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The White Christmas and other Merry
The White Christmas and other Merry

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The White Christmas and other Merry is here in full — 355 sentences across 71 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The White Christmas and other Merry
Context Illustration Reading 69/71 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Hark!
The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The White Christmas and other Merry

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The White Christmas and other Merry is here in full — 355 sentences across 71 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 69/71 · 5 reading units · Lines 341–345

Line 1
Hark!
/hɑːrk/
Line 2
The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!
Line 3
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."
/piːs ɑːn ɜːrθ ənd ˈmɜːrsi maɪld ɡɑːd ənd ˈsɪnərz ˈrekənsaɪld/
Line 4
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."
/ˈdʒɔɪfəl ɔːl jiː ˈneɪʃənz raɪz dʒɔɪn ðə ˈtraɪəmf ʌv ðə skaɪz wɪð ˈtiːˈeɪtʃ ˌænˈdʒelɪk hoʊst proʊˈkleɪm kraɪst ɪz bɔːrn ɪn ˈbeθlɪhem/
Line 5
Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.
/kraɪst baɪ ˈhaɪəst ˈhevən əˈdɔːrd kraɪst ðə ˌevərˈlæstɪŋ lɔːrd leɪt ɪn taɪm bɪˈhoʊld hɪm kʌm ˈɔːfsprɪŋ ʌv ðə ˈfeɪvərd wʌn/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

angelic adjective US /ˌænˈdʒelɪk/

marked by utter benignity; resembling or befitting an angel or saint

From this reading “Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."”

Bethlehem noun US /ˈbeθlɪhem/

a town in eastern Pennsylvania on the Lehigh River to the northwest of Philadelphia; an important center for steel production

From this reading “Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."”

favored adjective US /ˈfeɪvərd/

preferred above all others and treated with partiality

From this reading “Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.”

herald verb US /ˈherəld/

foreshadow or presage

From this reading “The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!”

Offspring noun US /ˈɔːfsprɪŋ/

the immediate descendants of a person

From this reading “Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.”

proclaim verb US /proʊˈkleɪm/

declare formally; declare someone to be something; of titles

From this reading “Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."”

reconciled adjective US /ˈrekənsaɪld/

made compatible or consistent

From this reading “Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."”

sinners noun US /ˈsɪnərz/

plural of “sinner” — a person who sins (without repenting)

From this reading “Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."”

All words in this reading · 51

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adoredadjectiveUS /əˈdɔːrd/

regarded with deep or rapturous love (especially as if for a god)

From this reading Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."

angelicadjectiveUS /ˌænˈdʒelɪk/

marked by utter benignity; resembling or befitting an angel or saint

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

angelsnounUS /ˈeɪndʒəlz/

plural of “angel” — spiritual being attendant upon God

From this reading The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!

beholdverbUS /bɪˈhoʊld/

see with attention

From this reading Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.

BethlehemnounUS /ˈbeθlɪhem/

a town in eastern Pennsylvania on the Lehigh River to the northwest of Philadelphia; an important center for steel production

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/

brought into existence

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.

ChristnounUS /kraɪst/

a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.

earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."

everlastingadjectiveUS /ˌevərˈlæstɪŋ/

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.

favoredadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪvərd/

preferred above all others and treated with partiality

From this reading Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.

GlorynounUS /ˈɡlɔːri/

a state of high honor

From this reading The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!

GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."

HarkverbUS /hɑːrk/

listen; used mostly in the imperative

From this reading Hark!

HeavennounUS /ˈhevən/

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.

heraldverbUS /ˈherəld/

foreshadow or presage

From this reading The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!

highestadjectiveUS /ˈhaɪəst/

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.

HimpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.

hostnounUS /hoʊst/

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

JoinverbUS /dʒɔɪn/

become part of; become a member of a group or organization

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

JoyfuladjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪfəl/

full of or producing joy

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

KingnounUS /kɪŋ/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!

LateadjectiveUS /leɪt/

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.

LordnounUS /lɔːrd/

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.

mercynounUS /ˈmɜːrsi/

leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice

From this reading Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."

mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/

moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme

From this reading Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."

nationsnounUS /ˈneɪʃənz/

plural of “nation” — a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

new-born

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

OffspringnounUS /ˈɔːfsprɪŋ/

the immediate descendants of a person

From this reading Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.

PeacenounUS /piːs/

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."

proclaimverbUS /proʊˈkleɪm/

declare formally; declare someone to be something; of titles

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

reconciledadjectiveUS /ˈrekənsaɪld/

made compatible or consistent

From this reading Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."

riseverbUS /raɪz/

move upward

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

singverbUS /sɪŋ/

deliver by singing

From this reading The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!

sinnersnounUS /ˈsɪnərz/

plural of “sinner” — a person who sins (without repenting)

From this reading Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."

skiesnounUS /skaɪz/

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

thnounUS /ˈtiːˈeɪtʃ/

the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!

triumphnounUS /ˈtraɪəmf/

a successful ending of a struggle or contest

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

WithprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

yepronounUS /jiː/

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

Chapter 1 of The White Christmas and other Merry by Walter Ben Hare holds 355 sentences, grouped into 71 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of The White Christmas and other Merry contain?

Chapter 1 holds 355 sentences of The White Christmas and other Merry, unabridged, divided into 71 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The White Christmas and other Merry by Walter Ben Hare exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 355 sentences, grouped into 71 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of The White Christmas and other Merry?

Work through the 71 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 71 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The White Christmas and other Merry

Common questions about reading The White Christmas and other Merry by Walter Ben Hare on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The White Christmas and other Merry?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The White Christmas and other Merry is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #?, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The White Christmas and other Merry take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The White Christmas and other Merry section by section

How to work through The White Christmas and other Merry section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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  3. Listen and tap

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Vocabulary met early in The White Christmas and other Merry

Words and structures a reader meets early in The White Christmas and other Merry, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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