The Blog

You’re all invited to a concert tomorrow night at 7:00 pm featuring the Baroque Festival Orchestra at College Church, Wheaton (see directions here). 

Joel is the concertmaster of the “BFO,” which is the advanced student orchestra under conductor Drostan Hall.  Our good friend Conrad will be making his public performing debut as a harpsichordist (he’s normally on piano) at this concert, playing the continuo part.  The concert will feature Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 2.  It would be great to see you there!

There are some traditional blessings that are prayed when lighting the Hanukkah menorah, actually prayers of gratitude to God for the Hanukkah holiday.  There are plenty of places on the web where you can find the traditional blessings, but we’re posting some modified versions of the traditional blessings, which acknowledge our Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus).

Baruch Atah Adonai  Eloheinu Melech Ha-olam Kideshanu B’Yeshua. 
Asher Bishmo Madlikim Anaknu Ner Shel Hanukkah.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified in Yeshua,
In Whose Name we light the Hanukkah lights.

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-olam.
She-Asah Nissim Laavotenu Ba-Yamim Hahem Bazeman Hazeh.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe,
Who performed miracles for our ancestors in days of old, at this season.

(Traditionally the following is added the first night only:)
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloneinu  Melech Ha-olam
She He-he-yanu Vekimanu Vehigianu Lazman Hazeh.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive,
And supported, and helped us to reach this season.

Hanukkah music is so much fun, we wanted to share some with you.  You can download the sheetmusic for two traditional favorites here:

Hanukkah, Hanukkah <hanukkahamhepdf.pdf>  We added some lyrics to speaking of the Messiah to this traditional tune.

Ma-oz Tsur (Rock of Ages) <rock-of-agespdf.pdf> The sheet music contains just one of the verses.  Here are some of the others (including one non-traditional Messianic verse):

Rock of Ages, let our song, praise Thy saving power;
Thou amidst the raging foes, wast our shelt’ring tower.
Furious they assailed us, but Thine Arm availed us;
And Thy Word, broke their sword,
When our own strength failed us.
And Thy Word, broke their sword,
When our own strength failed us.

Children of the martyr race, whether free or fettered,
Wake the echoes of the songs, where ye may be scattered.
Yours the message cheering, that the time is nearing,
Which will see, all men free, tyrants disappearing .
Which will see, all men free, tyrants disappearing .

These dry bones o’er all the earth, lifeless widely scattered,
Spirit of grace and new birth, healing lives that are shattered.
Return Oh Son of David, Restorer of our nation;
King of kings, Lord of lords, Messiah our salvation.
King of kings, Lord of lords, Messiah our salvation.