Susan Bailey writes: From time to time I get more new stuff than I can schedule into the GrapeVine News Minute Podcast or the magazine, so I will mention it here. Sean Ward from CatholicTV in Boston, MA sent me a note yesterday about Advent reflections that they are doing on the website. If you have not visited this site before, be sure and visit it. All their programming is online, proving once again that CatholicTV is staying ahead of the curve. You can find their Advent programs where it says "Now Playing - CATHOLICTV SERIES" - scroll down a bit to find the Advent link. Of their Advent programming, Sean writes, "Check out Fr. Bill Kelly. He has a different reflection every week (along with the other four priests). Beginning next week they are sung. CatholicTV's Advent programming is underway. Each day of the Advent calendar we have a different reflection. Think of it as your thought for the day as you wait for Jesus birthday." Artists have certainly been busy! Just within the last week I've received 3 wonderful new projects, one of which (Popple's new release, "Plaid") will be profiled in the Winter issue of GrapeVine, coming out in February. My schedule with the podcast is full for this month but I just had to mention these two new releases that I've received related to Christmas. Mike Zabrocki has put out his first Christmas project and it contains some traditional songs that I've not heard before including my favorite, "The Cherry Tree Carol" which he does with his wife, Laura. There's also a great Advent hymn on it, "Come O Lord." Listen to samples on Mike's MySpace site. Tom Franzak has put out a wonderful new project which includes members of his family (and they all sing very well!). The packaging for this CD is very unusual and really catches the eye. When it first arrived in my mailbox and I opened the package, I thought it was a Christmas card. That's because the package is designed to be just that. The inside contains the CD, lyrics to all the original songs and a picture of Tom and his family. It's beautifully done. I listened on the way into work this morning and really enjoyed hearing both spiritually-based songs ("Emmanuel," "Behold the Child," "Let It Be Done," etc.) and songs with traditional secular Christmas themes ("A Christmas Card," "On Christmas Day," "Through the Eyes of a Child," etc.). I always love anything that's new and innovative. Tom's daughter Lucy, especially, is a wonderful singer. Great job, all you Franzaks! You can find their project at www.littlewaychristmas.com. That's it for now. Stay tuned for this weekend's podcast which will feature Lynn Geyer talking about her Merry Christmas New York City show at Carnegie Hall. Peace and Happy Advent! Susan Bailey

Imagine by Nancy Krebs Looking at a newborn baby, nestled in your arms; you can’t believe how perfect she is, you can’t believe her charms. Imagine that this child you hold would someday grow to be the Mother of your God, the Lord of you and me. That’s what happened long ago in a country far away. Two people watched their little girl at work, at home, at play. She always did her best, she did what she was told; a child so very perfect, they never had to scold. They never imagined, how could they imagine what her future was to be, the glories she would see. They never imagined, really imagined that all hope would begin with their child who was born without sin. As she was growing up, her kindness knew no bound The room just seemed to light up whenever she was around. There was no single virtue that she did not possess; there was no single sin that she would need to confess. When she was fully grown an angel came to her. Bringing her the message and the honor God would confer. She would be the Mother of the Son of God no less. The plan would unfold with her simple answer “yes”. She never imagined, how could she imagine? What her future was to be, the glories she would see. We never imagined, really imagined; our salvation would begin with this child who was born without sin. What a life she did begin this child who was born without sin.

As a way of honoring Mary, this iMix is made up of songs from the CD Sing of Mary by Gretchen Harris. The selections are part traditional, part contemporary, but all are a heart-felt tribute to the Blessed Mother!

Just found this in one of my older hymnals. They just don't craft songs like this anymore. The Coming of Our God C. Coffin, 1676-1749. Tr R. Campbell, 1814-1868, and compilers The coming of our God Our thoughts must now employ Then let us meet Him on the road With songs of holy joy. The co-eternal Son A Maiden's offspring see; A servant's form Christ putteth on To set His people free Daughter of Sion, rise To greet thine infant King; Nor let thy stubborn heart despise The pardon he doth bring. In glory from His throne Again will Christ descend And summon all that are His own To joys that never end. Let deeds of darkness fly Before the approaching morn, For unto sin 'tis ours to die And serve the Virgin-born. Our joyful praises sing To Christ, that set us free; Like tribute to the Father bring, And Holy Ghost, to Thee.

