Written by Mary Whittier Johansen from the Village Church.
When I was ten years old, I received a beautiful hardbound, illustrated book, titled Sing for Christmas. It was a gift from my cousin, Edwin McNeil and his wife. I was ready and eager to play and sing of silent nights, angels, shepherds and joy. But O Holy Night was written with five flats, and the vocal music was separated from the accompaniment. That carol became a favorite when our daughters could sing, and I could play in five flats. Years later, my oldest granddaughter, Anna did the honors. She sang I Know That My Redeemer Liveth at her grandfather’s celebration of life. Later she sang The Lord’s Prayer when Jack Baca performed my marriage to Fred Johansen at La Costa Glen. Anna really has the voice of an angel. Now I am blessed with six great grandchildren. Imagine my surprise this October when my snail mail included a charming Christmas card, O Holy Night. Joan, age six, mailed it to me. I am GG, great grandmother. Joan prints her name and mine and draws hearts. She likes to receive my postcards and letters, and I am thrilled she writes to me. My mother, also Anna, had eight sisters and four brothers. (Joan has two sisters and 1 brother). My mother was especially close to Kathryn, Edwin’s mother. Ed, an only child, piloted a plane over the English Channel on D-Day. He could still recall Sing For Christmas at his 100th birthday. He died at 102. I am heartened that my family and many young couples are choosing to have children and raise them to know and love our savior Jesus who came to us as an infant one holy night.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, let all within us praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever! His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim! His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
Pathways Press.com 