Harkening the Herald of Heaven and Earth Joined by Michael Doyle
Each carol has its own sort of power, As the music wafts along, filling the hour. The joy of heavenly host and humanity joined in harmony, As our carols march along throughout history.
Harmonize in praise of God; it was not to be missed That Christmastide occurs during the time of the Solstice. Mid-winter had long been a time of pagan celebration, Knowing this caused tension for this Christian declaration.
Most confined church music to acapella and plainsong. Joy and collaboration were said not to belong. Carols were subject to the church's prohibition, Until St. Francis pursued focus on the incarnation.
Turning a decisive eye on God's presence since the Nativity Brought God's walk among us to light without naivety. Harkening to the herald of joy that angels and men would sing, And from this all the blessings this bold carol would bring.
All the quiet moments under God's holy sky added up Until at last, Christ's sacrifice came from Golgotha's cup. Stepping out in faith emboldens souls to atone, And find purpose in keeping God's Son on the kingdom's throne.
This song tells of a time when angels offered a proclamation That called mankind to bravely give our love and dedication. The Mishnah speaks as a matter of venerable interpretation, The witnessing shepherds were priests charged with dedication.
These priests kept the temple sheep for atoning sacrifice. This was done to bear our sins pure enough to suffice. This was an invitation to God's triumph taking place, And it welcomed all of mankind to take part in God's embrace.
We find that the favor of the Lord has been given To all of humanity, and our sins have been forgiven. Praise arose in Heaven and Earth to be given always, In all the places throughout the eternity of all days.
All voices were raised, filled with praise in this holy adoration, This was a time of joy and venerated celebration. This one song celebrates the Christ child as He arrived, And as a praise song, Hark the Herald, has blessedly survived.
Looking back on the beginning's obscurity, It is clear that Christ came to us cloaked in humility. Chasm and divide were filled with their second chances, And so were given grace in our Lord's sacred dance.
From the manger's crib to Calvary's cross, victory was won. God had come to walk among us in the shape of His son. The triumph needed was given, spread, and deeply believed By Christ's holy flock blessed by salvation's plan conceived.
We search our hearts for reasons for our sanctification. Happy enough to spread the Good News of mankind's salvation. As we come together, let us join our lives in an open prayer, Grateful for the God who is always present here.
(c) November 30, 2025 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation. – Luke 3:4-6, citing Isaiah
“And in despair I bowed my head; “There is no peace on earth,” I said; “For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!” Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep! The Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men!” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
In a blind man's eyes We can make the world A lot more wonderful. In a blind man's eyes We can make this world A million shades of beautiful.
If only we would try. You know that I don't lie. Trade your smile for your cry. Give your laugh, not a sigh. We've got to do it or die. Let's give it one more try.
We can do it a whole lot better. We're all in this together. I won't give up on you. Don't you give up on me. We've got a lot to do. It's a world of possibility.
Don't you know that I care? Let's open our hearts to share. I bet we can do it if we dare. Don't point fingers; be fair. Don't touch that sunny dial. Let's keep it stuck on smile.
The world can take until we've had enough. It comes at us demanding we be tough. Taking our dreams when it can, From every woman and every man. When it knocks us down again, Give a helping hand to every friend.
We're all in from the top of our hearts. We'll break through from the very start. We're all in this world together. Come on, let's dare to make it better. Getting knocked down; let's get back up again. Let's lend a hand to all of our friends.
We can do it a whole lot better. We're all in this together. I won't give up on you. Don't you give up on me. We've got a lot to do. It's a world of possibility.
(c) November 29, 2025 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
“Look from the blind man’s eye…. You can paint the picture, the way you like about this world, so why not think positive and make this world more beautiful for yourself and others?” – Fawad Afzal Khan
“Individuality is the aim of political liberty. By leaving to the citizen as much freedom of action and of being as comports with order and the rights of others, the institutions render him truly a freeman. He is left to pursue his means of happiness in his own manner.” – James F. Cooper
“Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and, as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many.” – William Bradford
Macy's 99th Thanksgiving Day Parade by Michael Doyle
A slight smile replaces my poker face As I rush with everyone to find my place. This beautiful parade of yours and mine Comes just like an early Valentine.
A little special love shines our way, Brought to us from Macy's on Thanksgiving Day. Balloons are the only inflation that we love As we watch the characters float above.
They say this is the 99th anniversary. This excitement doesn't need unnecessary controversy. In my life, from boy to man, I might qualify as some kind of super fan.
From Felix the Cat to places to explore, There's always room for at least one more. Starting from zoos around for the Christmas Season, If you need to smile, Macy's has its reasons.
As the Cuban band plays out its second chances, Romance in this city gives cause to dance. Infectious in rhythm, we hear the glory, Lost in love with its musical stories.
Watching Radio City Rockettes kick it out, This joy from New York City removed all doubt. Elves make snow angels in powders of gran flour. It feels like 60 magical moments in every hour.
Ragtime memories whisper of veneration In Broadway memories of those generations. I watch, still filled with childlike bliss Filling each moment with an absurdity of happiness.
The commercials end in time for Mack the Knife As we look back on yesterday's slice of life. Dancing shoes are needed on this street. No one can stop the feeling of our dancing feet
Tom Turkey strutted across Herald Square As big brothers and sisters take the dare, Just in time for another marching band To meet this season's flow and demand.
The best of life's stories began here With our laughter replacing any fear. With a world to explore, a circus is made The passion flows across free and unafraid.
Even Elmo is tickled by the pumpkin pie. No one on Sesame Street wonders why. It's a sunny but freezing kind of day. I suppose that's fitting for Thanksgiving's way.
Another supposition is that it fits the festivity That Macy's focused on the fine art of inclusivity. The Green Giant reminded us all of what's good, And with a wink and a nudge, it became understood.
This year, I am without my beautiful daughters, And reminded of what it is to be a divorced father. There is a little light refusing to go out inside of me. It's their love that always shines so brightly.
Of course, Disney was along for the ride, The biggest thing missing was patriotic pride. Still, the story told is of American culture With plenty of good things that we love to nurture.
Art and the canvas are worked within the design. One float at a time, and its just fine. Quietly, I slowly turned off my phone And continued to enjoy my unmanaged time alone.
Kool and the Gang reminded us it's a celebration As Thanksgiving was spread across the nation. Soon the turkey will be a stuck fork called done, And soon after that, I'll be the stuffed one.
Smokey the Bear was on parade against forest fires And Snoopy's legacy still fills us with childlike desire. There's probably nothing more American than this parade. It's made up of ingenuity and our dreams made.
This living work of art spirals with a familiarity That for 99 years has been right for the family. Block by block, this is a clockwork memory. I'd watch it forever quite happily.
Thank goodness so few others would change these ways. Not here. Nor there. This is part of Thanksgiving Day. Stranger things happen but they should not. This is a day of love that should never be forgot.
I am thankful for all that I hear and see. So I say thank you the network, NBC. They bring his parade to you and me, And all my life this has helped keep me happy.
In the end, sheep carry us to sleep. This parade is about to get Santa deep. Returning full circle to Christmas dreams, It turns out that Santa is as real as he seems.
Sometimes, I love these ivory towers. They pack so much magic into these past hours. All this beautiful song and magical dance Brings warmth, giving Thanksgiving and Christmas their chance.
(c) November 27, 2025 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
Heading out of Australia to escape this Aussie winter. First stop Japan, then UK/Ireland and if work doesn't call me back, onto Chicago. I will make it up as I go along
ALOHA PROMISES FOREVER 