Susan Bailey writes:

Wait with Me is based on readings from a book detailing the locutions received by Fr. Don Stefano Gobbi, the founder of the Marian Movement of Priests from the Blessed Mother. In these readings, Mary speaks about her waiting for the Christ Child to be born. I found these readings to be a wonderful way to reflect upon Advent, a beautiful season of joyful expectation that is so overshadowed by the noise and chaos of the commercial Christmas of the world. Written in the first person and arranged and performed in a simple and peaceful manner, you can imagine the Blessed Mother sharing her reflections with you on the coming of Christ Jesus as a baby into the world. This song is available on through iTunes, and is on two albums: Wait with Me: Advent of the Promised Son and Mater Dei. Visit my website to see how you can purchase the albums. You can listen to the song in its entirety here (or here for dial-up users).

Wait with Me based on #462, #484 and #508 of To the Priests, Our Lady’s Beloved Sons by Don Stefano Gobbi Beloved child, enter in this mystery This blessed time as we wait for the Holy Son Come inside of my immaculate heart And wait with me, oh wait for Him to come! Come feel my sigh of expectation The spark of love, the moan of desire As I wait now in labor With a love that burns like fire The nightime comes and darkness swallows The fading light, the end of day And yet His light envelopes me In His ecstasy, His way Prepare your hearts now for this moment In quiet solitude and song And let the tranquil peace of soul Mark the passage of night to dawn

Here are the top Advent songs as voted upon by the TopCatholicSongs community. We had nominated Advent-oriented songs from our own repertoires, and then instituted a vote as to which songs were the best.

These artists represent the best that Catholic music has to offer:

1. Promised Messiah by Gretchen Harris
2. O Come O Come Emmanuel by Kitty Cleveland, (a medley with Coventry Carol)
3. Comfort Comfort by Maureen and Bill Hayes
4. Holy Is His Name by Lynn Geyer
5. A Child Shall Lead by Lynn Geyer
6. Something's Gonna Come by Joel Stein
7. Waiting for the Christ Child by Nancy Krebs
8. Magnificat by Trish Foti Genco
9. In the Stillness by Trish Foti Genco
10. Day of the Lord by Deacon Chuck Stevens.
11. Wait With Me by Susan Bailey.

Advent is a joyous, hope-filled, incredible Season, that makes participating in the Christmas Season all the more precious. I cannot reccommend these songs highly enough, and see these songs as a helpful reminder that Christ's coming to us, first as a baby in the manger, and second from the clouds.

I just rediscovered this hymn in my Westminster Hymnal. Enjoy!

Hail Redeemer, King Divine

Hail Redeemer King divine! Priest and Lamb, the throne is thine, King, whose reign shall never cease, Prince of everlasting peace. Angels, saints and nations sing "Praised be Jesus Christ, our King; Lord of life, earth sky and sea, King of love on Calvary." King, whose name creation thrills Rule our minds, our hearts our wills Till in peace each nation rings With thy praises, King of Kings. (to chorus...) King most holy, King of Truth, Guide the lowly, guide the youth Christ thou King of glory bright Be to us eternal light.(to chorus...) Shepherd King, o'er mountains steep Homeward bring the wandering sheep; Shelter in one royal fold States and kingdoms, new and old. (to chorus...) WERDE MUNTER, J. Schop, c. 1664.

Here is a list of favorite songs of Dave Gawron, of the band, ServantSong.

Says Dave:
Man, I LOVE those songs! Hopefully some fellow musicians will hear some of them for the first time and love them too.

Nick Alexander here...

When I was nine years old, I had dropped the chance to be Simon.... from Alvin and the Chipmunks.

My family had just moved to New York City, and my mother took a sales job at Macy's. One of the perks of working there is that, every Thanksgiving, you and your family all had to trudge yourself out of bed at three-o-clock in the morning, head over to a decrepid warehouse, one which had been converted into a huge costuming facility, and get yourselves made up into any number of costumes, to march in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

It was my first time, and I was looking forward to being a clown. We were to march in front of the Muppet bus--the same schoolbus that was in The Muppet Movie. All the muppet characters were inside the bus, looking out, waving to thousands of children on the streets, and millions of viewers in their homes. It was exciting.

But while I waited in line, there was this costume facilitator wandering throughout the lines, calling for anyone to be "Simon". The one who was supposed to be Simon called out sick, and he needed a tall replacement. I happened to have been tall for my age, the perfect height, and so he singled me out. "Wanna be Simon?"

Being my first time, I was confused. I didn't want to separate from my sister, and, well, I was scared. This was uncharted territory. I was trained to be a clown. I could handle being a clown. There were thousands of clowns at this event, and I could smile and be goofy in relative anonymity. But ... a Chipmunk? I'd be the center of attention, (for a little bit), and have to shake hands with tons of children.

The man came to me three times. Three times I refused. I had to be the clown. And to think, for all these years, having memories of being a clown in the parade, I could have been Simon.

