As I write this from our home in Michigan, the storms pummeling most of the country have brought us lots of white, fluffy snow. It’s been accumulating all over our neighborhood, and has been constantly falling because of the “lake effect”. We love it here in winter! We hope you’ve had a good year, wherever …
Tag: Christmas
Christmas is traditionally celebrated on December 25th as the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ (Luke 2).
Liturgically, Christmas is twelve days in length (hence the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas"), ending on Epiphany (also known as Three Kings' Day).
Churches and celebrants who choose to be less precisely liturgical rejoice with Christmas music (and Epiphany music!) all the way through Advent as well. The important thing is to rejoice, of course.
Nov 29
We Wish You a Merry Christmas – for eight handbells
If you’ve been around for even a short while, this English Christmas carol will be familiar to you. Do you remember going out in the cold (and if you’re in the right area, the snow), and then finishing your visit to each house by singing this song? Here’s our new arrangement of this carol for …
Nov 17
O Holy Night – for twelve handbells
This Christmas classic has been performed and recorded by countless professionals. Our twelve-bell arrangement is fairly accessible, and will bring your congregation into the Christmas season with wonderment and rejoicing. O holy night! the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error …
Nov 08
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (GOD REST YE MERRY) – for eight handbells and piano
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is an 18th century English carol that’s been a source of Christmas celebration for generations. Here’s our arrangement for eight handbells and piano – with a delightful and exciting metric twist! God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay; remember Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas Day to …
Nov 03
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (JEFFERSON) – for twelve handbells plus piano
The words for this Advent hymn fit many hymn tunes such as HYFRYDOL. Here’s our accompanied twelve-bell version on the less well-known hymn tune JEFFERSON. Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope …
Oct 17
Gaudete – for sixteen handbells
Gaudete! is a Christmas song dating back to at least the sixteenth century. You’ll find this sixteen-bell arrangement exciting and fun to play! Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus Ex Maria virgine, gaudete! Tempus adest gratiæ Hoc quod optabamus, Carmina lætitiæ Devote reddamus. Deus homo factus est Natura mirante, Mundus renovatus est A Christo regnante. Ezechielis …
Aug 29
Away in a Manger (CRADLE SONG) – for twelve handbells
Away in a Manger is sung to several melodies; among them are CRADLE SONG/KIRKPATRICK, MURRAY, and NORMANDY. It’s our pleasure to introduce you to our new twelve-bell arrangement of CRADLE SONG by William Kirkpatrick! Our new arrangement of this Christmas song for twelve handbells has versions in Bb major (C5-G5) and C major (D5-A6), so …
Aug 18
Go Tell It on the Mountain – for twelve handbells
The birth of the Christ Child has been an occasion for great joy for centuries. Go Tell It on the Mountain gives us both the command to proclaim the coming of the Savior as well as a song by which to declare it. It’s our pleasure to present our new twelve-bell arrangement! Our new arrangement …
Jul 11
Good Christian Men, Rejoice – for twelve handbells
Rejoice! Rejoice! The Christ Child is born! We have a new twelve-bell arrangement of Good Christian Men, Rejoice that’s exciting, and fun, and joyful. Do take a look, and think about how it might enhance your holiday services! Our new arrangement of this Christmas song for twelve handbells has versions in Bb major (C5-G5) and …
Jun 09
I Saw Three Ships – for twelve handbells
I Saw Three Ships is an English carol that dates back to the seventeenth or eighteenth century. Some people think that the “three ships” were the camels (aka “ships of the desert”) that the Magi rode on their way from the east to Bethlehem. Whether or not this is the reference made by the text, …