Away In A Manger - Celtic Woman (And a Surprise Visitor)

And here's our surprise visitor!

Pat-A-Pan (David Archulet and Orla Fallon)

Who would have thought to pair up Celtic Woman and David Archuleta? Okay, so this not exactly Celtic Woman. Orla Fallon (she's the one with the flaming red hair) who used to be a member of Celtic Woman had her own Christmas special this year and David Archuleta was one of her guests. This is the same arrangement of Pat-a-Pan that was on David's Christmas album last year. Orla is the backup singer prominently displayed over by the grand piano.

(Last December I posted a fan-made video for David's Pat-a-Pan that is one of the best I've ever seen. You can find it here.)

Wexford Carol, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and LDS Women's Book Review Contest

Here are two traditional carols, the "Wexford Carol", from Ireland, and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", from England.





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Now here's a really fantastic contest to enter. Click here to enter.

***Countdown to Christmas Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on Christmas Day for a $25 eGift Card from Deseret Book, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors that will be featured on the blog. Simply post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Christmas author posts to enter. Here are the rules:

* LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.

* Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Christmas" author post will be entered into the drawing. This allows the potential for 24 entries per person at the end of the contest. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.

* Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MST on December 24, 2009. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MST on December 31, 2009 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.

* Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Books that have been generously donated by the author for drawing prizes:

* Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena
* Hidden Branch by G.G. Vandagriff
* Altared Plans by Rebecca Talley
* A Modest Proposal by Michele Ashman Bell (includes a bonus copy of Michele's Christmas booklet, A Candle in the Window)
* Her Good Name by Josi Kilpack
* MISSING by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
* Famous Family Nights by Anne Bradshaw
* Love Letters of Joseph and Emma (autographed copy) by Angela Eschler
* Family Home Evening Adventures by Rebecca Irvine
* Counting the Cost by Liz Adair
* Shudder by Jennie Hansen
* Mormon Mishaps & Mischief by D. N. Giles & C. L. Beck
* Dawn's Early Light by Laurie (L.C.) Lewis

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And don't forget everything else that's going on.

First of all, there's my Boxing Day Giveaway. Just comment on any or all posts from December 1st to 25th. You'll be entered in the drawing once for each post you comment on. I'll draw names on December 26th.

Win a copy of An Angel on Main Street at Kathi Oram Peterson's blog in ">The Angels in Your Life Contest

Win a copy of the Family Record Keeper at Mary Greathouse's blog.

The Wexford Carol - Celtic Woman

The Wexford Carol (also known as the Enniscorthy Carol) is a traditional Irish carol, originating from County Wexford. It's a beautiful retelling of the nativity. The singer is Maeve Ni Mhaolchatha, an original member of Celtic Woman, who has now gone on to pursue a solo career.

Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending his beloved son
With Mary holy we should pray,
To God with love this Christmas Day
In Bethlehem upon that morn,
There was a blessed Messiah born
The night before that happy tide
The noble Virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town
But mark right well what came to pass
From every door repelled, alas
As was foretold, their refuge all
Was but a humble ox's stall
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep
To whom God's angel did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear
Arise and go, the angels said
To Bethlehem, be not afraid
For there you'll find, this happy morn
A princely babe, sweet Jesus, born
With thankful heart and joyful mind
The shepherds went the babe to find
And as God's angel had foretold
They did our Saviour Christ behold
Within a manger he was laid
And by his side a virgin maid
Attending on the Lord of Life
Who came on earth to end all strife
There were three wise men from afar
Directed by a glorious star
And on they wandered night and day
Until they came where Jesus lay
And when they came unto that place
Where our beloved Messiah lay
They humbly cast them at his feet
With gifts of gold and incense sweet.

The First Noel - Advent Calendar Day 24

"In the Bleak Midwinter/The First Noel" - Celtic Woman



"Pastoral Symphony/There Were Shepherds/Glory to God" - Bow Valley Chorus

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Advent Calendar Day 14

This is a fairly new group called "Celtic Woman."



Now staying in the classical vein, but a little more innovative, here is Belle A Capella with their version of the "William Tell Overture."