So, this Thanksgiving, I thank God for the choices I've faced throughout my life, and the blessings that God had given to me. But many of these same blessings were the result of hard, crazy choices that, had I refused, would never had come again. I've since learned that I have to trust Him, even when presented with a crazy opportunity, knowing that He would be there to bring more blessings from it. Most of my wonderful blessings in life came as a result of trusting God in uncharted territory for me--including converting to the Catholic Church.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody. Give Thanks to our wonderful Lord, who always has a tremendous plan for your lives, a tremendous crazy opportunity that would mix the best of your talents, the uniqueness of your character, with the needs of the community that you live in. Who raises up incredible saints.

And be sure to check out the Thanksgiving related posts on this board.

Gerard Faucheux writes:

By Your Hand is my interpretation of Matthew 6:25-34. After over twenty years of marriage (and just recently leaving my 30's behind) and constant employment with regular raises, I am still amazed that we seem to be doing just as well as when we first started out together. It doesn't seem to matter how much money I make, or how hard I work - we always seem to be making just enough. Sometimes things get tough, usually when I get so wrapped up in trying to handle everything on my own, but when I come to my senses and call out to God, things ALWAYS work out! I feel like God wants to keep me in a place where I know that I need Him as my provider, as my heavenly Father. Why do I forget so often?

Lord, I am SO thankful for the many blessings that You have given us throughout our lives. I had no choice of where or when I would be born. I know that because of You, well, I've got it pretty good. Thank you for being faithful to me, even when I lost my way. I hope that I am being a faithful servant with the gifts that I have been given. Thank you Lord!

By Your Hand
Words and music by Gerard C. Faucheux, Sr.

I could work from dawn till dusk, every minute I'm awake
I could work my fingers to the bone
It really doesn't matter how much money I could make
It would never be enough on my own.

By Your hand I am fed
By Your hand I am clothed
By Your hand I am sheltered
By Your hand I'm made whole
Where would I be without You Lord
For by Your hand I am. By Your hand I am.

Think about the birds they neither sow nor reap nor store
Yet we're worth so much more than them.
And think about the lilies they do not spin, they do no chores
But Solomon never dressed as well as them.

So I won't worry about what I eat or wear
I'll just put my trust in You.
I'll seek You first and Your righteousness
'cause that is all I have to do.

Copyright © 2005 Gerard C. Faucheux, Sr.

Thanksgiving is coming up in a week. If you were to choose your favorite songs that offer Thanks to God, what will they be?

Grapevine is a great magazine which highlights the efforts of Catholic Musicians from all styles and ministries. They have an online edition, or you can purchase a quality bound edition for your library.

This month features:

Donut Man
Merry Christmas New York City
Spirit Wing Records
Christ Music Kids
Bernie Choiniere
A new column about podcasts from the Catholic Mom

Plus news, reviews, artist updates. David Wang wrote an excellent column about artist's creativity in comparison with mainstream music. And I, Nick Alexander, got to write a column based on the Top 10 Traditional and Contemporary Advent Songs You Need to know. These lists will appear here shortly.

What is "TopCatholicSongs"? TopCatholicSongs is a service to all Catholics, to provide a way to share the best that Catholic Music has to offer. This is a site to keep coming back to, to discover new artists, new songs, new styles, that speak to who you are as a dynamic Catholic Christian. To speak to issues that you are dealing with. To communicate our awesome beliefs about our faith, our love for Jesus Christ, our commitment to church teaching. It will be consistent with the myriad apsects of Catholic faith. It will reinforce themes on the liturgical calendar. It will speak to you, encourage you, bless you. If you have very little knowledge about the Catholic music "scene", this is the perfect place to start. It will open your doors to the incredible variety there is within Catholic artists, whether from contemporary flavors or from our ancient heritage. It will also cut to the chase, providing the best Catholic music can offer. The songs are chosen from a committed private group of lovers of Catholic music, whether from musicians themselves, to A&R reps, to radio/podcast djs, to the fans. The songs need to be nominated to be chosen, and the artists themselves nominate their own songs. Bookmark this page as it will continue to change over the next few months, as more lists come up. As artists share their story, or their influences, or their favorite songs, or insightful commentary. And if you are a Catholic musician that wants their music to be counted, the you have to join the forums. There is no initiation fee. There is no paperwork. But what you get out of it is a greater publicity for your music. It is the goal of this board that both the major Catholic labels and the indie Catholic musicians get to both benefit from the spirit of healthy competition, and that those interested in discovering Catholic music would benefit the most. Catholic music has lied dormant for too long now, and here is a tremendous opportunity to change things around. If you have any questions, feel free to email me, or to ask on the comment page.