful wit; and equally important, you…
When Jesus is central in our hearts; when He is our First Love; when He is leading us and we are following Him—then, and only then—we have unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. When I am so in love with Jesus Christ, as a bride loves her husband, I enjoy sweet fellowship with others in the Body of Christ who are similarly love-struck. We may have differences in our understanding of Scripture, but when we look to Jesus, the Living Truth, we experience harmony with one another. We may have different ways of worshipping, but it is the…
Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade, To write the love of God above, Would drain the ocean dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky. This beautiful expression of God’s love from the hymn “The Love of God” speaks of the measureless immensity of His love toward us. It’s a love that has no fear in it. A love that never fails. A love that endures forever. God assures us…
